Star Wars’ next movie, The Mandalorian and Grogu, has already made it clear that it’s paying tribute to The Empire Strikes Back. Now, however, it seems as if the movie will be taking it a step further by bringing a planet mentioned in the movie to live-action for the very first time.

Han Solo famously mentions coming across a bounty hunter on Ord Mantell when he’s making preparations to leave Echo Base on the planet H๏τh. In classic Star Wars fashion, this otherwise throwaway line began to draw the interest of fans, and The Mandalorian and Grogu seems to be making good on it 44 years later.

Ord Mantell Has Been Seen On-Screen Before (But Not In Live-Action)

It’s first important to establish that this wouldn’t technically be the first time Ord Mantell is seen on-screen, even if it would be the first time it’s seen in live-action. Ord Mantell became foundational to the story of the animated series Star Wars: The Bad Batch, as it acted as a home base of sorts for Clone Force 99.

A rogue group of enhanced clone troopers on the run from the Empire, they find their way to Ord Mantell in search of a former contact of the Jedi, named Cid Scaleback. Based out of her own parlor in a seedy part of Ord Mantell’s city, the planet is a key location for most of the show’s first two seasons.

Clone Force 99 end up working in her employ as mercenaries prior to breaking away from their not-so mutually beneficial arrangement, which truly highlights the underworld parts of the city where Han might’ve had his aforementioned run-in with a bounty hunter.

This role it had in The Bad Batch helped to flesh out Ord Mantell greatly, from mining tunnels running beneath the city to snacks like the colorful Mantell Mix. Still, however, it’s yet to carry on a similar legacy in live-action, though it seems The Mandalorian and Grogu is setting out to change that.

The Mandalorian And Grogu’s Trailer Contains Hints To Ord Mantell

The first trailer for The Mandalorian and Grogu shows a fighting ring inside an amphitheater. Din Djarin and Grogu are in attendance, with Grogu snacking on what appears to be Mantell Mix, as seen in The Bad Batch – although some could argue it’s generic Outpost Mix, as also served in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

Din shortly joins in the fighting, though, as he’s seen wrestling a Mantellian Savrip, a creature who’s native to Ord Mantell. Star Wars Explained not only identified the creature as such, but also brought up the fact that one such creature was known for being a famous gladiator, which certainly fits this particular setting.

Between the Mantell Mix and the origin of this creature, it seems quite clear that Din and Grogu are, in fact, on Ord Mantell during this particular sequence. Given that The Bad Batch creator and Star Wars animation champion Dave Filoni is a producer on the movie, this seems even more likely to be the case, amongst other reasons.

Ord Mantell Fits Perfectly Into The Mandalorian And Grogu’s Story

Beyond acting as a head-nod to The Empire Strikes Back, and even beyond honoring the story of The Bad Batch, Ord Mantell feels like a natural addition to The Mandalorian and Grogu‘s story. Din Djarin is a bounty hunter by trade and always has been, which already ᴀssociates him with the original mention of the planet by Han Solo.

Din and Grogu are also naturally going to pick through the underworld to find out information about potential Imperials in hiding. Din already has a hand in that as a bounty hunter, and it’s a better fit for someone like him rather than an actual New Republic ranger themselves, as Din blends in more – and is less likely to be questioned.

Overall, though, it’s the perfect way for The Mandalorian and Grogu to continue honoring The Empire Strikes Back. Other parallels between the two movies have continued to mount, particularly an AT-AT fight sequence that takes place on a snowy world that’s all-too reminiscent of H๏τh, which hasn’t been seen on-screen since 1980.

This also continues the pattern of parallels between The Bad Batch‘s story and The Mandalorian‘s, as they have often echoed one another in several notable ways, including extensive detailing of Emperor Palpatine’s Project Necromancer. This would thus be a great way to honor the animated TV series on the big screen and reward its dedicated fans.

It’s the perfect kind of reference to make in The Mandalorian and Grogu, as it would be new to more casual Star Wars fans while rewarding those who either know about Ord Mantell in general or know it from The Bad Batch. While it remains speculation at this point, it’s very likely this planet could finally be making its live-action debut.

The Mandalorian and Grogu hits theaters May 22, 2026.