With the arrival of Jeremy Allen White as Rotta the Hutt in the Star Wars universe, the saga is preparing to put the Hutts back at the center of the galaxy. The Mandalorian & Grogu, scheduled for 2026, will tell the story of Jabba's unsung heir. But what do we know about him exactly?
Who is Rotta the Hutt?
Nicknamed “Stinky” by Ahsoka Tano in The Clone Wars, Rotta is the only son of the terrible Jabba the Hutt. Born into the powerful Desilijic clan, Rotta is, through his bloodline, the natural heir to his father's vast criminal empire, which extends far beyond the sands of Tatooine. The character made his first appearance in the animated film Star Wars: The Clone Wars in 2008, when he was still a baby. He was then kidnapped by Count Dooku and Ziro the Hutt, hoping to discredit the Republic and turn the Hutt clan over to the Separatists.
Anakin Skywalker and his young Padawan Ahsoka Tano then embarked on a rescue mission to the planet Teth to return Rotta safely to his father. This rescue, far from being anecdotal, played a key role in the temporary alliance between the Republic and Jabba, allowing Republic forces to use the Hutt-controlled hyperspace routes.
After The Clone Wars, Rotta disappeared from the radar, appearing only briefly in the animated series. Yet his mere existence is significant for the galaxy: he embodies the continuity of Hutt power, whose influence endures despite the death of Jabba, strangled by Leia Organa in Return of the Jedi. Jabba's death, however, left a void in Tatooine's criminal system. Several factions have attempted to seize power, but none have succeeded in recreating the aura of terror and respect that surrounded Jabba. As the rightful heir, Rotta could reunite the galactic underworld and put an end to isolated conflicts on Tatooine.
Jeremy Allen White reprises the role
The announcement that Jeremy Allen White of The Bear and Shameless has been cast as Rotta in The Mandalorian & Grogu took everyone by surprise. While White won't be physically in a Hutt costume, he will embody the character through motion capture and voice.
While the film's plot remains secret, several clues suggest Rotta's central role: with Jabba's disappearance and the fragility of power on Tatooine, Rotta could be the key to a new war of criminal succession. His natural legitimacy and legacy make him a coveted pawn, and a potential underworld godfather. Depending on how the character develops, he could become an unexpected ally of Din Djarin and Grogu, or on the contrary, a complex antagonist, torn between his criminal heritage and his own aspirations. Especially since, at sixty years old, the character is still very young. Jabba was around 600 years old when he died. Rotta therefore has plenty of time to mature, learn, and establish himself as a major figure in the new Star Wars pantheon.
A link with The Book of Boba Fett?
Apparently, The Mandalorian & Grogu shouldn't have close ties to the rest of the Star Wars productions, at least in theaters. Jon Favreau even assures that the project will be accessible to those who haven't watched the series on Disney+. Rotta's presence does suggest that some elements of The Book of Boba Fett will be exploited. After all, the series led by Temuera Morrison took the death of Jabba as its starting point. It was then a question for the bounty hunter and his sidekick Fennec Shand to establish their authority on Tatooine and fill the void left by the Hutt.
Jabba's family had already been invited since his cousins had joined the final confrontation before suffering a significant defeat against Boba Fett and Mando. As a reminder, The Mandalorian & Grogu must tell the commitment of the two characters to the rebels while vestiges of the Empire remain and the First Order is about to see the light of day. Will Mando and Baby Yoda be able to find the right arguments to convince Rotta to join their cause, as his father had done before? The answer will be in theaters in May 2026.
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