All eyes are rightfully directed towards the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi limited series, which just released its first teaser trailer. The story will bring Star Wars fans back to the sands of Tatooine once more (for a time), continuing a trend started by The Mandalorian. Kenobi's return will be a riveting experience, but Mando himself is expected to make a comeback in 2022 as well.
Following a surprisingly expansive role in The Book of Boba Fett, Din Djarin is primed and ready to continue his journey in The Mandalorian Season 3. Having acquired an N-1 Naboo Starfighter and reuniting with Grogu sooner than expected, things are trending up for Mando as his responsibilities expand. With the Darksaber comes a duty to lead the people of Mandalore, and the world must be restored to its former glory.
Grogu won't merely be along for the ride. While he ultimately chose to accept the beskar chain mail Din had forged for him and left Luke Skywalker's academy, the baby still has a long road ahead as he learns the ways of the Jedi. His abilities with the Force are raw and unique, and with hundreds of years left in his lifespan, Grogu will inevitably become a Jedi when the time is right.
But he's also a Mandalorian foundling. While Grogu will continue to explore the Force, he's tied to Din's pursuit of a free Mandalore - and will be doing all he can to help. A new rumor indicates that Grogu will be getting an unexpected armor upgrade... by way of a returning character from Season 1.
Grogu & IG-11: A Dyad Story
Making Star Wars has reported that Grogu will be receiving his beskar armor in The Mandalorian Season 3. The baby and fellow foundlings are set to fight alongside the Mandalorians looking after them, sporting their armor during the unknown conflict.
In Grogu's case, his armor is actually a droid. IG-11 from Season 1 will be resurrected somehow, and Grogu will sit inside the machine's chest. It's said that IG-11's shell has been covered with beskar, and Grogu will have full control over the droid from the inside as its casing protects him. While IG-11 is under Grogu's control, the droid will serve a "Jarvis" role that reports on probabilities and odds, as well as giving instinctive protection for the kid. When he gets his armor, Grogu's potency will be dialed up to 11, as he'll reportedly "beat the shit" out of stormtroopers in the suit.
To accomplish the performance, a puppeteer will wear a suit connected to the droid, akin to how C-3PO was brought to life in The Phantom Menace. Taika Waititi is expected to return to voice the role in ADR sessions.
Return of the Droid
IG-11's resurrection is a shocking development, but it's creative moves like this that have made the MandoVerse so compelling. Fennec Shand was given a similar treatment, which led to a starring role in The Book of Boba Fett... though her "death" didn't involve an explosion. Fans will naturally have questions regarding IG's return, but there may actually be a reasonable explanation for the move.
As MSW speculates, the Jawas seen at the end of the Season 1 finale could very well have salvaged IG-11's parts. There are some pieces that are beyond the point of no return, such as the legs that were incinerated by Navarro's lava, but enough elements must have survived the sacrificial explosion for the IG-11 persona and programming to remain functional upon reconstruction.
The droid is treated as a savior by the people of Navarro, who crafted a memorial in his honor. With Carl Weathers returning to direct an episode of Season 3, it seems to be a given that Greef Karga will be appearing as well. Perhaps the local magistrate caught wind of the droid's parts remaining, and he bought them off of the Jawas? It seems plausible that he would call Mando in to present IG as a gift, seeing as he owes him a few favors and quickly took a liking to Grogu.
How IG-11 will be given his beskar shell is another subject entirely. Prior to The Book of Boba Fett, Din turning to the Armorer would have been the obvious answer. However, she booted his ass out of their already tiny covert due to the removal of his helmet, so a reunion on that front probably won't be happening any time soon. If Din and Grogu will be fighting alongside other Mandalorians, maybe a new ally will also have the ability to forge beskar (and patch up a droid).
Seeing Grogu get a full suit of armor in this manner will be thrilling. Much like Serapis from The Clone Wars, the little guy will have a protective shell - which should impenetrable. Fitting the droid into the N-1 will prove problematic, but there will be ways around that. Grogu now has the opportunity to show off his intelligence and wreak havoc against Imperial Remnant forces which, in addition to his Force abilities, should be pure fun.
The Mandalorian Season 3 will debut on Disney+ in late 2022.
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