Ben Travis, deputy online editor at Empire Magazine, recently addressed a rumor surrounding The Mandalorian and Grogu and its use of The Volume. A now-deleted post from fan account Star Wars Holocron reported that The Volume was not used during production of the film, citing Empire as its source.
Screenshot from Star Wars Holocron – X
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“No, we didn’t [say that],” Travis wrote. “They said they used a lot more practical sets etc. on this one compared to the show. Unclear whether the Volume was used in some capacity or not, but we don’t state that there’s no Volume at all.”
The confusion follows months of speculation among Star Wars fans about what to expect for the big-screen debut of the Disney+ bounty hunter and his little green companion. Travis’s clarification highlights why understanding The Volume’s role matters to fans.
What Is The Volume?
The Volume is ILM’s state-of-the-art LED virtual production stage, allowing filmmakers to project dynamic backgrounds in real time instead of using traditional green screens. First used on The Mandalorian TV series, the technology helped define the series’ distinctive visual style. By combining LED backdrops with real-time rendering in Unreal Engine, the stage allows actors and crew to see the environments they are performing in, creating more natural lighting and interaction than green screens typically allow.
(L-R): Grogu and Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) in Lucasfilm’s THE MANDALORIAN, season three, exclusively on Disney+. ©.
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Some fans praise The Volume for its unique look. Others have criticized it for occasional inconsistencies when compositing virtual backgrounds. Regardless, has become a hallmark of Disney-era Star Wars visuals, making any discussion about its presence in the film particularly noteworthy for the franchise’s audience.
Giving the rumor weight, some fans assumed production of The Mandalorian and Grogu might rely less on The Volume and more on location shooting. The confusion may have stemmed from a line in Empire’s recent cover story: “Yes, the action will be bigger for cinemas. There will be massive practical sets, puppetry galore, stop-motion courtesy of Phil Tippett’s studio.”
While these comments highlight the film’s expanded scale, they do not contradict the use of virtual production. Travis’s clarification emphasizes that Empire never claimed The Volume was entirely absent.
Blending Practical and Virtual Effects
Some fans appreciated the idea that Star Wars might return to more traditional filmmaking methods. However, ILM has pioneered many new technologies, and the franchise has often featured a blend of practical and digital effects. The Volume represents not only a significant technological innovation, but a signature part of the look and feel of The Mandalorian. As the film is a sequel of sorts to the television series, some fans could find its absence distracting—even if they are not familiar with The Volume by name.
Opening shot from The Mandalorian and Grogu trailer – Star Wars, YouTube
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Ultimately, the rumor that The Volume was entirely absent from The Mandalorian & Grogu is incorrect. Travis’s clarification, combined with Empire’s reporting, confirms that the film blends both practical sets and modern virtual production techniques. But what will bring fans to the theater is the promise of an immersive story, worthy of the big screen. Whether or not The Mandalorian and Grogu can deliver remains to be seen.
Fans will have the opportunity to decide for themselves when The Mandalorian and Grogu arrives in theaters May 22.
What did you think of the rumor that The Mandalorian and Grogu didn’t use The Volume? Were you for against it? Let us know in the comments!
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Whatever they’re doing, movies don’t look cinematic any more. Or so I read, because I’m only watching great movies, from 20+ years ago (give or take).