Nine years ago, Star Wars set up what will likely be one of The Mandalorian & Grogu’s most surprising character twists. Set to release in 2026, Pedro Pascal’s Din Djarin and his adoptive son Grogu will have their big-screen debut. Likewise, it’s been confirmed they’ll eventually encounter a surprising character who hasn’t been seen much since 2008’s Clone Wars movie.

Thanks to exclusive Mandalorian & Grogu footage from Star Wars Celebration Japan, we know Din Djarin and Grogu will still be working with the New Republic, with Djarin taking down an Imperial walker and reporting to Col. Ward (Sigourney Weaver). The Mandalorian & Grogu footage also confirms the return of Jabba the Hutt’s son, though he looks very different.

The Mandalorian & Grogu Will Feature The Return of Rotta The Hutt

The last time Jabba’s son Rotta the Hutt was prominently featured in Star Wars, he was merely an infant slug kidnapped by the Separatists in a bid to secure hyperspace trade routes running through Hutt Space.

Eventually, Rotta was rescued and returned to his father by Anakin Skywalker and his new Padawan Ahsoka Tano in 2008’s The Clone Wars movie, which kicked off the subsequent animated series. While Rotta made small appearances here and there in the show, the Clone Wars movie was the last time we actually saw him in any kind of significant role…until now.

Reportedly played by Jeremy Allen White, the end of the exclusive Mandalorian & Grogu footage features Rotta the Hutt as an adult years later in the New Republic Era. However, Rotta does not look like most Hutts, shown in an arena with some significant muscles and arms, appearing to be a gladiatorial warrior.

However, as surprising as this appearance is for Rotta and live-action Star Wars in general, this new Hutt look has been seen before.

Rotta’s Unique Look Is Seemingly Inspired by Grakkus The Hutt

9 years ago, Marvel’s first major canonical Star Wars run debuted Grakkus the Hutt in 2016’s Star Wars #9. Based on the Smuggler’s Moon of Nar Shadda during the Galactic Civil War, Grakkus boasted some impressive arms and muscles, while also being far more mobile than most Hutts via an array of spider-like mechanical legs.

Grakkus also wore a necklace made of lightsabers, having used his vast wealth to collect a trove of Jedi artifacts. He also ran a gladiatorial fighting pit, which he forced Luke Skywalker to fight in after capturing the young Jedi in A New Hope’s aftermath. However, Grakkus was quite formidable himself when the Empire came to shut down his operations.

Interestingly, we know that Grakkus survived the Galactic Civil War and lived into the days of the sequel trilogy. However, we don’t know what he was up to during the New Republic Era, and the same goes for Rotta.

Perhaps the son of Jabba became Grakkus’ protégé following his father’s death in Return of the Jedi. While pure conjecture, it would explain Rotta the Hutt’s new and similar appearance in the upcoming Mandalorian & Grogu movie.

The Mandalorian & Grogu is set to release on May 22nd, 2026.