The Mandalorian & Grogu's Rat The Hutt Can Be The Next Baby Yoda

Summary

• Jeremy Allen White joins Star Wars as Rotta the Hutt, potentially the next Baby Yoda of the franchise.
• The introduction of Rotta the Hutt brings back a character from The Clone Wars, expanding the Hutts' involvement in the galaxy.
• Rotta's return could lead to the creation of “Baby Jabba,” adding a cute new addition to Star Wars' marketing efforts.

There is a continuing tradition of A-list actors joining the world of Star Wars. As The Mandalorian & Grogu adds The bears Jeremy Allen White, the galaxy far, far away has landed another popular actor. Join the franchise as Rotta the Hutt, White's upcoming live-action debut Star Wars the film could see him become the next Baby Yoda of the franchise.

Following in the Footsteps of Laura Dern (The Last Jedi), Richard E. Grant (The Rise of Skywalker), Rosario Dawson (The Mandalorian), Jude Law (Skeleton Crew), and more, Jeremy Allen White is the latest big name to join the sci-fi franchise. More than playing an entirely new character created for Jon Favreau's film, he brings back an obscure addition from 2008's Star Wars: The Clone Wars and the subsequent television series.

Who is Rotta the Hutt?

The Mandalorian has already taken over popular Clone Wars characters, including Bo-Katan Kryze and Ahsoka Tano. It has folded into the Legends canon including Cobb Vanth and Boba Fett's survival, and expanded the Hutt empire via The book about Boba Fett. While fans only got a fleeting glimpse of Jabba the Hutt's twin cousins The book about Boba Fettit is clear that the Hutts still have a good reputation in the Outer Rim.

Jeremy Allen White has been confirmed as Rotta the Hutt, Jabba the Hutt's son last seen in The Clone Wars season 3. First time in The Clone Wars The movie Rotta was kidnapped under the orders of Count Dooku with the help of Ziro the Hutt – Rotta's great uncle. Asajj Ventress was revealed to be behind the kidnapping as Dooku's Sith acolyte, prompting a rescue mission by Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano. Rat was rescued on the planet Teth, but almost died on the way back to Tatooine. Ahsoka rescued Rotta and became particularly fond of him, even giving him the nickname “Stinky”.

Jabba's babies have hardly had a starring role. After briefly appearing in The Clone Wars season 3's “Sphere of Influence”, he was mentioned in “Hunt for Ziro” and received a throwaway confirmation in The Clone Wars: Stories of Light and Dark anthology. The fact that Rotta has been MIA from canon since then, missing out on major events like Jabba's death, has led to a lot of fan speculation as to where he has been.

After the return of Boba Fett The Mandalorian, Star Wars made the most of his place in a post-Return of the Jedi world to pick up the story of what happened in the aftermath of Jabba's death. The book about Boba Fett was not without its critics. Among the many underdeveloped plot points, some were disappointed by the fact that the supposedly formidable Hutts rolled over to let Boba take over Jabba's Palace. The heir to his father's throne could change that. Although Temuera Morrison has suggested that Boba Fett will not be included The Mandalorian & Groguthis could actually work in favor of bringing back Rotta.

Star Wars needs another baby Yoda

The Mandalorian & Grogu has confirmed the return of Star Wars Rebels' Zeb Orrelios, the return of Jonny Coyne as an Imperial Warlord who appeared in The Mandalorian season 3, and the beloved Babu Frik along with a mysterious role for the legendary Sigourney Weaver. Others from the Mandoverse are expected to appear, which means Rotta will need something to help him stand out from the crowd. Like Grogu made a name for himself as “Baby Yoda,” Rotta could be the next “Baby Jabba.” On merchandising alone, Disney could make a fortune on small Jabba plushies.

Although there are rumors that Rotta will break from the tradition of the usually portrayed Hutts shown on screen and appear as a buff Hutt like Jabba's cousin Bokku, he may still be an infant during the events of The Mandalorian & Grogu. Jabba the Hutt was 600 when he died on his sailing barge in Return of the Jedisuggesting that the Hutts have a long lifespan similar to Yoda and Grogus' species. StarWars.com confirmed that Rotta the Hutt was 55 inches The Clone Wars. With The Mandalorian & Grogu canceled about five years later Return of the Jedithat makes the gap between the two about 23 years. This means that Rotta may still be a relative youngster.

Star Wars keep trying to make “cute” additions like Porgs, Skeleton Crews adorable Neel, and the return of Gungi too The Bad Batch. But no one has had the marketing power that Baby Yoda has. The idea of ​​a Baby Jabba is nothing new, with 3D artist Leonardo Viti creating a concept for a pint version of the crime lord back in 2020. The idea took off, as Baby Jabba became an overnight sensation but was quickly forgotten. While some will surely accuse Disney of boot-camping the Baby Yoda schtick if a young Rat returns, it's likely the dollar signs are ringing in someone's eyes.

A young Rat also fits narratively, instead of moody teenage version. Ahsoka has already shown affection for Grogu, and given her history with Rotta, she could form her own daycare for wayward children. Then again, casting White in the role of Rat suggests he'll be more than a bubbling bundle of joy. Star Wars canon has never done the best of the Hutt empire, but Sigourney Weaver's casting may be a hint at this aspect of the film's direction. Star Wars OutlawsKay Vess, who has her own history with Jabba, looks like she was modeled after Weaver's Ellen Ripley. The Foreign star could play an older version of Vess, which would be another easy way to get Rotta back into the group.

As Star Wars continues to sharpen his canon and hopefully solve some long-standing mysteries, Rotta the Hutt's return has the potential to complete an arc that began 16 years ago. Din Djarin is no stranger to rescuing helpless baby aliens. And since the Hutt clan has lost most of its power by the time of the New Republic, Favreau has the chance to bring it back in a big way. Still with The Mandalorian & Grogu due to hit theaters on May 22, 2026, the film's plot is still shrouded in mystery.