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The Star Wars franchise has never been shy about wearing its influences on its sleeve. The original trilogy was heavily inspired by Japanese cinema, particularly that of Akira Kurosawa. The Mandalorian series was a mashup of multiple spaghetti western films and shows; meanwhile, the marketing for The Mandalorian & Grogu seems to want to pull the pulp action influences to the front. However, the director of Gremlins thinks he should get at least some credit for creating Lucasfilm’s latest marketing triumph, saying that Baby Yoda is clearly inspired by Gizmo the Mogwai.

While speaking to reporters at the TCM Classic Film Festival, Joe Dante was quick to bring up the similarities between the iconic Gizmo and Grogu, aka Baby Yoda. “There’s Yoda, and there’s Baby Yoda,” Dante said. “Which is definitely a Gizmo rip-off. Come on. Let’s face it.”

We can see what he’s getting at, to be honest. There are some definite design similarities between Gizmo and Grogu. Same basic size and shape. Big ears. Generally, the most wholesome part of a dark and dangerous world. It is worth noting that Dante didn’t seem necessarily upset by the fact that Disney is rehashing the design from one of the best films from the 80s. Gizmo was a pop culture icon that has endured in the decades since his introduction, so of course, people are going to take note and try to replicate it.

In fact, Dante mentions another recent movie that seems to have stolen the Gizmo aesthetic. “As is the character in the Ochi movie,” Dante added a moment later, likely referring to 2025’s The Legend of Ochi. “A total Gremlins rip-off, you know? They don’t even hide it!”

Perhaps it is a testament to the fact that Hollywood is constantly running out of ideas, or maybe it just shows how influential Gremlins was. Either way, we won’t be able to look at Baby Yoda the same way again.

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