Grakkus the Hutt is one of Star Wars’ most dangerous Hutt crimelords, who may very well become even more important in the near future. Although Jabba may have been the top dog of the ruling Hutt Clan with his various criminal enterprises, Grakkus was also a major force to be reckoned with (despite not being in the movies or shows).

Debuting in Marvel’s canonical Star Wars #9 (2015), Grakkus has routinely made comic appearances in the ten years since, becoming a fixture of the Star Wars galaxy even after Jabba’s death in Return of the Jedi. With upcoming Star Wars projects primed to make the Hutt gangster even more important, here’s everything you need to know about Grakkus the Hutt.

Who Is Grakkus The Hutt?

Operating out of Nar Shaddaa during the Galactic Civil War, Grakkus Jahibakti Tingi was a powerful crimelord running his own “kajidic”: a wide network of smugglers and bounty hunters. However, the crowning jewel of Grakkus’ enterprise was his large gladitorial arena, featuring warriors and monsters from all over the galaxy to engage in the bloodiest battles to the death.

Unlike most Hutts, Grakkus believed in personal physical strength, possessing a uniquely impressive physique compared to the rest of his slug-like species. He was also cybernetically enhanced with a series of robotic leg implants for greater mobility.

Ultimately, Grakkus’ hobby as a collector led to his arrest by the Empire between A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back, resulting in his incarceration for years before ruling the prison city of Megalox during the New Republic Era. It was during this time that the crimelord also led a whole gang of cybernetically enhanced Hutts known as the Grakks.

Grakkus’ History With Luke Skywalker Explained

During the Galactic Civil War, Grakkus used vast portions of his wealth to collect anything and everything he could get his hands on related to the fallen Jedi Order, possessing a mᴀssive vault full of Jedi holocrons, statues, relics, and more. Likewise, Grakkus’ most defining feature beyond his cybernetics (and ripped arms) is his necklace made of Jedi lightsaber hilts.

Keeping that in mind, it should come as no surprise that Grakkus took a great interest in Luke Skywalker when the Jedi-to-be came to Nar Shaddaa in the aftermath of A New Hope, following clues in his desire to continue his training. Taking Skywalker captive, Grakkus had his gamemaster train Luke to fight in his arena, honing his skills with a lightsaber.

What the Grakkus didn’t know was that his gamemaster was actually Sgt. Kreel, an Imperial agent who’d spent years undercover for Darth Vader. Once Kreel alerted Vader to Luke’s presence on Nar Shaddaa and Skywalker’s allies came to rescue him, Grakkus’ operations on the Smuggler’s Moon came to an end with his arrest and the Empire seizing his entire collection.

Grakkus Is The Key To Understanding The Hutts

With Grakkus, we finally saw Star Wars moving beyond treating all Hutts the same as fat kingpins. While still being a Hutt and a powerful figure in the galactic underworld, Grakkus is uniquely ambitious, seeking much more than simple power and luxury.

Since Grakkus’ debut, we’ve seen other unique Hutts, like a scientist in the High Republic Era. We’ll also soon see the return of Rotta, Jabba the Hutt’s son. Having debuted as an infant in 2008’s The Clone Wars movie, Rotta is now set to return in next year’s The Mandalorian and Grogu, now an adult in the New Republic.

Like Grakkus, Rotta also appears to have an impressive physique with muscles, and even looks to be fighting in a gladitorial arena as seen in The Mandalorian and Grogu’s first trailer (Grakkus proved himself a capable fighter prior to his arrest).

Perhaps like the Grakks, Rotta was also inspired to emulate Grakkus in the wake of his father’s death, as seen in Return of the Jedi.

Will Grakkus The Hutt Appear In The Mandalorian and Grogu?

While pure speculation at the moment, it wouldn’t be surprising if there was some sort of nod of reference to Grakkus in The Mandalorian and Grogu next year, considering the clear parallels between the Hutt crimelord and Rotta.

There’s also further evidence in the trailer that Din Djarin and Grogu will be interacting with the Hutts quite a bit, meaning an appearance from the still-living Grakkus isn’t that unlikely (it’s certainly possible). Furthermore, Grakkus has been confirmed to appear in ILM’s brand-new video game Star Wars: Beyond Victory, a mixed-reality podracing game for Meta Quest.

Set between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, it’s going to be fascinating to finally see Grakkus on screen, voiced by SNL alum and Rebuild the Galaxy’s Jedi Bob actor Bobby Moynihan. Likewise, designs for the character feature his classic lightsaber necklace, which looks to be made from hilts found in EA’s Jedi: Fallen Order and Survivor.

By all accounts, it certainly looks like Grakkus the Hutt may start becoming a much more well-known Star Wars character.

The Mandalorian & Grogu releases in theaters May 22nd, 2026.