After 7 years, The Mandalorian and Grogu will be bringing Star Wars back to the big screen, and this movie from The Mandalorian franchise could also be bringing a major original trilogy character back along with it. The Mandalorian has been trailblazing ever since Star Wars' first live-action TV show premiered in 2019, establishing its very own era that takes place just 5 years after the events of the original Star Wars trilogy. In that way, the two have always been linked.

Now, ahead of The Mandalorian and Grogu movie, it's becoming even more clear that the original trilogy's events and characters are closely intertwined with Din Djarin and Grogu's story - and this movie will strengthen those bonds. Surprisingly, with details about the actual movie itself still sparse, evidence of this comes from a surprising source: Disney Parks. It not only teases what kind of connection is being made, but also the possibility of bringing one major OT character back to the big screen.

The Mandalorian And Grogu Will Be Added To The Millennium Falcon Attraction

This Storyline Hinges On Star Wars' Most Iconic Ship

Star Wars has officially announced that The Mandalorian and Grogu will be receiving a storyline in one of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge's premier attractions: Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. This is significant not only because it bends the current rules of the Star Wars land's canonical timeline, but also because it debuts the same day as the movie itself. As someone who's fortunate enough to frequent Galaxy's Edge and has gone on Smugglers Run countless times, I know there are huge connections to be made here.

This is especially the case after the official concept art for the attraction's storyline came to light. It saw the Razor Crest, a new version of the beloved gunship that will likely fall into Din Djarin's hands during the events of The Mandalorian and Grogu, as teased at last year's D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, flying alongside the Millennium Falcon towards Cloud City on Bespin. At this point in the Star Wars timeline, only one character would be piloting that iconic Corellian freighter.

This Storyline Needs A Strong Connection Between Din Djarin & The Falcon

It Has To Explain Why Din Djarin Trusts The Falcon

In order for Din Djarin to not only work alongside the Falcon in this Smuggler's Run storyline, but also trust it enough to get the job done, there has to be a strong connection between the two. In its current state, Smugglers Run sees Hondo Ohnaka striking a deal with Chewbacca between the events of Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker to lend the Falcon to his newly-hired flight crew to steal coaxium from the First Order, offering the Wookiee supplies for the Resistance in return.

This will all have to change for The Mandalorian and Grogu, which is slated to take place at least 20 years before the events of the Star Wars sequel trilogy. In an era where Han Solo is alive and well, it would also make less sense for Hondo to strike a deal with Chewbacca rather than the captain of the Falcon himself. To make matters more confusing, if it remains faithful to the current storyline on Smugglers Run, it should actually be Din Djarin specifically requesting assistance from the Falcon.

Hondo Ohnaka hires flight crews through his company, Ohnaka Transport Solutions, and talks to the crew throughout each flight. It seems likely that this role will go to Din Djarin for the new storyline, even if the ship rental continues to happen through Ohnaka Transport Solutions.

Essentially, there are a dozen different ways I can see the new storyline for Smugglers Run going, but all of them lead to one crucial point: The Mandalorian and Grogu has to have some kind of connection to the Falcon already. While Han Solo does lose the Falcon at some point between the original trilogy and the sequel trilogy, it seems too quick for that to happen by the time The Mandalorian era begins. What's more likely is that Han Solo could be a part of The Mandalorian and Grogu's story somehow.

Han Solo Has Always Been Best Suited To Appear In Din Djarin's Story

He's Still A Scoundrel, After All

Han Solo returning in The Mandalorian and Grogu makes plenty of sense outside this setup for Smugglers Run, as he's always been the most organic addition to the overall storyline of The Mandalorian franchise. This era has often dealt with the galaxy's Underworld, from bounty hunters to smugglers and other scoundrels - just like Han Solo himself. For that reason alone, I could very easily see this beloved scoundrel-turned-general becoming a part of Din Djarin's story.

He's also the only original Star Wars trilogy character from the main trio who has yet to be mentioned or glimpsed in The Mandalorian franchise. Luke Skywalker's return in The Mandalorian season 2 finale will always be iconic, and even Leia Organa herself was mentioned in the Ahsoka series, which takes place concurrently with the events of The Mandalorian. Between the attraction based around the Falcon and this clear chain of logic, it seems more than likely that Han Solo's Star Wars return could happen in The Mandalorian and Grogu movie.