How Imagineers Used Ancient Shadow Play to Bring Grogu to Life on Batuu
A fascinating behind-the-scenes look reveals the simple, hands-on artistry powering the new projection show at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.
3 min read
If you wander past the Millennium Falcon in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland after dark, you might witness something surprisingly intimate. Right after the massive projections of Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga fade from the towering spires of Batuu, a quiet three-minute post-show begins. Called The Curious Child, this limited-time spectacle follows Grogu as he uses his Force abilities to playful effect, sorting through memories of his travels across the galaxy with Din Djarin.
While the show itself feels incredibly polished, Walt Disney Imagineering recently pulled back the curtain to reveal that its stunning visual style relies on an surprisingly low-tech art form.
The Art of the "Shadow Play"
In a behind-the-scenes video shared by the official Walt Disney Imagineering Instagram account, the creative team at Disney Live Entertainment walked viewers through the development of the nighttime show. Rather than treating the project as a purely high-tech, digital-first endeavor, KC, a Video Systems Design Manager with Disney Live Entertainment, described the process as a form of traditional "shadow play."
Before any programming began, the team went hands-on with simple, physical cutouts and light sources to create classic shadow puppets—including Grogu’s instantly recognizable silhouette. They studied how light naturally wraps around physical shapes, using movement references from animators to make sure Grogu's signature tilts and ear-wiggles translated perfectly to paper and, eventually, to the spires of Black Spire Outpost.
By marrying "ancient storytelling" techniques with modern mapping software, Imagineers were able to scale those delicate paper cutouts up to fit the massive, irregular rock surfaces of the land.
Designing an Authentic Mando Moment
To make sure this small nighttime addition felt right at home in the broader Star Wars universe, the team worked directly with the creative minds behind the screen.
“We were very lucky to get to work closely with Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni. Early on, we had lots of conversations with them around how we might want to shape the overall story. Through that close collaboration, I think we arrived at something that feels wholly fresh and like an entirely new adventure.”
— Asa Kalama, Vice President, Executive for Creative and Interactive Experiences at Walt Disney Imagineering
Where and When to Catch It
The Curious Child is a limited-time offering that plays nightly at Disneyland Park. If you are hoping to catch it, you don't need a Lightning Lane or a spot in a virtual queue. Just head to the plaza directly in front of the Millennium Falcon in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.
The show is designed as a direct post-show tag to Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga. It typically plays twice a night (usually around 8:45 PM and 10:15 PM, though you should always check the Disneyland app for the exact times of the day). Once the main show wraps up, stick around for an extra three minutes to watch Grogu play with the spires.
This nighttime addition is part of a massive summer push for the duo on Batuu. Over on the east coast at Walt Disney World's [hollywood-studios], the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run attraction has also received a brand-new mission featuring the Mandalorian and Grogu. If you've been monitoring the strange June wait times, you already know that summer crowds have shifted, making it a great time to head out and catch these new Star Wars offerings with shorter lines than we've seen in years.