$100 million in projected losses would make The Mandalorian & Grogu the biggest box-office flop in Star Wars film history, despite arriving as Disney's summer franchise tentpole.
The report argues audiences rejected a movie that was competent but merely "serviceable," extending a run of Star Wars releases that failed to deliver compelling stories.
Recent disappointments cited include the Skywalker saga's fading finish and streaming misfires such as The Acolyte, which fed perceptions that Disney had drained the franchise creatively.
Andor is presented as the counterexample: its grounded focus on ordinary people under the Empire showed Star Wars can still resonate when the storytelling feels fresh and ambitious.
That contrast suggests the franchise's broader problem is not audience fatigue alone, but Disney's inability to pair a major brand with standout creative execution.