Pedro Pascal had an emotional moment with fans while promoting “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” fighting back tears as the crowd cheered him on during the film’s panel at CCXP Mexico on April 26.
Pascal made a surprise appearance in Mexico City alongside director Jon Favreau ahead of the Disney film’s May 22 release, per The Hollywood Reporter. The movie marks the first theatrical “Star Wars” feature since 2019 and brings Pascal’s Din Djarin character from Disney+’s “The Mandalorian” to the big screen.
Wearing a Mexico men’s 2026 World Cup soccer jersey, Pascal explained how meaningful it was for him to see the story finally make the jump from streaming to theaters. He said that from the beginning, he always hoped the project would eventually become a movie.
“As soon as I saw this, I knew that it would be a new authorship of a streaming experience,” he said. “But I always had a dream in my heart that it would be on a big screen because that’s how I was developed as a child.”
He reflected on growing up going to the movies with his family and watching “Star Wars” films in theaters, adding, “I went to the movie theater so much with my family, and I saw the ‘Star Wars’ movies on the big screen.”
After speaking partly in Spanish to the audience, Pascal became visibly emotional and paused as he tried to hold back tears. Fans immediately started cheering his name. He smiled, continued speaking in Spanish, and blew a kiss to the crowd, creating one of the biggest moments of the panel.
Pedro Says the Film Feels Like a Real Movie Adventure
Earlier this month, Pascal shared similar feelings during an interview with Fandango alongside Favreau and co-star Sigourney Weaver, saying “The Mandalorian and Grogu” gave him the same feeling he had as a kid watching movies for the first time.
“When I was a kid and I would go to the movie theater… I remember just feeling like I went on a ride,” he said, per Rotten Tomatoes. “I haven’t felt that in a long time. And when they locked me in a room and let me read the script for ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu,’ I felt that.”
He said being on set brought that excitement right back.
“It was a feeling of true adventure with characters that are grounded in real relationships and a visual experience that comes from Jon’s imagination,” Pascal said.
He added that Favreau was able to fully “go all out” with the film, giving it the kind of scale and emotional depth that makes it feel like a true big-screen event.
What Fans Can Expect From ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’
According to People, “The Mandalorian and Grogu” picks up after Season 3 of “The Mandalorian,” following Din Djarin and Grogu, also known as Baby Yoda, as they continue their journey after the fall of the Empire.
The official synopsis says the pair help the New Republic track down remaining Imperial warlords while Grogu continues stepping into his powers.
Favreau explained during the CCXP panel that the relationship between Din and Grogu has evolved.
“We wanted to introduce these characters to a new audience,” he said. “But for the fans who have been there forever, we wanted to evolve the relationship.”
He added, “It’s not no longer about the Mandalorian rescuing Grogu. Now Grogu has leveled up. He’s a Mandalorian apprentice. He’s studying under Luke Skywalker. He’s coming into his own.”
The film also stars Sigourney Weaver as New Republic leader Ward, Jeremy Allen White as Rotta the Hutt, and Jonny Coyne as Imperial Warlord.
For Pascal, though, the biggest part of it all seems simple: seeing a longtime dream finally happen on the big screen. As he told fans, it was always in his heart.
