The next Star Wars movie, The Mandalorian and Grogu, is continuing The Mandalorian‘s tradition of honoring the original Star Wars trilogy with a surprising Return of the Jedi connection. Details about The Mandalorian and Grogu movie are still being kept тιԍнтly under wraps, including much of The Mandalorian and Grogu‘s cast, but some information has indeed been pᴀssed on.
This has been accomplished mostly in the way of exclusive footage shown at events such as 2024’s D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event and Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025, the latter of which I was in attendance. The footage I saw revealed a surprisingly familiar face that connects The Mandalorian and Grogu to one famed Return of the Jedi foe.
The Mandalorian And Grogu Features The Return Of Jabba’s Son
Believe it or not, Jabba the Hutt is indeed a father. Rotta the Huttlet was first introduced in the 2008 Star Wars: The Clone Wars movie, which acted as the gateway for the beloved animated series of the same name. Also referred to as “Stinky,” Rotta was rescued from the Separatists by Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano.
Now, nearly twenty years after his initial debut, Rotta will return to the Star Wars galaxy in The Mandalorian and Grogu. The footage I saw at Star Wars Celebration Japan ended with Rotta, now fully grown and very buff, pumping his fists victoriously at the center of a gladiator ring, with Din Djarin and Grogu as spectators.
Don’t Expect Rotta To Be Your Stereotypical Hutt
Of course, the biggest mistake you could make while anticipating the appearance of Jabba’s son is that Rotta will take on his father’s same legacy. It’s clear already that Rotta is anything but the stereotypical Hutt, preferring to fight for himself rather than have others fight on his behalf.
While, like much of the movie, Rotta’s motivations for being a gladiator type of fighter are unclear, there will certainly be something fueling him in The Mandalorian and Grogu. Given the fact the movie takes place years after his father’s death at the hands of Leia Organa, that could very well be the cause.
Until then, the best way to prepare for this surprising Return of the Jedi connection in the next Star Wars movie is to get caught up with Rotta’s story in The Clone Wars movie. While The Mandalorian and Grogu may be doing the work to reestablish Rotta some, it’s likely he could refer to his past – and his father.
The Mandalorian and Grogu hits theaters May 22, 2026.
