A long time ago, in a galaxy not too far away, Lucasfilm published and snail mailed Bantha Tracks, fka The Official Star Wars Fanclub Newsletter, which was essentially the ultimate lifeline for the first generation of Star Wars fans.
When Star Wars exploded in 1977, Lucasfilm was utterly overwhelmed by fan mail. Charles Lippincott, Lucasfilm’s head of marketing, realized they needed a centralized way to communicate with their rapidly growing fandom. The fan club was officially formed in 1978. When the newsletter first launched, it had a highly literal, uninspired title: The Official Star Wars Fan Club Newsletter. Looking for something with more personality, the club ran a contest in Issue #2 asking fans to submit a better name. A teenager from Ohio named Preston Postle won with the suggestion Bantha Tracks—a clever nod to the massive Tatooine beasts. The new banner debuted on Issue #5 in 1979 which also marked the first mention of something called Imperial Shock Troopers.
In 1982, the Imperial Shock Troopers morphed into Mandalorians in the pages of Star Wars #68, which expanded on the history of Boba Fett. Though those original Star Wars comics aren’t canon–which means the world building done within them doesn’t hold water–the interest built because of them continues to be crucial to the current New Republic Era stories being told, primarily, by Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni. On occasion, chapters of The Mandalorian have felt like Favreau was furthering the fantasy inspired in young fans by the original Star Wars films and the insider tidbits delivered in Bantha Tracks.
Over three seasons of The Mandalorian, Favreau made nothing into something…and something substantial and beautiful at that. Favreau found a corner of Lucas’ lived-in universe and, expanding on the foundation Filoni poured in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels, built a post-Imperial saga skyscraper that stands tall among the tales spun by The Creator and his legacy. And in The Mandalorian and Grogu, Favreau spins not only a worthy new chapter to his own story but one steeped in everything Lucas meant Star Wars to be and always wanted to tell himself.
Mandalorians are stronger together.
Bo-Katan Kryze
It seems clear that the primary objective of the film is to establish Din Grogu as a full-fledged Mandalorian. Though he could not speak the words, Din Djarin’s foundling took the Creed in Chapter 24 of The Mandalorian and now walks the way of the Mandalore. Now partnered with his father as an independent contractor for the New Republic, Grogu finds himself on a mission that ultimately serves as an opportunity for The Child to prove his worth as the apprentice of Din Djarin.
And in that pursuit, The Mandalorian and Grogu reveals it’s as Star Wars as Star Wars gets. Full of high stakes, exotic locales, larger-than-life heroes, weird and menacing monsters and relentless momentum, Favreau‘s film fits perfectly in the seams of the larger Star Wars universe Lucas imagined and outlined but was never able to attend to, despite his best intentions. Mando’s mission, assigned by New Republic Colonel Ward, takes him and his apprentice to the noxious Nal Hutta and the noir-inspired Shakari where they find themselves in the midst of a classic gangster double cross involving Rotta the Hutt and Janu Coin, an Imperial warlord first seen in Chapter 23 of The Mandalorian.
While the film is full of fantastic action sequences, a top notch score and some incredible visuals, it’s also full of the familiar archetypes Lucas built the franchise around. Good and evil. Fathers and sons. Choices and consequences. Betrayal and redemption. Though it may not feel like an overly impactful chapter in the New Republic saga, The Mandalorian and Grogu does just enough on that front to tie into the ongoing narrative and make it clear that the conflict between the Adelphi Base crew and the Imperial Remnant is coming to a head. But what it really is, for the first generation of fans, is the kind of story that only existed in the corners of our minds or non-canon novelizations now brought to life on the big screen. A Star Wars film made for Star Wars fans by Star Wars fans. It’s a Bantha Tracks fever dream and one of the best non-saga projects made to date.
Sigourney Weaver’s role in The Mandalorian and Groguhas proven fertile ground for theorizing about her character’s potential for betrayal. Reports indicate that her Colonel Ward is the one who pushes Mando in the direction of Jeremy Allen White’s Rotta the Hutt, effectively using the Mandalorian as a heat sink to draw out rival syndicates while she quietly consolidates power for the Imperial Shadow Council. But thanks to a massive new feature in the May 2026 issue of Empire Magazine, we finally have the lore bomb we’ve been waiting for and some compelling evidence she may indeed be one of the good guys!
It turns out Ward isn’t just a new face in the New Republic—she is a foundational piece of the Rebellion’s history who, quite literally, went through it alongside the galaxy’s most sacred legends.
“We Go Way Back”: The Leia Connection
The headline-grabbing quote from the Empire feature comes directly from Weaver herself. When asked about her character’s history before the events of the film, Weaver dropped a bombshell: “We go way back,” she said, referring to her character’s relationship with Princess Leia Organa.
According to Lucasfilm President–and the architect of the New Republic era–Dave Filoni, Colonel Ward belongs to an elite cohort of female leaders who were instrumental in dismantling the Empire. Filoni explicitly named Ward in the same breath as Mon Mothma, Hera Syndulla, Amilyn Holdo, and Leia Organa.
As Filoni puts it, these women formed a “fearless backbone” of the Rebellion. They weren’t just politicians; they were “crack pilots” and “military leaders” who survived the darkest days of the Galactic Civil War. By placing Weaver‘s character in this specific group, Lucasfilm is instantly giving Colonel Ward a level of Rebel Cred that usually takes three seasons of a TV show to establish.
The “70s Unrest” Inspiration
One of the most interesting aspects of the interview is how Weaver connects her Star Wars debut to her own real-world history. She compared the energy of the early Rebellion to the social unrest of the 1970s—specifically the protests against the Vietnam War.
To be playing someone who is from that time, and from that history, who would have been a cohort of these guys, is a great honor. The ’70s, all the unrest, fighting against the [Vietnam] war. People had that sense of unity. It clicks into a whole thing for George Lucas, and I’m the same generation.
-Sigourney Weaver
George Lucas has stated in the past that he originally modeled the Rebel Alliance in part on the Viet Cong and the anti-war movement. By casting an icon of that exact cinematic era, Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni are tapping into the DNA of the original trilogy. Colonel Ward isn’t just a character; she’s a personification of the grit it took to topple an Empire.
So, how does a friendship with Leia Organa affect a movie about a Mandalorian and his foundling? It all comes down to trust.
In the film, Ward is the one who recruits Din Djarin for what Weaver describes as a “very tricky, very hard commission.” She chooses the Mandalorian not because the New Republic is lazy, but because she—as a veteran who has seen the true face of war—understands that the peace they currently enjoy is fragile, as Filoni so aggressively made clear in Season 1 of Ahsoka.
While the New Republic Senate, likely led by a frustrated Mon Mothm, is busy with bureaucracy, Ward is the action-oriented leader who knows that the Imperial Shadow Council is a cancer that needs to be cut out. Her history with Leia suggests she possesses that Organa-style pragmatism: sometimes you have to break the rules to save the galaxy.
While Filoni and Weaver are painting a beautiful picture of Rebel sisterhood, we cannot ignore the persistent rumors of a “Third Act Betrayal.”
If Ward is as close to the Rebel founding mothers as they say, her being a secret Imperial mole—or a First Order sympathizer—would be among the most devastating blow Lucasfilm has ever dealt to the fanbase. Imagine the fallout if the woman who “went way back” with Leia turns out to be the one who sells out Grogu to the Remnant.
Whether she’s a hero or a hidden villain, the choice to tie Ward to Leia is a nice touch of world-building. It gives the film an emotional anchor to the original trilogy and raises the stakes for everything Din Djarin is about to do.
If you think Sigourney Weaver joined the Star Wars universe just to play a generic mentor for Din Djarin, you may have been successfully misdirected by the Lucasfilm marketing machine. While the early promotional material paints her Colonel Ward as a hero of the Rebellion and a decorated leader of the Adelphi Rangers, emerging evidence has lead to theories that she is actually the ultimate Trojan Horse for the Imperial Remnant.
Weaver’s casting was originally reported under the character name “Colonel Bishop.” Given Weaver’s position as the OG Queen in the world of sci-fi, that name may well be portending a betrayal. Just as the android Bishop in Aliens subverted expectations about artificial persons, Weaver’s role in The Mandalorian and Grogu could subvert everything Mando thinks he knows about his new New Republic employers.
The core of the theory that Ward is a Traitor stems the nature of the missions she’s assigning. Reports indicate that Ward is the one who pushes Mando in the direction of Jeremy Allen White’s Rotta the Hutt, effectively using the Mandalorian as a heat sink to draw out rival syndicates while she quietly consolidates power for the Imperial Shadow Council.
Given the long form narrative that has unfolded over three seasons of The Mandalorian, such a betrayal could very well be more than just a theory—it would be the logical endpoint of the New Republic rot that was first introduced with the Elia Kane reveal on Coruscant. If Ward represents the cancer within the New Republic military, by the time the third act hits, Mando won’t just be fighting droids and Hutt mercenaries; he’ll be fighting the very woman who gave him his orders.
Don’t get attached to the idea of Sigourney Weaver as a New Republic icon. If she’s the woman who sells out the galaxy’s favorite duo, and the fallout from her betrayal is going to chart the course for the entire future of the MandoVerse… especially if it sets them on a collision course with Grand Admiral Thrawn.
We are officially two months away from the theatrical return of Star Wars, and while the marketing for The Mandalorian and Grogu is ramping up with shiny Empire Magazine covers and LEGO reveals, a new development behind the scenes is giving some fans a reason to pause.
A new listing from the Writers Guild of America (WGA) has finally confirmed the screenwriting team for the May 22 release. While Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni are the expected architects, a third name has appeared on the masthead: Noah Kloor.
The Boba Fett Connection
For those of you who don’t spend your nights memorizing the production credits of the Mandoverse, Kloor’s name carries a specific weight. He was a staff writer on every single episode of The Book of Boba Fett—a series that remains the most divisive entry in the New Republic era.
While Kloor‘s involvement is not necessarily an indicator of anything treacherous, Star Wars fans are Star Wars fans, after all. Kloor’s presence suggests that the movie may feel more like an event miniseries than a standalone cinematic epic and for a film that fans are already waxing negatively about, it may not be the way. On the other hand, bringing Kloor onto a project set to feature the Hutt twins–who debuted in The Book of Boba Fett–could simply be a smart move intended to ensure attention to continuity
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.
Star Wars fans were thoroughly underwhelmed by the first teaser for The Mandalorian and Grogu; however, to be fair, Star Wars fans are thoroughly underwhelmed by anything Star Wars-related. The pulpy teaser gave almost nothing away, showing only glimpses of new characters and a few solid looking action sequences but it was also accompanied by a first synopsis which teased the idea of Din Djarin and Grogu tracking down the Shadow Council in the film.
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 Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu.
-Official synopsis for The Mandalorian and Grogu
The Shadow Council made its first canonical appearance in Chuck Wendig‘s 2017 novel Aftermath: Life Debt where, led by Admiral Gallius Rax, they planned to overthrow the New Republic. The machinations of the Shadow Council, which consisted of Rax, Rae Sloane, Brendol Hux, Ferric Obdur, Grand Moff Rand and Hodnar Borrum, were thought to be thwarted with their defeat at the Battle of Jokku, however, as seen in Chapter 23 of The Mandalorian, it has been reformed and included Moff Gideon.
The Shadow Council
Gideon has since been incinerated and the council has scattered but with Grand Admiral Thrawn making his way back from Peridea, they will still pose a major threat to the galaxy. Interestingly, a rumored new synopsis, discovered on a German Blu-ray site, explains that Din Djarin and Grogu will be hunting down the Imperial remnants, leading them to an powerful ancient artifact.
The Empire has been defeated and the remnants of its force scattered to the far corners of the galaxy. Yet some of the former commanders of this dark era cling to their power and have become dangerous warlords. Din Djarin together with his apprentice Grogu track down and neutralize these cells. Several clues lead them to Khar’Zuun where they not only manage to infiltrate an almost forgotten imperial facility but Grogu also discovers an ancient artifact that functions as an amplifier of his abilities.
-Rumored synopsis for The Mandalorian and Grogu
While there’s been no confirmation of the recently found synopsis being official, the idea that Grogu discovers an “ancient artifact that functions as an amplifier of his abilities” is incredibly interesting and does remain consistent with the type of Legends lore that Jon Favreau has consistently mined in craftingThe Mandalorian. From Dark Troopers to lightsaber-proof Beskar, Favreau has incorporated concepts from what was previously known as the expanded universe into the streaming series and, if he’s doing it yet again, there are plenty of options for what the artifact discovered by Grogu might be, including holocrons, the Great Crystal of Aantonaii or something else entirely. Whatever the case, it’s likely Favreau will use The Mandalorian and Grogu to once again dive deep into Legends lore.
Though set in the previously unexplored New Republic era, Lucasfilm’s D+ Star Wars series have included plenty of familiar faces. The studio’s creative grand admiral, Dave Filoni, has utilized The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett and Ahsoka as vehicles to allow a dozen characters from a pair of animated series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels, to make the jump to live-action.
Appearances by Filoni faves such as Bo-Katan Kryze and Cad Bane, who played key roles in the animated series, have been largely well-received, though nothing pleases everyone, especially not the very divided Star Wars fandom. With plenty more projects to go before Filoni puts a bow on the Mandoverse, comes plenty of time to bring a few more animated favorites to life and an absolutely wild new rumor suggests that one of Star Wars: The Clone Wars deadliest bounty hunters will make his first live-action appearance in 2026.
According to Kristian Harloff, Kyuzo bounty hunter Embo will reportedly have a major role as one of the main villains in director Jon Favreau‘s The Mandalorian and Grogu.
Harloff’s report indicates that The Mandalorian and Grogu will feature Din Djarin and Grogu attempting to save Rotta the Hutt from Embo–voiced by Filoni–who has been hired to kidnap the offspring of Jabba. It was recently announced that Jeremy Allen White was set to portray Rotta (another Clone Wars character set to move into live-action) and there are some pretty wild theories and rumors out there about what’s become of the Hutt since last time he was seen.
Of course, should this rumor turn out to be true, it would certainly make for a fun adventure but with the Shadow Council also set to appear, there will be more to the plot of The Mandalorian and Grogu than a kidnapping.
The Mandalorian and Grogu will hit theaters on May 22, 2026.
After 3 seasons of the streaming series The Mandalorian, Din Djarin and Grogu are headed to the big screen. On January 9, 2024, the feature film The Mandalorian and Grogu was announced though no release date for the project was given.
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