Star Wars’next movie,The Mandalorian And Grogu, already has the perfect villain—and it isn’t who everyone is predicting. Of allStar Wars’upcoming movies,The Mandalorian and Groguis one of only two with a confirmed release date (the other beingStar Wars: Starfighter). With its Jul 06, 2025, release date, though,The Mandalorian and Groguis the next to be released, and its debut is less than a year away.
Perhaps because of that timeline and the sparse details on other upcomingStar Warsprojects,updates onThe Mandalorian and Groguand theories about what the story will entail have been a major focus. Currently, very fewcharacters are confirmed to be inThe Mandalorian and Grogu, which leaves story details difficult to guess. However,there’s one major theory about whoThe Mandalorian and Grogu’smain villain will be, and I think we have it all wrong.
Everyone’s Convinced Grand Admiral Thrawn Will Return In The Mandalorian And Grogu
He Seems Like The Most Obvious Choice After Ahsoka Season 1
At present,Grand Admiral Thrawn is not among the confirmed characters appearing inThe Mandalorian and Grogu. Yet, many are convinced Thrawn will be the main villain inThe Mandalorian and Grogu, especially following hisAhsokaseason 1 appearance.TheAhsokaseason 1 endingin particular seemed to position Thrawn as a villain significant enough to star inStar Wars’next story on the big screen.
Specifically, at the end ofAhsoka, Thrawn made his way off Peridea (along with Ezra Bridger as a stowaway) and had obvious intentions to return to the mainStar Warsgalaxy and bring togetherthe Imperial Remnant. With this plan, Thrawn no doubt plans to bring about a new Empire, this time with himself at the helm. This certainly does seem like an ideal villain arc for a brand-newStar Warsmovie.
This would also make sense as it positions Thrawn as the New Republic’s biggest adversary.TheMandalorianseason 3 endingrevealed that Din Djarin will begin working with the New Republic on a case-by-case basis. Surely, if the New Republic then faced a threat as massive as Thrawn/a new Empire, Din and Grogu would get involved.
This would also make sense as it positions Thrawn as the New Republic’s biggest adversary.
The fact of the matter is, though,there’s simply no evidence that Thrawn will be the villain. He’s been a key figure inAhsoka Tano’sStar Warstimeline, not only withAhsokabut also inStar Wars Rebels. Yet, at least thus far, he’s had no bearing onThe Mandalorianstory. This would be a significant jump, and, as it’s not currently confirmed Thrawn is appearing in the movie at all, I think there’s a much more obvious main villain forThe Mandalorian and Grogu.
Elia Kane Became A Major Villain In The Mandalorian Season 3
Elia Kane Was A Legitimately Frightening Character In The Mandalorian Season 3
Although Elia Kane has presented herself as a reformed former Imperial, part of the New Republic’s Amnesty Program,The Mandalorianseason 3 revealed that Elia has actually been working for Moff Gideon undercover. In addition to this obvious betrayal of the New Republic, Elia’s cruelty was on full display inThe Mandalorianseason 3. This was most clear during the scene in which she tortured Dr. Pershing.
Earlier on in season 3, Elia Kane had seemingly befriended Dr. Pershing, even encouraging him to continue his research (against the rules of the New Republic). She then betrayed Pershing, bringing attention to the secret work he was doing. When the New Republic then tried to use an altered mind flayer on Dr. Pershing to (gently, in theory) address lingering Imperial ideology, Elia asked to stay in the room alone and oversee this treatment.
Once alone,Elia Kane cranked up the dial on the device, effectively torturing Dr. Pershing. This alone revealed how brutal and evil Elia could be, which is enough to establish her as a compelling villain. The reveal that Elia is secretly working with the Imperial Remnant as a double agent within the New Republic only makes her an even better villain. Particularly with Moff Gideon’s death inThe Mandalorianseason 3, in fact, Elia is primed to be a major villain.
Particularly with Moff Gideon’s death inThe Mandalorianseason 3, in fact, Elia is primed to be a major villain.
The Mandalorian Season 3 Set Up Din Djarin Taking On Imperials For The Republic
This Could Put Him Directly In The Path Of Elia Kane
As mentioned, Din Djarin confirmed that he would be helping the New Republic moving forward. This almost certainly means weeding out the Imperials who are hiding within the New Republic’s ranks, as they are, at present, the most dangerous threat to the New Republic. Given Din’s history, he would also be particularly helpful in this capacity.
With Elia Kane working as an Imperial spy within the New Republic, it’s conceivable that the two would end up crossing paths. Were this the case, it could be Din Djarin himself who exposes Elia Kane’s true nature and has to take her down. While that might not sound as epic as Din Djarin going head-to-head with Grand Admiral Thrawn, Elia Kane simply makes so much sense as the main villain for the next stage of Din Djarin’s story.
Elia Kane Is The Perfect Villain For The Mandalorian And Grogu Movie
This Would Connect The Mandalorian TV Show And The Mandalorian And Grogu Brilliantly
I completely understand why many want to see Grand Admiral Thrawn as the main villain inThe Mandalorian and Grogu. Thrawn is already a belovedStar Warscharacter, and he has the right threat level and significance to serve as the main villain on the big screen. Arguably, though,in terms of Din Djarin’s story, Elia Kane is the right choice.
For one,The Mandalorianseason 3 remains highly criticized, and many believe that this is the worst season of the show by far. Having a major connection such as this one betweenThe Mandalorian and GroguandThe Mandalorianseason 3 would potentially soften these criticisms to a certain degree and would help clarify and explain some season 3 choices. GivenThe Mandalorian and Groguwill be the culmination of all three seasons, narratively, this would make so much sense.
GivenThe Mandalorian and Groguwill be the culmination of all three seasons, narratively, this would make so much sense.
Of course, Elia, like Thrawn, is also not confirmed forThe Mandalorian and Grogu. Currently, there’s no saying for sure who the main villain of this movie will be. Even so, from what we know so far, Elia Kane would be a brilliant choice for the main villain inStar Wars’next movie,The Mandalorian and Grogu.
The Mandalorian and Grogu
Cast
The Mandalorian and Grogu is a Star Wars movie directed by Jon Favreau that continues Disney+’s immensely popular TV Show, The Mandalorian.
The Mandalorian
Released on August 01, 2025 The Mandalorian follows a lone gunfighter navigating the galaxy’s outer reaches after the Galactic Empire’s fall. As a skilled bounty hunter, he operates in a lawless universe, undertaking various missions on the fringes of the New Republic’s territories.
