It’s A Tragedy This Mandalorian Character Will Never Be On The Big Screen

The Mandalorian and Grogu will undoubtedly be a thrilling new addition to Star Wars movies and TV shows. Nearly seven years after Star Wars’ most recent new theatrical release, which was Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, released on December 20, 2019, The Mandalorian and Grogu will define a brand-new era of Star Wars movies and no doubt mean a major shift in the franchise.

For one, this movie represents the very first time a Star Wars TV show’s story and characters have made the transition to the big screen, which just goes to show how popular The Mandalorian was. What’s more, this movie will (presumably) have nothing to do with the Skywalkers, the Jedi, or the Sith, making it a rarity in the larger franchise. In fact, the only other two movies that fit that bill are Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Solo: A Star Wars Story, both of which still feel very tied to the original trilogy.

In that sense, The Mandalorian and Grogu is really one of a kind in Star Wars, and it also stars two of Star Wars’ most popular characters. Given all of that, it’s no surprise that The Mandalorian and Grogu is one of the most exciting projects among Star Wars’ upcoming movies. However, amid the excitement, there is the sad reality that one of the best characters in The Mandalorian isn’t going to appear in the movie—and the reason why makes this fact even more devastating.

Greef Karga Can’t Appear In The Mandalorian And Grogu

Beloved character from The Mandalorian, Greef Karga, won’t be appearing in The Mandalorian and Grogu, as the actor for Greef, Carl Weathers, sadly passed away in February of 2024. Greef had played a key role in The Mandalorian for all three seasons. Originally introduced as something like an antagonist to Din Djarin, in large part because Greef initially prioritized the Bounty Hunters Guild essentially above all else, Greef ultimately became a very good friend to Din and to Grogu.

In fact, it was Greef who gave Din Djarin and Grogu their home on Nevarro in The Mandalorian season 3 finale, after Din had officially adopted Grogu. Particularly given that their home is on Nevarro, it also seemed likely that Greef would continue to be a part of Din and Grogu’s lives. With Carl Weathers’ passing, however, that has been made impossible. While Star Wars has occasionally found workarounds or even chosen to recast, neither would feel appropriate here. Sadly, it’s all but certain that Greef Karga is not going to be in this movie.

Star Wars Should Honor Carl Weathers In The Mandalorian And Grogu

Although Carl Weathers/Greef Karga won’t be appearing in The Mandalorian and Grogu, there are still ways that the movie can and should acknowledge Greef Karga and honor Carl Weathers’ memory. Most obviously, the movie should do something to reference Greef and perhaps explain his absence, as the franchise has done before. In fact, (in addition to some morally questionable cinematic tricks), The Rise of Skywalker directly built in a plot line about Princess Leia’s death to honor Carrie Fisher’s real-life passing that had occurred ahead of that movie.

For myriad reasons, Star Wars seems unlikely to do the same thing in The Mandalorian and Grogu, yet, at the very least, Greef deserves to be mentioned in the movie. It would be most meaningful if this were to come from Din Djarin, perhaps acknowledging what Greef had done for and meant to him and Grogu. Whether that will actually happen remains to be seen when the movie is released on May 22. Hopefully, though, Star Wars will have recognized that both this character and beloved actor Carl Weathers deserve some sort of on-screen recognition.