In the upcoming film The Mandalorian and Grogu, actor Jeremy Allen White takes on the role of Rotta, the son of Jabba the Hutt, now depicted as a muscular gladiator. Director Jon Favreau compares the character to Adonis Creed from the Rocky series. The movie continues Disney's expansion of the Star Wars universe with live-action adaptations of animated characters.
The Mandalorian and Grogu marks a theatrical extension of the popular Disney+ series, featuring Rotta in a prominent role. Originally introduced as a baby Hutt in the animated Clone Wars series on Cartoon Network, Rotta was kidnapped by an uncle in a power play and rescued by Jedi, including Ahsoka Tano. This appearance, set for release in May, shows Rotta as an adult warrior, far from the typical sedentary Hutt criminal archetype.
Favreau described Rotta as "in top form, fighting in the pits, a gladiator of sorts." The character wields two battle axes, reflecting a disciplined physique honed through years of training. White, known for his role in The Bear, prepared by studying Huttese, the Hutt language, and suggested Rotta possesses a broader vocabulary than most Hutts.
Favreau drew parallels to Adonis 'Donnie' Creed, the son of Apollo Creed from the Rocky reboot trilogy starting in 2015, noting the challenges of establishing oneself under a famous parent's shadow. "When you’re trying to establish yourself and your name is famous, when you’re Jabba The Hutt’s kid, what does that do?" Favreau said. "How has that affected his trajectory? I get a kick out of that."
This casting aligns with Disney's trend of bringing extended universe elements to live action. Characters like Cad Bane from the Boba Fett miniseries and Grand Admiral Thrawn, from 1990s novels, have appeared, alongside Ahsoka Tano, played by Rosario Dawson in multiple spin-offs, including her own series. White hinted that Rotta's role may extend beyond this film, potentially leading to a reunion with his animated rescuer, Ahsoka.
The Mandalorian series has been a standout in Disney's Star Wars offerings, surpassing recent films in popularity.
