For years, we’ve been tracking the God of Stories. We watched him go from the guy who lost to a “dull creature” in Stark Tower to the man literally holding the fabric of reality together at the center of the Multiverse, finally fulfilling his glorious purpose. It was a hell of an arc. But as we inch closer to Avengers: Doomsday, a new, darker theory is emerging—one that suggests Loki’s new job isn’t a permanent promotion, but a setup for the most violent transition of power in MCU history.
Fans of Jonathan Hickman’s 2015 Secret Wars run know just how important Owen Reece was to the event. As Molecule Man, Reece was the battery of Doctor Doom’s machine. He was the source of Doom’s godhood, the “living bomb” that allowed Victor to shape Battleworld from the wreckage of the incursions. But in the MCU? We haven’t met Owen Reece. We have, however, spent twelve years with Loki.
The Stand-In
Marvel isn’t going to spend time introducing a complex new character like Molecule Man to explain Doom’s power. Instead, they’re looking at the man already sitting on the throne at the end of time.
Loki’s position as the God of Stories, the man keeping the Multiverse together by sheer force of will, will reportedly make him a target of Doctor Doom. In an interesting adaptation of the Hickman beat, Doom is rumored to strip Loki of his God of Stories powers effectively using them as the conduit to stabilize his own version of reality, making Loki a stand-in for Owen Reece.
But Marvel reportedly isn’t stopping there. For those who remember Doom’s confrontation with Thanos in Secret Wars—the one where Victor casually reaches into the Mad Titan’s chest and pulls out his spine—there’s a growing belief that we’re going to see a remix of that moment.
If Doom is going to establish himself as the undisputed big bad of the Multiverse Saga, he needs a moment, like Thanos had in Avengers: Infinity War, that establishes him as a threat. He needs to kill a fan favorite to show he’s not playing around. If reports are accurate, that will come at the expense of Loki once again. Loki doesn’t just lose his power; he loses his life in a way that mirrors that iconic Hickman panel as his heart is ripped out by Victor…even if it is reportedly off screen. Doom ending the God of Stories isn’t just a power move—it’s a declaration that the Loki Era of the Multiverse is over and that there can be only Doom.
The Long Game
Hiddlestans aren’t going to like this. A Thor/Loki reunion would have been enjoyable, as would Loki the Avengers as Avenger Prime. But if the Russos are looking for maximum emotional impact, killing the man who is literally holding the Multiverse together is the fastest way to raise the stakes.
It’s brutal. It’s efficient. And frankly, it’s exactly the kind of move that makes a villain legendary. As always, keep the salt shaker nearby, but don’t be surprised if the “God of Stories” ends up being the foundation upon which Doom builds his empire.
However, following a series of massive leaks over the last 48 hours, the mystery appears to be solved. Trusted scooper Cryptic HD QUALITY has doubled down on earlier reports from Jeff Sneider, explicitly stating that the Stranger Things star is portraying the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Jean Grey.
The journey to this confirmation has been anything but linear. When Sink officially joined the cast of Spider-Man: Brand New Day in March 2025, she was famously cagey, calling the Jean Grey rumors “cool” but stopping short of a confirmation.
The most common question among fans is: Why introduce one of the most powerful X-Men in a Spider-Man movie? According to the latest leaks, the answer lies in the Department of Damage Control (DODC) and the fallout of the Multiverse Saga.
Reports from the Glasgow set suggest a sequence where Sink’s character is being hunted by the DODC. Insider Daniel Richtman has indicated that Sink’s character utilizes telepathic mind control—a hallmark of Jean Grey’s power set—to manipulate guards and potentially even turn Bruce Banner into the Hulk. And then, there are on-set descriptions that have consistently noted Sink wearing green and yellow—the signature colors of Jean Grey’s Marvel Girl.
By introducing Jean as a street-level mutant being persecuted by the government, Marvel Studios is effectively setting the stakes for the Mutant Saga before the X-Men even have a team. This grounds Jean in the 616 reality, making her a sympathetic figure Peter Parker feels compelled to protect. And it also makes one ask what might have happened to the Jean Grey from whatever universe the X-Men appearing in Avengers: Doomsday are native to.
The Road to Avengers: Secret Wars
Perhaps the most compelling piece of evidence for the Jean Grey reveal is Sink‘s reported future in the franchise. It has been widely reported that Sink will reprise her role in Avengers: Secret Wars, which begins filming in London later this year.
Casting an actress of Sink’s caliber for a multi-film arc—especially one that leads into the climax of the Multiverse Saga—only makes sense if she is playing a true heavy gitter. Jean Grey isn’t just a mutant; she is a cosmic entity. If the MCU plans on adapting the Phoenix Force in a post-Secret Wars world, Sink is the perfect anchor for what could unfold as a decade-long narrative.
The fastest franchise in Hollywood isn’t slowing down. Following the massive global success of the third installment, Paramount Pictures has officially moved into the next phase of the Blue Blur’s cinematic journey. Director Jeff Fowler took to Twitter today to confirm that production on Sonic the Hedgehog 4 has officially begun.
Fowler’s post featured a “Ready 4 Action” teaser image from the set, showing him holding a high-fidelity physical prop of Amy Rose’s Piko Piko Hammer against a backdrop of massive blue screens.
The Pink Hedgehog is Here: Kristen Bell Joins the Cast
The production start comes just weeks after the industry-shaking announcement that Kristen Bell (The Good Place, Frozen) has officially signed on to voice Amy Rose, who first appeared in a mid-credit scene in Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
The casting was first teased on IG by Ben Schwartz, where he posted a photo of the two actors holding their respective character figurines. Bell’s inclusion marks a major win for the franchise, bringing a voice-acting powerhouse to one of the most beloved characters in the Sonic lore.
The Rumor Mill: Metal Sonic, Time Travel, and “Sonic CD”
While Paramount is keeping the script under lock and key, the start of production has reignited a frenzy of rumors. Here’s a recap of what fans are expecting from the fourth installment in the franchise.
Many fans believe the fourth film will take heavy inspiration from the classic game Sonic CD, a theory bolstered by the fact that both Amy Rose and Metal Sonic debuted in that title. Rumors from reliable insiders suggest the plot revolves around a “Bad Future” scenario, that finds Sonic traveling through time to stop a world ruled by Dr. Robotnik’s automated army.
While Amy is the focus now, fans are already hunting for clues about Silver the Hedgehog. Rumors suggest he may not appear in the main film but is a prime candidate for the inevitable post-credits stinger for the film, which is set to release March 19, 2027.
The Multiverse is a fickle beast, and if the latest round of rumors circulating about the plot of Avengers: Doomsday are to be believed, its greatest protector might just be its new enforcer. While Benedict Cumberbatch has spent the last year playing coy with the press—famously telling Variety that Doctor Strange is taking a “hiatus” because the character “didn’t align” with the new post-Kang pivot—insiders are spinning a different yarn.
The Third-Eyed Sheriff
Fresh reports from industry insiders Daniel Richtman and Jeff Sneider suggest that Robert Downey Jr.’s Victor von Doom won’t be conquering the Multiverse alone. According to Richtman, Doom is flanked by a “Wizard Sidekick” who wears a variation of the Latverian mask, featuring a distinct slot on the forehead for a third eye.
This wizard reportedly wields a Sling Ring with lethal precision, acting as Doom’s primary enforcer and multiversal navigator. While Cumberbatch’s name wasn’t on the initial official cast list, multiple sources now claim he has filmed “pivotal, high-security scenes” in the UK under a production codename.
Why the Betrayal?
To understand why Stephen Strange would align with a tyrant like Doom, we have to look back at the ending of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Strange ended that film with a third eye, a physical manifestation of Darkhold corruption), and left with Clea to fix an Incursion he caused. Perhaps during their adventures, Strange and Doom crossed paths and a corrupted Strange chose to team up with Victor.
On the other hand, in Jonathan Hickman‘s 2015 Secret Wars, Strange serves as the “Sheriff of Agamotto” under God Emperor Doom because he believes Doom is the only one capable of saving any reality from total collapse. If this is the case, Avengers: Doomsday would likely include a flashback that might show us how the unusual pairing of sorcerers came to be.
Of course, there’s also a strong possibility that the “Wizard Sidekick” isn’t 616 Strange at all, but a variant—perhaps the “Sinister Strange” we met in the Incursion-ravaged universe—who survived and found a new master in Doom. But having such a character hidden behind a mask only to reveal he’s not “our” Strange wouldn’t really drop much of a hammer on the audience.
Murphy’s Theory: The Secret Wars Setup
If Strange is indeed the “Wizard Sidekick,” it reframes the entirety of Avengers: Doomsday. Instead of a standard hero-vs-villain romp, we are looking at a tragedy. The Avengers won’t just be fighting a man who looks like Tony Stark; they’ll be fighting a man they fought side-by-side with and trusted to hold the fabric of reality together.
This betrayal likely serves as the cliffhanger for the film. Imagine the Avengers finally unmasking Doom’s right hand, only to find a corrupted, third-eyed Stephen Strange staring back at them. It sets the stage for a redemption arc in Avengers: Secret Wars, Strange must answer for his choices…just like in Hickman’sSecret Wars.
As the Marvel Cinematic Universe hurtles toward the collision of realities in Avengers: Doomsday, the power vacuum left by the Multiverse’s decay is beginning to fill with some familiar, yet formidable, faces. While fans have been catching up on plot leaks detailing Victor von Doom’s plans, a new report from industry insider Daniel Richtman suggests that Doom won’t be ruling alone.
According to Richtman, Stephen Strange is set to serve as Doom’s primary lieutenant—a move that mirrors one of the most iconic dynamics in modern Marvel Comics history. Richtman’s report claims that “Doom’s right-hand man is “a wizard who can use a sling ring. He wears a mask similar to Doom’s, but with a slot for a third eye on his forehead.”
For those well-versed in Jonathan Hickman’s 2015 Secret Wars, this development feels like destiny. In that storyline, Strange takes on the mantle of Sheriff Strange, the high justice of Battleworld who serves at the right hand of God Emperor Doom. Strange’s decision wasn’t born of a heel turn, but of a desperate pragmatism; he believed Doom was the only being capable of stitching together the fragments of a dying multiverse. If this rumor holds true, Avengers: Doomsday may find our Master of the Mystic Arts making a similarly impossible choice—sacrificing his morality to preserve what’s left of existence.
Strange’s absence from the recent round spoilers left many with questions about why the only 616 hero with intimate knowledge of Incursions was nowhere to be found in the action. Richtman’s report would go a long way in explaining this, while setting up what would likely be a key reveal either late in Avengers: Doomsday or in its follow up, Avengers: Secret Wars.
With principal photography on Season 3 of Daredevil: Born Again set to get underway this month, the first bit of news about the new batch of episodes has emerged and it may well tie to one of the most prominent theories about what to expect from the third season.
According to Nexus Point News, 31-year old Jack Mulhern (Painkiller, Mare of Easttown) has joined the cast as a character named Phillip.
While NPN’s own speculation is that the character–who is described as “a smart and scrappy New Yorker who’s sweet and lovable with a hidden rageful side”–might be one of Wilson Fisk’s children, another interesting option might be considered.
Though he’s hardly one of Daredevil’s primary antagonists, Phillip Sterling caused plenty of problems for the character after being introduced in Daredevil #39 (1968). While it’s unlikely showrunner Dario Scardapane would choose to directly adapt the character, whose comic book resume is full of some odd bits that won’t fit at all with the studio’s vision for Daredevil: Born Again, one particular arc featuring Sterling would match well with the anticipated direction of Season 3.
Sterling had a long standing field with The Man Without Fear and went by a few aliases, including Death-Stalker, and was one of the few early Daredevil villains to know the heroes true identity. It’s been widely theorized that Season 3 will involve Murdock being exposed as Daredevil in an adaptation of Ed Brubaker‘s “The Devil in Cell-Block D.” Sterling also has comic book ties to both Karen Page, whom he kidnapped.
For some time now, principal photography on Avengers: Secret Wars–the final film in Marvel Studios potholed Multiverse Saga–was expected to start production early this summer. Though the beginning of production is always tricky to nail down when there are so many moving parts, June was often floated as a start date for the film, which is not due in theaters until December 2027. Now it seems there’s a bit of a delay.
According to industry insider Daniel Richtman, it is now expected that cameras won’t begin rolling on Avengers: Secret Wars until August.
While you can all but guarantee that the move will generate the usual distress among fans, it still leaves 16 months for the film to be shot and edited and allows for plenty of time for additional photography.
The return of Krysten Ritter as Jessica Jones in the upcoming second season of Daredevil: Born Again has generated serious hype and, truthfully, did so long before the actress’s return was confirmed. Ritter‘s performance as the streetwise smart ass was a highlight of the Netflix Defenders-verse series and there always seemed to be room for her to grow, especially considering the last two seasons of Jessica Jones were minimally inspired by the character’s adventures in the pages of Marvel Comics.
Season 2 of Daredevil: Born Again will see Jones once again team-up with Matt Murdock, this time facing Wilson Fisk’s corrupt takeover of New York City. It sounds as though that won’t be the last we see of Ritter in the role, however, as both she and Marvel’s streaming skipper Brad Winderbaum have teased that there’s more to come, with the latter teasing that whatever they have in mind will be “coming sooner than you think.”
There’s a lot of stuff that I’ve felt there was room to explore, and Brad and I talked and I am not going to say any of it, because we’re going to be doing it.
Krysten Ritter
Now, Daredevil: Born Again showrunner Dario Scardapane has added fuel to the fire in an interview with SFX Magazine, discussing where Jones picks up when we meet her again in the upcoming season and what the future has in store.
“One of the things we’ve leaned into is that time has passed between the end of the Netflix show and the beginning of ours,” Scardapane explained. “We’re acknowledging that. These characters have matured, they’ve gone through life. And Jessica Jones, bourbon-swilling smartass – what’s it like for her to mature seven years?“
Scardapane also revealed that he was a fan of the first season of Jessica Jones and immediately pitched her return to Marvel when he boarded Daredevil: Born Again. And it turns out he has some ideas in mind for her further adventures, based– believe it or not–on Marvel Comics.
“…what Melissa Rosenberg did with Season 1 of Jessica Jones is some of the finest superhero television work ever. When I first came talked to Marvel I was like, ‘We’ve got to bring Jessica Jones back!‘,” Scardapane said. “I don’t feel that her story ended. If you read the comic books, you’ll know that there’s a next chapter of her life that I thought was super interesting.”
As jarring as it is to hear a Marvel Studios creative reference being inspired by the comics, Jones’ interactions with the larger Marvel Universe seem unlikely to end up translating to the MCU, leaving her brief stint as Knightress, her time at the Daily Bugle and the family she and Luke Cage have as the only other options to mine for narrative ore.
‘DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN’ showrunner Dario Scardapane on the return of Jessica Jones:
“what Melissa Rosenberg did with Season 1 of Jessica Jones is some of the finest superhero television work ever. When I first came talked to Marvel I was like, 'We've got to bring Jessica Jones… pic.twitter.com/bIJmA95G0y
With annual releases becoming a priority for Marvel Television and Daredevil: Born Again serving as the studio’s flagship streaming series, production follows a pretty annual cadence and it’s just about time for cameras to roll on Season 3. As was the case with Season 2, that might mean fans can glean information about the third season of the series before they’ve seen all of Season 2, especially with much of the series filmed in and around New York City.
Moving forward our priorities have shifted. We’re making shows as shows that can exist as annual releases, more like television.
-Brad Winderbaum
Videos and photos from the NYC sets were plentiful while Season 2 was in production, revealing a city under siege by Mayor Wilson Fisk and his anti-vigilante task force; however, as prep for Season 3 begins, showrunner Dario Scardapane has revealed fans should not expect more of the same.
In an interview with SFX Magazine, Scardapane reveals that the series will be moving away from the Mayor Fisk story, opting to steep the new season in the street-level sauce of one of its iconic creators.
According to Scardapane, after a pair of politically-charged seasons, Daredevil: Born Again will be changing course, with the noir-stylings of Frank Miller as inspiration.
“The playbook is pretty well established, so when we were writing this stuff we were like, ‘Here’s what he does.’ The anti-vigilante task force is part of the comics. We built them and costumed them based on the comics. There are a few sequences that were shot a year ago that could be off the news, and it’s weirding all of us out,” explained Scardapane.
“Stan Lee once said that he wanted to make his comic books a reflection of the world you saw outside your window. Then I also believe that what’s fun about the genre, and definitely fun in working with superheroes, is you’re dealing with huge archetypes, almost mythological characters, and that’s fun writing,” Scardapane continued, foreshadowing a significant change of pace for Season 3.
“Getting into the realm of politics, New York politics, the Game of Thrones intrigue behind the scenes… okay, that’s fun too, but as it becomes almost too topical it feels like it’s going away from the large, mythological genre stuff,” he explained before adding that Season 2 will put a bow on the Mayor Fisk arc.
So as we finish up the Mayor Fisk run with season 2, as that storyline comes to its inevitable conclusion, what we’re doing going forward feels more like a return to the [Frank] Miller-era comics. So yeah, it was fun to play in the realm of politics but I like something a little more street level, personally.
-Dario Scardapane
Though he only wrote 30 issues of Daredevil, Miller’s work redefined the book by introducing Elektra and The Hand, and focusing on a more cynical and fatalistic approach to comics. With little to mine from Miller’s work, it certainly seems possible that rumors of the return of Elektra to the series, perhaps this time as an adversary to Daredevil, seem increasingly plausible.
In 2019, Lucasfilm’s The Mandalorian debuted on D+, launching the studio’s streaming era. The Jon Favreau-led franchise introduced a pair of characters who were quickly embraced by fans and allowed for many characters from beloved animated series to make the jump to live-action. Through three seasons, the adventures of Din Djarin and Grogu have carved out a significant corner of the galaxy far, far away and six-and-a-half years later, Lucasfilm is returning Star Wars to theaters with The Mandalorian and Grogu.
The Mandalorian–with help from The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka and Skeleton Crew–has revealed that the New Republic is far from a peaceful era but rather a transitional one in which disparate Imperial remnants sow discord, the Shadow Council seeks to consolidate power and, most terrifyingly, Grand Admiral Thrawn has returned from exile, ready to claim his title as Heir to the Empire. As if that wasn’t fertile enough narrative ground, Din Djarin’s past as a bounty hunter will also play a major role in the film as two ghosts of the Clone Wars have re-emerged from the Outer Rim to appear in the film: Rotta the Hutt, the only legitimate heir to Jabba’s fallen empire, and Embo, the legendary Kyuzo hunter.
Between a growing number of adversaries and a new galactic war stands the Clan of Two. To understand the collision course set for May 22, 2026, fans must look back at the scars of Mandalore, the secret cloning projects of the Empire, and the blood-soaked history of the Bounty Hunters’ Guild. Truly, The Mandalorian and Grogu looks to be one of the final of nearly two decades of Dave Filoni-era storytelling. And so, to help you fully embrace and enjoy the first Star Wars story to hit the big screen since 2019, we present The Ultimate List of What to Watch Before The Mandalorian and Grogu…
📂 Intelligence Dossier: The Path to The Mandalorian and Grogu
Subject: Tactical Prep for the May 22, 2026 Premiere
Briefing: The collision of Mandalorian Creed, Hutt Succession, and New Republic Jurisprudence.
The core narrative of Din Djarin and Din Grogu establishes the father/son dynamic of the Clan of Two.
Series / Chapter
Chapters
Thematic Notes
Runtime
The Mandalorian Season 1
1–8
The Creed, the Client, and the discovery of Grogu.
4h 55m
The Mandalorian Season 2
9–16
The search for the Jedi and the return of the Darksaber.
5h 15m
The Book of Boba Fett
5–7
The Reunion How Din got his N-1 and why Grogu is back.
2h 20m
The Mandalorian Season 3
17–24
The Siege of Mandalore and the official adoption of Din Grogu.
5h 50m
TOTAL PHASE I
18h 20m
To understand the movie, you must know the history of Din Djarin and his foundling, Grogu. This includes all three seasons of The Mandalorian as well as the “hidden” Season 2.5 found in The Book of Boba Fett.
The Mandalorian: Season 1
The Child and the Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) in THE MANDALORIAN, exclusively on Disney+
Chapters 1–8: The discovery of Grogu, the betrayal of the Guild, and the first showdown with Moff Gideon.
Analyzing the lethal history of the movie’s primary hunter.
Series / Episode
Title
Thematic Notes
Runtime
The Clone Wars Season 2, Episode 17
Bounty Hunters
Intro to the shield-hat and pet Anooba.
22m
The Clone Wars Season 3, Episode 4
Sphere of Influence
Establishes Embo as a high-level political mercenary.
22m
The Clone Wars Season4, Episodes 15-18
Obi-Wan Undercover Arc
Survival training alongside Cad Bane. Peak tactical feats.
1h 28m
The Clone Wars Season 4, Episode 20
Bounty
Working with a young Boba Fett as part of Krayt’s Claw.
22m
The Clone Wars Season 4, Episode 22
Revenge
Underworld alliances and high-stakes melee combat.
22m
The Clone Wars Season 5, Episode 1
Revival
Tracking the shift in criminal power during the Sith rise.
22m
The Clone Wars Season 6, Episode 5
An Old Friend
The Scipio snow-chase vs. Anakin.
22m
TOTAL PHASE II
4h 00m
As rumored last year and confirmed in the trailer, the deadly Kyuzo bounty hunter Embo will be featured as one of the film’s primary antagonists. Embo isn’t just a villain; he’s a veteran who has been active since the Clone Wars. These key episodes from the beloved animated series show why he is a physical match for a Mandalorian.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars Animated Series
Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Season 2, Episode 17 “Bounty Hunters” (21 BBY)
Embo makes his first appearance in an episode dedicated to the memory of legendary Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa, admired greatly by George Lucas and whose work significantly inspired The Creator’s vision for Star Wars.
After a crash landing on Felucia, Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka seek aid from the local spice farmers only to learn that the villagers are the ones who are in real need. Beset by Hondo Ohnaka and his band of pirates, the farmers have contracted four bounty hunters to protect them.
-Official synopsis via StarWars.com
The death toll rises! As the battles intensify, and threaten a growing number of Republic worlds, planets are left to survive on their own. While the Jedi struggle to fight a war on many fronts, a series of medical stations have been established as a lifeline for those in need, but the facilities are easy prey for Separatist attacks. After losing contact with the medical station orbiting Felucia, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano are sent to investigate…
Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Season 3, Episode 4 “Sphere of Influence” (21 BBY)
Though it’s just a cameo appearance, the episode establishes Embo’s decades-long relationship with the Hutts.
Chairman Papanoida’s daughters, Chi Eekway and Che Amanwe, are kidnapped and held for ransom and it’s up to Ahsoka Tano and the Senator from Pantora, Riyo Chuchi, to aid the new chairman and his son in recovering their family members.
-Official synopsis via StarWars.com
Pantora in peril! The newly elected Chairman of Pantora, Baron Papanoida, is caught in a deadly political game. The Trade Federation has blockaded Pantora and suspended all commerce with the system. Isolated from the rest of the Republic, the people of Pantora are beginning to rally against the Senate, who have seemed unsympathetic to their plight.
To make matters worse, Count Dooku has come forward offering aid if Pantora joins the Separatist Alliance. Chairman Papanoida has dispatched Senator Chuchi to Coruscant with the hope that she can motivate the Senate to act in favor of Pantora before Lott Dod can legitimize the blockade….
In addition to those individual episodes, a classic arc also helps to establish Embo’s status among the galaxy’s hunters.
Obi-Wan Undercover
Though he only appears in two of them, this four-episode arc establishes Embo as one of the galaxy’s preeminent bounty hunters.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Season 4, Episode 15, “Deception” (20 BBY)
When the Jedi learn of a Separatist plot to kidnap Chancellor Palpatine, one of them must go deep undercover as a hardened criminal to extract information from the conspirators.
-Official synopsis via StarWars.com
A terrorist threat! Moralo Eval, mastermind of a Separatist plot to kidnap Chancellor Palpatine, has been captured by Republic forces. But even with the criminal behind bars, rumors swirl in the underworld of Coruscant that Moralo’s plot has already been set in motion.
With precious time running out, the Jedi Council hatches their own plot to keep the Chancellor safe….
Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Season 4, Episode 16, “Friends and Enemies” (20 BBY)
Fleeing across the galaxy with criminal fugitives, a disguised Obi-Wan, Cad Bane and Moralo Eval are tenaciously pursued by Anakin and Ahsoka, who have no idea they’re chasing their friend.
-Official synopsis via StarWars.com
Fugitives on the run! Disguised as Jedi killer Rako Hardeen, Obi-Wan Kenobi works undercover to solve a Separatist plot against Chancellor Palpatine. Obi-Wan meets the plot’s mastermind, Moralo Eval, breaking him out of jail to gain his trust. But now Kenobi faces another obstacle: bounty hunter Cad Bane.
Can Obi-Wan Kenobi overcome Bane’s suspicions? Or will the ruthless criminal see through his disguise and expose the Jedi? Only time will tell….
Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Season 4, Episode 17, “The Box” (20 BBY)
The disguised Obi-Wan accompanies Cad Bane and Moralo Eval to Count Dooku’s home planet of Serenno, where they enlist in a brutal competition with other bounty hunters from around the galaxy to determine who will participate in a plot to kidnap the Chancellor.
-Official synopsis via StarWars.com
Obi-Wan Kenobi in disguise! Working undercover as assassin Rako Hardeen, Obi-Wan leads a secret mission to uncover the Separatist plot against Chancellor Palpatine. Using cunning and courage, he gains the trust of bounty hunter Cad Bane and criminal mastermind Moralo Eval, earning him entrance into the stronghold of Separatist leader, Count Dooku. Now, it is here, on the beautiful planet of Serenno, that a barbaric contest will determine the fate of Obi-Wan Kenobi and possibly the Republic itself….
Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Season 4, Episode 18, “Crisis on Naboo”
The Chancellor travels to Naboo to preside over a public ceremony, guarded by Jedi Knights. Dooku and his bounty hunters — including an undercover Obi-Wan Kenobi — launch their kidnapping plot.
-Official synopsis via Star wars.com
Supreme Chancellor in peril! After surviving the ordeals of the Box, Obi-Wan Kenobi — working undercover as assassin Rako Hardeen — is invited to join Count Dooku’s plot against Chancellor Palpatine. Working with a team of deadly bounty hunters, Obi-Wan travels to the planet of Naboo, where the Chancellor will preside over the Festival of Light. Now, as the Jedi Council and Count Dooku finalize their respective plans, a deadly confrontation seems inevitable….
Embo makes two more brief appearances in Season 4 that reveal his association with Boba Fett and Tatooine’s hive of scum and villainy, Mos Eisley.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Season 4, Episode 20, “Bounty” (20 BBY)
Forced into exile, an aimless Asajj Ventress joins a team of bounty hunters under the leadership of young Boba Fett. On an alien world, they undertake a dangerous but profitable mission that tests the strength of Asajj’s character.
-Official synopsis via StarWars.com
Abandoned! After an assassination attempt by his forsaken apprentice, Asajj Ventress, Count Dooku launches a brutal counterattack against the Nightsisters, massacring the entire clan. Forced into exile, Ventress wanders far into the Outer Rim, among the castaways and vagabonds of the galaxy, seeking her new life that was foretold by Mother Talzin….
Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Season 4, Episode 22, “Revenge” (20 BBY)
Savage and Maul, now reunited, pursue Obi-Wan Kenobi in search of revenge, and the Jedi Knight finds himself forced to unite with a surprising ally to defend himself.
-Official synopsis via StarWars.com
Brothers reunited! Darth Maul, the sinister Sith thought to have been destroyed so many years ago by Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, was found alive by his brother, Savage Opress, and taken back to Mother Talzin on Dathomir.
Though Darth Maul’s memory has yet to be fully restored, his need for vengeance has awakened, more powerful than ever….
Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Season 5, Episode 1, “Eminence” (19 BBY)
Hired by the Hutts to take out Maul, Embo also tangles with Mandalorians and the Shadow Collective, deepening his ties to the action in The Mandalorian and Grogu.
Savage and Maul forge an alliance with Death Watch to target a common enemy: Obi-Wan Kenobi.
-Official synopsis via StarWars.com
Evil alliance! Darth Maul and Savage Opress escape Obi-Wan Kenobi’s assault once again. With their plan to build a crime organization in peril, the brothers’ fate is about to be changed forever as they drift barely alive, through unknown space…..
Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Season 6, Episode 5, “An Old Friend” (19 BBY)
Embo is the primary physical threat in this episode and the “Scipio Snow Chase” is widely considered one of his best moments in the entire series. Embo is hired to assassinate an old friend of Padme’s, Senator Rush Clovis, on the planet Scipio to prevent him from exposing the Banking Clan’s corruption. He manages to kill Padmé’s aide, Teckla Minnau, with a sniper shot and then engages in a high-speed chase with Anakin, Padmé, and Clovis. Using his hat as a snowboard/sled to pursue their speeder down a mountain, Embo actually survives a direct confrontation with Anakin–a rare feat for any bounty hunter.
While on Scipio, Padmé Amidala is called upon by an old friend, Rush Clovis, to help uncover corruption in the Banking Clan. They must evade the bounty hunter Embo to escape the planet with the incriminating information.
-Official synopsis via StarWars.com
As the war between the Republic and the Separatists intensifies, many are driven from their home planets, and it is up to Senator Amidala to secure aid for them. All eyes turn to the Banking Clan and the planet Scipio. In an effort to remain independent from the Republic and the Separatists, all operations are divided, and money transactions are performed in a neutral zone surrouding the main vault. For operations to continue, there must be no war on Scipio. However, worry about the stability of the Banking Clan is brewing within the Republic as the wellspring of money may be in jeopardy….
The history of the Hutt throne and the lineage of the asset, Rotta.
Title
Source
Thematic Notes
Runtime
The Clone Wars
Film (2008)
Origin: Anakin and Ahsoka rescue baby Rotta.
1h 38m
Return of the Jedi
Episode VI
The Power Vacuum: The fall of Jabba the Hutt.
2h 11m
The Book of Boba Fett
Chapters 1-4
The Rivals: Introduction of the Twins and their claim.
3h 10m
TOTAL PHASE III
6h 59m
After 25+ years on the sidelines, the sole legitimate heir to the throne of Jabba the Hutt, his son, Rotta, returns to the Star Wars universe. Voiced by Jeremy Allen White, Rotta will appear much changed in The Mandalorian and Grogu and is rumored to be central to the plot. It is believed that Embo will be hired to take out Rotta and that Din Djarin will be stepping in to save Jabba’s Pedunkee Mufkin–though it isn’t exactly clear who either employs either hunter. However, with Boba Fett occupying his father’s palace and serving as the Daimyo of Mos Espa, Boba may have some role to play.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars 2008 film (22 BBY)
Rotta’s story begins here, as a pawn in the Confederacy of Independent Systems’ plot to use trade routes running through Hutt Space. Kidnapped by pirates at the order of Count Dooku and at the behest of his uncle Ziro, Rotta is rescued by Anakin and Ahsoka.
A galaxy divided! Striking swiftly after the Battle of Geonosis, Count Dooku’s droid army has seized control of the major hyperspace lanes, separating the Republic from the majority of its clone army. With few clones available, the Jedi generals cannot gain a foothold on the Outer Rim as more and more planets choose to join Dooku’s Separatists. While the Jedi are occupied fighting a war, no one is left to keep the peace. Chaos and crime spread, and the innocent become victims in a lawless galaxy. Crime lord Jabba the Hutt’s son has been kidnapped by a rival band of pirates. Desperate to save his son, Jabba puts out a call for help—a call the Jedi are cautious to answer…
Rotta’s only other appearance comes in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Season 3, Episode 4, “Sphere of Influence”, which is listed above.
Star Wars: Episode VI-Return of the Jedi (4 ABY)
The death of Jabba left a void that Bib Fortuna, the Mining Collective and the Red Key Syndicate all tried to exploit. Should Rotta return to Tatooine and claim his throne, he could unite the Hutt Clans, making the Outer Rim less friendly to the Shadow Council.
The Book of Boba Fett also introduced the Hutt twins, who debuted alongside fan-favorite Wookiee bounty hunter Black Krrsantan. Chapter 2, “The Tribes of Tatooine”, and lay claim to their cousin Jabba’s empire. They eventually left the planet but they are set to return in The Mandalorian and Grogu and could have a fat hand in the plot against Rotta.
Though it’s not confirmed, Boba Fett may be intimately involved in the resolution of the main conflict in The Mandalorian and Grogu. By the end of The Book of Boba Fett, Din Djarin and Boba Fett are essentially brothers-in-arms. Any threat to one is a threat to both. And if the movie deals with a Hutt succession crisis on Tatooine, Boba is no longer just a cameo—he is the local sovereign. After serving as Fett’s lieutenant in Krayt’s Claw, Embo could find himself at odds with Boba in the film.
The background of New Republic heavy-hitter Garazeb “Zeb” Orrelios.
Series / Episode
Title
Thematic Notes
Runtime
Rebels Season 1, Episodes 1-2
Spark of Rebellion
Introduction to the Bo-Rifle and Lasat combat style.
44m
Rebels Season 2, Episode 17
The Honorable Ones
Zeb’s moral core and his capacity for unlikely alliances.
22m
TOTAL PHASE IV
1h 06m
After making his live-action debut in Season 3 of The Mandalorian, Garazeb “Zeb” Orrelios returns in a supporting role in The Mandalorian and Grogu. Zeb has been established as a pilot and soldier for the New Republic based out of Adelphi Outpost. His involvement in the film almost certainly coincides with the official government response to the Imperial Remnant’s activity. While everyone should watch Star Wars Rebels in its entirety, here’s a primer for those unfamiliar with everyone’s favorite Lasat.
Star Wars Rebels, Season 1, Episodes 1 and 2, “The Spark or Rebellion”
It is a dark time. The Jedi are no more, and the Empire rules the galaxy with an iron fist — bringing tyranny to the Outer Rim world of Lothal. Their ominous presence is a cloud over the planet, squashing any hope of freedom or a better life, especially for 14-year-old orphan Ezra Bridger. But the young con artist soon finds that destiny has other plans for him, as he encounters a small band of rebels who dare to strike back against the Empire.
-Official description via StarWars.com
Star Wars Rebels, Season 2, Episode 17, “The Honorable Ones”
Zeb and Agent Kallus find themselves stranded on an icy moon of Geonosis after a failed Imperial ambush of the rebels. Bitter enemies, they must put aside their differences and work together in order to survive.
-Official description via StarWars.com
📉 Final Journey Metrics
Grand Total Runtime: ~30 Hours, 25 Minutes
Core Episodes: 43
Feature Films: 2
With the return of Rotta the Hutt and the relentless pursuit of Embo, The Mandalorian and Grogu is doing more than just continuing Din Djarin’s journey—it is reconciling the lawless legacy of the Clone Wars with the fragile peace of the New Republic. Since 2019, fans have watched the “Mandoverse” through the lens of individual survival. But should the Hutt Twins move to reclaim Jabba’s throne and the Adelphi Rangers continue to struggle to maintain order, the stakes have shifted, especially with the Heir to the Empire having returned. We are no longer just looking at a bounty hunter and his foundling; we are witnessing a fight for the soul of the Outer Rim and, by extension, the rest of the galaxy far, far away.
About The Mandalorian and Grogu:
Directed by Jon Favreau, Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu also stars Sigourney Weaver and Jeremy Allen White and is produced by Jon Favreau, Kathleen Kennedy, Dave Filoni, and Ian Bryce, with music composed by Ludwig Göransson.
The evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they have enlisted the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu.
-Official synopsis for The Mandalorian and Grogu
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