Pedro Pascal was moved to tears during his second appearance at the CCXP Mexico pop culture convention, where he presented his upcoming film Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu. The Chilean-American actor arrived accompanied by the adorable Grogu and director, co-writer, and producer Jon Favreau. The trio received a thunderous ovation from the 2,500 attendees on the Thunder Stage Sunday night as they exclusively previewed the film.
Emotional Return to CCXP Mexico
Pascal, who had visited the convention a year earlier to present The Fantastic Four: First Steps, expressed his excitement at being part of the Star Wars legacy and transitioning from the television series The Mandalorian, which debuted in 2019, to the big screen. "I always had a dream in my heart that would be on a big screen. Because that's how I developed as a child. I went to the movie theater so much with my family. And I saw the Star Wars movies on the big screen," Pascal said, attributing his tears to the fact that "I'm old, it happens very easily."
He added, "They are films that really fostered all my dreams. So now to be a part of that and share it with you who see it on a big screen. It's a dream I never imagined."
Film Details and Fan Reception
Filmed in IMAX, the movie stars Pascal, Sigourney Weaver, and Jeremy Allen White. It opens on May 21 and is one of the most anticipated summer releases of 2026. This marks the first Star Wars film in seven years since The Rise of Skywalker. Favreau highlighted the opportunity to attract new fans while evolving the story for longtime enthusiasts. "We wanted to introduce these characters to a new audience. But for the fans who've been there forever, like these people, we wanted to evolve the relationship. So it's no longer about the Mandalorian rescuing Grogu. Now Grogu has leveled up. He's a Mandalorian apprentice," Favreau explained.
Favreau also shared his personal journey as a Star Wars fan, recalling his time as an usher during the releases of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. "I've been a fan since I was young, but never did I think I'd get to make Star Wars," he said.
Behind the Scenes and Character Evolution
The director emphasized the extensive pre-production work that went into the film. "We had three years to do this. The choreography, the creatures, the stop motion, the CGI, all of it. It's just been a tremendous ride. I'm so super grateful that the fans are trusting me with Star Wars," Favreau noted.
Pascal, wearing a green Mexican national soccer team jersey in anticipation of the World Cup to be held in Mexico, Canada, and the United States, discussed the evolution of the relationship between Din Djarin and Grogu. "They've always been like a very powerful team, but everyone sees that the Mandalorian is protecting a baby. And now, in this movie, they're more like a couple, on the same level," he said.
