The Mandalorian and Grogu are bringing back a rather unusual character from Star Wars lore – one that many viewers had either forgotten or weren’t eager to remember. Before Grogu, affectionately known as Baby Yoda, captured hearts, George Lucas introduced another infant character to the Star Wars universe: a baby Hutt named Rotta. Unfortunately, Rotta didn’t become nearly as popular as Grogu.
Rotta the Hutt, first appearing in the 2008 film Star Wars: The Clone Wars, wasn’t a popular character and quickly faded into obscurity. However, after 16 years, this Hutt is making a surprising comeback. He’s now poised to play a major role in The Mandalorian & Grogu, the upcoming Star Wars movie that will bring the franchise back to theaters.
Who is Rotta the Hutt in ‘Star Wars’?
Warner Bros.
Dave Filoni and George Lucas developed the character Rotta the Hut for Star Wars: The Clone Wars. He was central to the 2008 animated movie, which was initially planned as the first episode of the TV series. George Lucas was so pleased with the result that he released it as a standalone film. In the movie, Rotta is introduced as Jabba the Hutt’s son and the future leader of his criminal organization.
Count Dooku orchestrates Rotta’s kidnapping as part of a plot to make the Jedi look bad and convince Jabba the Hutt to support the Separatists, blocking the Republic’s advance through his space. Anakin Skywalker and his new apprentice, Ahsoka Tano, rescue Rotta and prove the Jedi’s innocence, ensuring the boy receives the medical care he needs. As a thank you, Jabba agrees to let the Republic travel through his territory, a decision that eventually leads to an alliance with the future Galactic Empire.
The movie Star Wars: The Clone Wars came out in theaters in August 2008, but it wasn’t well-received by fans. While the later TV series became popular for expanding the backstory of the prequel films, the movie itself is still largely disliked. A major point of criticism was the childish humor, particularly jokes about the smell of a character named Rotta, who Ahsoka Tano even nicknamed “Stinky.” Many fans found characters like Ahsoka and Rotta to be annoying additions that didn’t fit with the original Star Wars films. Although Ahsoka’s character eventually became more appreciated, Rotta never did. He only appeared briefly once more in the series and was then never seen again.
Rotta the Hutt isn’t in Return of the Jedi and doesn’t appear in the sequel trilogy, which takes place over three decades after his father’s death. This led many fans to wonder what happened to him, and some playfully suggested he’d died without being shown on screen. Considering the negative reaction to his character, it seemed like he wouldn’t be coming back. However, sixteen years later, Rotta the Hutt has surprisingly returned.
Why Bring Back Rotta to ‘Star Wars’ Now?
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Rotta the Hutt will be back in the 2026 film, The Mandalorian & Grogu. Interestingly, both of his major Star Wars roles have been in movies spun off from Star Wars TV series. It’s quite a coincidence considering The Mandalorian & Grogu and Star Wars: The Clone Wars both started as planned TV episodes before being developed into films – a bit like a perfect rhyme, as George Lucas described when making The Phantom Menace.
The return of Rotta is surprising enough, but even more unexpected is that Jeremy Allen White – famous for playing Carmy in The Bear – will be voicing the character. This suggests Rotta will be a major player in The Mandalorian & Grogu, and the teaser trailer already shows him as a gladiator. Background information from comics and other Disney+ shows about the Hutt syndicate after Return of the Jedi hints at Rotta’s past and what he might do in the new film.
In the current Star Wars story, Boba Fett is now in charge of Jabba the Hutt’s criminal organization on Tatooine. The Book of Boba Fett revealed that Jabba’s cousins, known as the Twins, arrived from Nal Hutta to try and take over his territory. They even sent the Wookiee bounty hunter Black Krrsantan to try and kill Fett. After Fett survived the attack, the Twins apologized and left Tatooine, realizing that Jabba’s old territory actually belonged to the Pyke Syndicate and didn’t want a conflict over a planet they considered unimportant. The Twins are expected to appear in The Mandalorian & Grogu, as they are featured on the show’s promotional poster.
Mayor Mok Shaiz’s agreement regarding Jabba’s territory raises an interesting question: why would anyone – the Twins, Mok Shaiz, or even Boba Fett – have thought of Jabba’s son, Rotta, as a potential successor? It’s likely Rotta left his father’s criminal organization early on, perhaps due to typical teenage rebellion, or because he disagreed with Jabba’s pro-Empire stance. Rotta may have felt a stronger connection to the Jedi, considering they saved his life. The fact that Rotta isn’t seen with the other Hutt Council members in the Crimson Reign comic – which takes place between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi – suggests he might have cut ties with his family well before the Rebel Alliance gained prominence.
How Rotta the Hutt Will Factor into ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ and ‘Star Wars’ Future
Walt Disney Pictures
Rotta’s appearance in The Mandalorian & Grogu could be setting up a larger crossover movie involving several Disney+ shows, including The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, and Skeleton Crew. As a Hutt, Rotta is already connected to storylines in both The Mandalorian & Grogu and The Book of Boba Fett, where Din Djarin played a significant role. His interaction with Din Djarin and Grogu suggests a future reunion with Ahsoka Tano, the Jedi who rescued him when he was young. It’s even possible they’ve already met again, and Rotta is simply meeting Din Djarin as a favor to Ahsoka.
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For the past few years, Lucasfilm has largely concentrated on expanding the story between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens, even addressing plot points from the later sequel trilogy in shows set during the Empire’s rule. Introducing Rotta the Hutt in The Mandalorian & Grogu could establish the first truly heroic Hutt character, and potentially show an early ally for the Resistance.
Rotta, the son of a powerful figure, could potentially provide financial support to the Resistance. However, it’s uncertain if he’d be willing to help an organization led by Leia Organa, given her role in his father’s death. Introducing Rotta as an ally would be a surprising twist for The Mandalorian & Grogu, especially if he uses his power for positive change. Although initially seeming like an unnecessary addition with a touch of prequel-era silliness, Rotta the Hutt has the potential to become a compelling and complex character within the Star Wars universe.
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2026-02-05 23:04