Summary
- Jeremy Allen White joins Star Wars as Rotta the Hutt, potentially the next Baby Yoda in the franchise.
- The introduction of Rotta the Hutt brings back a character from The Clone Wars, expanding the Hutts’ involvement in the galaxy.
- The return of Rotta could lead to the creation of “Baby Jabba,” adding a new cute addition to Star Wars marketing efforts.
There’s a continuing tradition of A-list actors joining the world of Star Wars. As The Mandalorian & Grogu adds The Bear’s Jeremy Allen White, the galaxy far, far away has landed another popular actor. Joining the franchise as Rotta the Hutt, White’s upcoming debut in the upcoming live-action Star Wars movie could see him become the franchise’s next Baby Yoda.
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 series. More than playing a brand-new character created for Jon Favreau’s movie, he’s bringing back an obscure addition from 2008’s Star Wars: The Clone Wars and the subsequent TV series.
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Who Is Rotta the Hutt?
The Mandalorian has already brought over popular Clone Wars characters, including Bo-Katan Kryze and Ahsoka Tano. It has folded in Legends canon including Cobb Vanth and Boba Fett’s survival, and expanded the Hutt empire via The Book of Boba Fett. While fans only got a fleeting glimpse of Jabba the Hutt’s twin cousins in The Book of Boba Fett, it’s clear the Hutts still have quite a reputation in the Outer Rim.
Jeremy Allen White has been confirmed as Rotta the Hutt, Jabba the Hutt’s son who was last seen in The Clone Wars season 3. First appearing in The Clone Wars movie, Rotta was kidnapped under the orders of Count Dooku with help from Ziro the Hutt – Rotta’s great uncle. It turned out that Asajj Ventress was behind the kidnapping as Dooku’s Sith acolyte, leading to a rescue mission from Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano. Rotta was saved on the planet Teth, but nearly died on his way back to Tatooine. Ahsoka saved Rotta and grew particularly fond of him, even nicknaming him ‘Stinky.’
Jabba’s infant son has 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 got a throwaway acknowledgment in The Clone Wars: Stories of Light and Dark anthology. The fact that Rotta has been MIA from canon since then, and missed out on major events like Jabba’s death, has led to much speculation from fans about where he’s been.
Following Boba Fett’s return in The Mandalorian, Star Wars made the most of its 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 of Boba Fett wasn’t without its critiques. 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. Even though Temuera Morrison has suggested Boba Fett won’t be in The Mandalorian & Grogu, this could actually work in favor of bringing back Rotta.
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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 alongside a mystery role for the legendary Sigourney Weaver. Others from the Mandoverse are expected to appear, meaning 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 tiny Jabba plushies.
Although there are rumors Rotta will break from the tradition of the usually portly Hutts displayed on screen and appear as a buff Hutt like Jabba’s cousin, Bokku, he might still be an infant during the events of The Mandalorian & Grogu. Jabba the Hutt was 600 when he died on his sail barge in Return of the Jedi, suggesting the Hutts have a long lifespan akin to Yoda and Grogu’s species. StarWars.com confirmed Rotta the Hutt was 55 in The Clone Wars. With The Mandalorian & Grogu set around five years after Return of the Jedi, it makes the gap between the two about 23 years. This means Rotta might still be a relative youngster.
Star Wars keeps trying to make ‘cute’ additions like Porgs, Skeleton Crew’s adorable Neel, and the return of Gungi for The Bad Batch. However, none have had the marketing power of Baby Yoda. The idea of a Baby Jabba is nothing new, with 3D artist Leonardo Viti creating a concept for a pint-sized version of the criminal overlord back in 2020. The idea took off, as Baby Jabba became an overnight sensation but was quickly forgotten. Even if some are sure to accuse Disney of rehashing the Baby Yoda schtick if a young Rotta returns, the dollar signs are likely ringing in someone’s eyes.
A young Rotta also fits narratively, instead of moody teen version. Ahsoka has already shown affection for Grogu, and given her history with Rotta, she could be forming her own crèche for wayward kids. Then again, casting White in the role of Rotta suggests he’ll be more than a babbling bundle of joy. Star Wars canon has never made the most of the Hutt empire, but Sigourney Weaver’s casting could be a hint as to this aspect of the movie’s direction. Star Wars Outlaws’ Kay Vess, who has her own history with Jabba, looks like she was modeled on Weaver’s Ellen Ripley. The Alien star could be playing an older version of Vess, which would be another easy way to bring Rotta back into the fold.
As Star Wars continues to tighten up its canon and hopefully solve some long-standing mysteries, the return of Rotta the Hutt has the potential to complete an arc that started 16 years ago. Din Djarin is no stranger to saving 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 them back in a big way. Still, with The Mandalorian & Grogu due to hit cinemas on May 22, 2026, the movie’s plot is still shrouded in mystery.
- Release Date
- November 12, 2019
- Cast
- Pedro Pascal , Katee Sackhoff , Carl Weathers , Giancarlo Esposito , Bill Burr , Temuera Morrison , Emily Swallow
- Streaming Service(s)
- Disney+