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The Star Wars franchise has always been built upon the things that came before it. The Prequels were built upon the legacy of the original trilogy, and the sequels were built upon the nostalgia for both. In that way, The Mandalorian and Grogu is the perfect Star Wars film, because it is apparently a sequel not just to the Disney+ series but The Clone Wars animated series, thanks to the appearance of Rotta the Hutt. Or Stinky, as Ahsoka would call him.

During an interview with Empire Magazine, Dave Filoni, the new co-president of Lucasfilm who has been involved with Star Wars animation for many years, discussed the fact that he never thought he’d see the character of Rotta the Hutt again, let alone in a live-action film. “I never imagined, working at Lucasfilm, that 20 years later I would be working on a [live-action] film with Rotta in it.”

While most Star Wars fans probably only know the Hutts thanks to the slovenly and, frankly, creepy Jabba from The Return of the Jedi, there have been multiple instances of the race in various Star Wars comics and TV shows over the years. Still, the inclusion of Rotta is unusual simply because of his physique. Rotta the Hutt is absolutely jacked, to put it lightly, as seen in the trailer for The Mandalorian and Grogu. “He’s incredibly tough, incredibly capable,” explained The Mandalorian and Grogu director Jon Favreau. “It shows what the physical potential of a Hutt could be, if they take that lifestyle on.”

The Mandalorian and Grogu is out in cinemas on May 22, 2026.

Get to know, understand, and love the Star Wars franchise more with our Star Wars watch order, guide to all the upcoming Star Wars movies & TV shows, and all the Star Wars movies and Star Wars TV shows ranked.