Manhattan Beach Soundstage Fuels Star Wars

Patch reported on May 23 that a Manhattan Beach soundstage is part of the production footprint behind Lucasfilm’s newest Star Wars film, “The Mandalorian and Grogu.” StarWars.com and studio materials tie the franchise to Manhattan Beach Studios, also known as MBS Media Campus, a 15-stage production lot at 1600 Rosecrans Avenue in Manhattan Beach. The film opened in theaters and IMAX on May 22, according to StarWars.com. Pedro Pascal, who plays Din Djarin, said in a recent cast interview that he first saw the project’s early artwork in production offices at Manhattan Beach Studios. ### Which Star Wars project is connected to Manhattan Beach? “The Mandalorian and Grogu” is the Star Wars title now linked to Manhattan Beach. StarWars.com says the Jon Favreau-directed film opened exclusively in theaters and IMAX on May 22, 2026, and describes it as a new big-screen adventure for Din Djarin and Grogu. Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni are the named creative leads on the film. StarWars.com identifies Favreau as director and quotes Filoni, Lucasfilm’s president, as a co-writer and producer discussing the story’s focus on apprenticeship between Din Djarin and Grogu. ### What ties the movie to Manhattan Beach Studios? Pedro Pascal supplied the clearest direct connection. (starwars.com) In a StarWars.com cast feature published May 21, Pascal said he remembered walking into production offices at Manhattan Beach Studios and seeing walls covered with story illustrations, including the image of “a lone hero” and Grogu. MBS Media Campus identifies itself as Manhattan Beach Studios on its website and says the property includes 15 sound stages, production offices and a New York Street backlot. (starwars.com) The campus says it is in Manhattan Beach and is operated and serviced by The MBS Group. ### What kind of facility is MBS Media Campus? MBS Media Campus says its stages range from 10,000 to 25,000 square feet and that the lot includes one streaming and broadcasting stage in addition to its main sound stages. (starwars.com) The campus markets contiguous production offices, on-site lighting and grip support, and other services aimed at film and television shoots. Hackman Capital Partners is named on the site as the owner through an affiliate. (mbsmediacampus.com) The campus lists its address as 1600 Rosecrans Ave., Manhattan Beach, California 90266. ### What have the filmmakers said about the production? Pedro Pascal said the move to a theatrical film felt natural after the Disney+ series. “The Mandalorian always felt big screen to me,” Pascal told StarWars.com in the May 21 feature. (mbsmediacampus.com) Jon Favreau said the film was designed for theaters and for audiences beyond longtime Star Wars fans. In an April 29 interview with StarWars.com, Favreau said the team wanted to make an experience that could bring in “a new generation” and give newcomers a chance to “fall in love with it.” (mbsmediacampus.com) ### Why does Manhattan Beach show up in this production at all? (starwars.com) Manhattan Beach Studios has long been part of the Los Angeles-area studio system, and the StarWars.com interview places at least some production-office work for “The Mandalorian and Grogu” there. The available public material does not specify exactly which scenes, sets or stages were used for the film. (starwars.com) Patch framed the local angle as a Manhattan Beach business playing a role in a current Star Wars release. That local connection is supported by the studio campus’s own description of its facilities and by Pascal’s account of early work on the project at the site. ### What comes next for the film and the studio? StarWars.com says “The Mandalorian and Grogu” is now in theaters and IMAX, with tickets still available through the film’s official page. (starwars.com) The cast highlighted by StarWars.com includes Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver and Jeremy Allen White, with Favreau directing. (starwars.com) (patch.com)