Empire Magazine Editor Debunks Rumor that ‘Mandalorian and Grogu’ Didn’t Use ‘The Volume’

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A rumor recently circulated claiming that the Disney+ series The Mandalorian and Grogu didn’t use the virtual production technology known as The Volume. The rumor, which originated from a now-deleted post on the Star Wars Holocron fan account, incorrectly cited Empire Magazine as a source, according to Ben Travis, Empire‘s deputy online editor.

Travis clarified that they didn’t make that claim. He explained that others mentioned the new project used more physical sets than the show, and while it’s not certain if ‘The Volume’ was used at all, they never said it wasn’t used in any capacity.

Fans have been eagerly anticipating the first theatrical appearance of the popular bounty hunter from Disney+ and his young sidekick, leading to a lot of guesswork. Travis’s recent explanation emphasizes why it’s important for fans to understand how The Volume technology is used in the production.

What Is The Volume?

The Volume is ILM’s cutting-edge virtual production stage, using LED screens to display realistic backgrounds instantly, eliminating the need for traditional green screens. This technology, famously used in the TV series The Mandalorian, was key to the show’s unique look. By pairing LED backgrounds with real-time rendering using Unreal Engine, the stage lets actors and the crew see the actual environments during filming, resulting in more realistic lighting and a more natural performance than with traditional green screen methods.

The Volume, a unique visual approach, has garnered both praise and criticism. While some fans love its distinctive look, others have pointed out occasional issues with how virtual backgrounds are blended into scenes. Despite these criticisms, it’s become a defining characteristic of the visual style of recent Star Wars films, so any discussion of its use is sure to be important to fans.

A recent rumor led some fans to believe the new Mandalorian and Grogu movie would feature less use of the virtual production technology called The Volume, and more traditional location filming. This idea came from a statement in a recent Empire magazine article, which highlighted that the movie would have larger-scale action sequences, extensive physical sets, and a lot of practical effects like puppetry and stop-motion animation from Phil Tippett’s studio.

These observations show the film is larger in scope, but they don’t disprove the use of virtual production techniques. Travis clarified that the original reports never stated The Volume wasn’t used at all.

Blending Practical and Virtual Effects

While some viewers were pleased with the possibility of the Star Wars films returning to older filmmaking techniques, Industrial Light & Magic has consistently developed cutting-edge technology. The franchise has always combined practical effects with digital ones. The Volume, a virtual production system, became a defining visual element of The Mandalorian. Because the new film is connected to that series, its absence might be noticeable to audiences—even those unfamiliar with the technology itself.

The reports that The Volume wasn’t used at all in The Mandalorian & Grogu are false. Travis’s comments and reporting from Empire magazine confirm the film uses a combination of real sets and cutting-edge virtual production. However, the real draw for audiences will be a captivating story that feels special on the big screen, and it remains to be seen if The Mandalorian and Grogu can deliver that.

Moviegoers will get to choose when they see The Mandalorian and Grogu in theaters, starting May 22nd.

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2026-03-14 18:56