Baby yoda steals oscars show with hilarious skit, sparks star wars buzz

The Academy Awards took an unexpected turn last night when the galaxy's most adorable resident, Grogu – affectionately known as Baby Yoda – made a surprise appearance, participating in a comedic bit with stars Pedro Pascal and Sigourney Weaver.

Grogu's unexpected entrance and impromptu banter

The Mandalorian character, a fan favorite from Disney+, was revealed to be seated in the audience as Pascal and Weaver presented an award. The duo initiated the skit by referencing Weaver's extensive history with extraterrestrial characters, culminating in a playful kiss blown towards the audience – seemingly aimed at her upcoming co-star.

“You’ve had experience with a few of those [aliens],” Pascal quipped, setting up the moment. Weaver responded with a wry, “A little… the good, the bad… and downright adorable,” before blowing a kiss to Grogu, only for the camera to reveal actress Kate Hudson playfully embracing the little Jedi in the crowd. A swift, “Get away from him you bitch,” from Weaver, a direct reference to her character in Aliens, had Grogu visibly startled. Pascal noted the impressive character recall, admitting he “peed myself a little.”

Weaver, embracing the moment, declared, “It’s my soft maternal instinct. Kate, I stand by it.”

This lighthearted display is clearly a strategic move by Disney to bolster anticipation for the upcoming theatrical release of The Mandalorian & Grogu, slated for May 22. The film marks the return of the beloved duo to the big screen after the divisive conclusion of the Star Wars sequel trilogy in 2019 with The Rise of Skywalker.

Dave Filoni, Lucasfilm’s new president and chief creative officer, has positioned The Mandalorian & Grogu as the beginning of “a completely different era of Star Wars.” However, the franchise’s future beyond this film remains somewhat hazy, with only Ryan Gosling’s Star Wars: The High Republic currently confirmed for a May 28, 2027 release.

Grogu's physical limitations also provided fodder for humor, with host Conan O’Brien jokingly pointing out his inability to clap. The film’s release in theaters and IMAX promises a nostalgic return for fans, even if Grogu remains largely speechless – at least for now.

Image credit: Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images

Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor.

You can reach Tom at [email protected] or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social