Washington [US], May 12 (ANI): American actor Sigourney Weaver is in talks to join the cast of 'The MandalorianGrogu', the first Star Wars movie to go into production since 2019's 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker', as per The Hollywood Reporter.

Jon Favreau, the creator of The Mandalorian, is directing the picture, which is set to begin production later this year. Favreau, Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy, and Lucasfilm Chief Creative Officer Dave Filoni will produce the film.

The Mandalorian premiered in November 2019 as Disney's flagship show, with the character known as Baby Yoda becoming a pop cultural sensation. Pedro Pascal stars in the series as Din Djarin, better known as The Mandalorian, a warrior who grudgingly (at first) cares for Grogu. The show's third season premiered last year and has spawned several spinoffs, including The Book of Boba Fett and Ahsoka, which has a second season in the works.

Pascal is expected to return as Djarin, although it's unclear in what capacity, as the actor has a full schedule. For one, he will begin shooting The Fantastic Four for sister Disney division Marvel Studios beginning at the end of July.

Weaver, a three-time Academy Award nominee, is perhaps best known as the longtime face of the Alien franchise, starting with 1979's Ridley Scott sci-fi horror classic, then establishing her butt-kicking bonafide with James Cameron's 1986 sequel, Aliens. She starred in two more after that. Her portrayal of maternal monster fighter Ripley proved to be a trailblazer, whose path other screen heroines have since followed, according to The Hollywood Reporter. (ANI)