Popverse's top stories

• Top Shonen Jump editor behind DanDaDan, Chainsaw Man & SpyXFamily has left his staff position to start his own manga company
• MEMBERS ONLY: Popverse Playlist: The 3 things you need to check out in pop culture April 25 through May 1
• How Gwen Stacy's death set-up the creation of the Punisher, according to the writer who did both for Marvel Comics

Amidst rumors that advance tracking for the movie is softer than anticipated, Lucasfilm has tapped the creator of beloved manga and anime Attack on Titan to bring some excitement to Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu — and the result is something that might have fans wishing the franchise’s return to the big screen was animated, rather than live-action.

Shared via the Star Wars Japan X account, Hajime Isayama has created a promo image for the upcoming Star Wars movie, showing the Mandalorian in mid-air, clutching tightly onto a clearly thrilled Grogu, who’s apparently developed the ability to shoot lightning out of his hands. (To be fair, we’ve seen Palpatine do this as a Sith, so this isn’t the most extraordinary development, really.) It’s a great teaser image, and arguably more dynamic than anything fans have seen in promo images or trailers for the movie yet — take a look for yourself.

The image arrives as the movie ramps up promotional efforts ahead of its May 22 release. The cast were at CCXP Mexico April 26 as the start of what Lucasfilm is calling a “global tour” to support the movie, while promo tie-ins include both “special-look” events at select IMAX theaters and Burger King tie-ins.

The final promotional push might be necessary. Early pre-release tracking for the movie is surprisingly soft, with less than half of those polled saying that they are interested in seeing the movie (48%, specifically), and even less (43%) interested in seeing the movie in theaters. Interest is, indeed, so low that some analysts are suggesting it might have the lowest box office opening in Star Wars franchise history — even lower than Solo: A Star Wars Story, which has traditionally been considered an under-performing movie.

Of course, a lot can change in the next three weeks — and it’s not as if Mando doesn’t have a history of pulling off narrower escapes.

Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu will be released May 22.

Get to know, understand, and love the Star Wars franchise more with our Star Wars watch order, guide to all the upcoming Star Wars movies & TV shows, and all the Star Wars movies and Star Wars TV shows ranked.