The Mandalorian and Grogu: A Big Game Bust?

With the newest Star Wars animated series, Maul: Shadow Lord debuting a month from now, it's a great time to get caught up with all-things Maul. We check out interview clips featuring the voice of Maul, Sam Witwer talking about where Maul's head is at during the series. We review the first issue of Marvel Comics "Shadow of Maul" prequel series and learn a little about the supporting cast of the upcoming show and the planet Janix, along with merch for Maul: Shadow Lord emerging from NY ToyFair. Ducks are canon in Star Wars? We look at examples of "duck" references throughout the years. "Tauntaun Talk" returns with Tauntaun v. Hamburgler, and a hilarious Tauntaun moment from South Park.

We broke down the new trailer for The Mandalorian and Grogu last week, so this week, we hear what YOU think. The RFR Voicemail inbox was overstuffed with your opinions, observations, speculations and hot takes. We look at news reports that suggest The Mandalorian and Grogu Super Bowl commercial failed to make the desired impact, according to insiders. How many times will you see the Mando movie in the theaters? We share our thoughts and discuss the reasons why people are avoiding going to theaters like they once did. Plus, nostalgia for Star Wars prequel bootlegs, and "Tauntaun Talk" with The Top Three Greatest Tauntaun Moments of All Time, the shortcomings of digital Hutts and more.

We're diving deep into the newly released, official Mandalorian and Grogu trailer with a complete breakdown and in-depth analysis. From major reveals to blink-and-you'll-miss-it details, we're examining every frame the way only RFR can. And after we wrapped up our breakdown, we turned it over to you — the phone lines were on fire with your reactions, observations, and theories. Plus, Jake's Take! Experience the trailer shot-by-shot with the RFR community!

Tauntauns! We review The Mandalorian and Grogu Super Bowl ad and our switchboard is overflowing with your opinions and comments. The RFR audience has a lot to say about the "Big Game" commercial for the upcoming film. Maul: Shadow Lord is coming soon and will it feature the long-desired showdown between Darth Maul and Darth Vader? Is there a Star Wars/Avengers Marvel Comics crossover on the horizon? Plus, we review the all-new Marvel Comics Jar Jar book co-written by Ahmed Best and more.

Another corporate leadership shakeup that will impact Star Wars has happened as Bob Iger's successor (s) were named this week with Bob stepping down in March. We look at the new bosses and speculate how they will impact Star Wars and Lucasfilm.  We have new updates from our Bothan spies about the Star Wars Original Trilogy 4k remaster upgrade coming to theaters next year. Hear fresh details about the visuals, the audio mix and work being done on deleted scenes.  Marvel head honcho Kevin Feige was once attached to a Star Wars film project but the deal went belly up. What was Feige's Star Wars pitch all about? We'll tell you what we recently heard and the surprising connection his script had with some old Expanded Universe villains.  Plus, discussion about Maul: Shadow Lord, new updates about Taika Waititi's Star Wars film project, currently in developmental hell, and Save The Date for the RFR Mandalorian and Grogu After Show Live happening in Cleveland this May. Listen for details and we'll see you there!  

We walk you through a shot-by-shot breakdown of the new teaser trailer for Maul: Shadow Lord and we review all-new information about the plot and characters. As always, we look for clues about the story and predict what will happen in the upcoming animated series. Plus, more about the upcoming Original Trilogy changes to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, and does Dave Filoni really hate Andor, as rumored? Plus, listener feedback and more! 

When Kathleen Kennedy left her position as president of Lucasfilm last week, she left behind a ton of Star Wars projects in various states of production. From James Mangold's "Dawn of the Jedi" and Dave Filoni's Mandoverse epic, to potential films from Simon Kinberg, Taika Waititi, Steven Soderberg, Donald Glover and more, we look closely at that long list and try to determine which films may still actually happen under the supervision of Lucasfilm's new regime. Plus, listener feedback, Star Wars in Pop Culture and more.

BREAKING NEWS: Kathleen Kennedy's control of Lucasfilm and Star Wars has come to an end. We review some telling highlights from Kathy's exit interview and discuss her Star Wars legacy. With Dave Filoni taking charge of Lucasfilm, does this mean George Lucas will return to the fold? We share our thoughts. Disney revealed a facelift is coming to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland as Original Trilogy characters and situations will be incorporated into the theme park this April. We review all the information about the changes and offer our opinions. Star Wars: Starfighter will feature lightsaber duels and none other than Tom Cruise stopped by the set to jump behind the camera to shoot a sequence. We look at a fresh interview with director Shawn Levy and speculate which characters will be involved in the duel and why. Mark Hamill recently discussed The Force Awakens and the lack of a reunion between Han, Luke and Leia. Find out why such a get together never materialized. Plus, we got interview highlights from Mia Goth, Oscar Isaac and more!

We review the latest rumors which indicate the time has come for Lucasfilm's Kathleen Kennedy to step down from her leadership role to concentrate on producing films and Dave Filoni will be stepping up to have full creative control of the Star Wars franchise. We look at the pros and cons. We share memories of when Genndy Tartakovsky's Clone Wars microseries premiered as a series of shorts on Cartoon Network back in 2003. A new still photo from The Mandalorian and Grogu was released this week and we look at the budget for the film and speculate on potential box office success. Plus, we dig deep into some Jon Favreau interview quotes for clues, revisit the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, Star Wars in Pop Culture features Stranger Things and more!

We're wrapping up a great year for Star Wars and Rebel Force Radio as we celebrate the season with friends and family. Noted and acclaimed Star Wars author/illustrator Christopher J. Sorrentino aka "Baby Belushi" ("Nerdy, Dirty, and Tasteless Star Wars Jokes IV") joins us for the whole show as we look back at the Star Wars year that was. We break down everything of importance that happened in Star Wars and RFR throughout 2025. From Skeleton Crew to Andor to The Hunt for Ben Solo and all stops in between, we review it all.  Keeping within the family theme of the holidays, Dylan McInerney joins us In The Cantina. RFR interviewed Dylan Mac 15 years ago after he watched The Original Trilogy for the first time when he was just 7 years old. Now, Dylan returns to RFR to answer the same questions we originally asked him back in 2010. How have his answers and opinions changed over the years and how have they stayed the same? Join us to find out!  Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year from your Star Wars pals at Rebel Force Radio! See you in 2026!