Hot news has just dropped from Variety this evening, announcing a new cast member for Jon Favreau’s upcoming feature-length Star Wars film, The Mandalorian and Grogu.
The Bear’s Jeremy Allen White has apparently been tapped for the role of Jabba the Hutt’s son Rotta in the new film, which takes place after the events of Favreau’s Disney+ series The Mandalorian.
This comes as something of a surprise to many Star Wars fans out there, as Rotta has not been seen in any major capacity since The Clone Wars era. Rotta himself was the major plot device of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated feature film, and appeared in a single episode of the animated series that followed it. By the time of The Mandalorian and Grogu, Rotta will have aged considerably, but considering that Hutts can live for over a thousand years, it is hard to say if the character will be portrayed as a child, adult, or anything in between.
The Variety article notes that the presence of Jabba’s son could very well also indicate that Boba Fett, who took control of the Tatooine criminal underworld during the events of The Book of Boba Fett after Jabba’s demise, could also have a part to play in the upcoming film, of which plot specifics have been particularly scarce.
What do you think Rotta’s inclusion means for the continuing story of Din Djarin and his faithful companion? Are there any characters you’d like to see show up as well?
The Mandalorian & Grogu, also starring Pedro Pascal and Sigourney Weaver, is currently scheduled to be released in the United States on May 22, 2026.
