Guillermo del Toro Earns Special Acknowledgement on The Mandalorian and Grogu — Here’s What It Means

So, after a surprisingly long pause for anything Star Wars in theaters (it's been since 2019, which is kind of wild to think about), Disney and Lucasfilm are about to haul us back into hyperspace at the end of May. The big return? The Mandalorian and Grogu, the first proper movie adventure for the helmeted bounty hunter and his ever-merchandisable sidekick—yes, that little green dude from every Baby Yoda meme you've ever seen.

What's actually going on in this movie?

Jon Favreau is back in the director's chair and writing this one, which makes sense: he pretty much built the 'MandoVerse' over on Disney+, so he's the guy who knows these characters inside and out. This film picks up where the Disney+ series left off—not so much a reboot as a next chapter. Din Djarin and Grogu are now on a fresh assignment for the ever-ragged New Republic. Their task: protect a member of the notorious Hutt clan, which is already a setup guaranteed to get sticky. Apparently, just about every shady character in the galaxy has a reason to want this Hutt dead.

Odd bit of trivia: this one's on the shorter end when it comes to Star Wars movies. So if you're prepping your bladder for a three-hour epic—relax. It's a quick ride, relatively speaking.

Star Wars getting weird (in a good way)

Here’s what's actually interesting—the film is set to explore some parts of the galaxy that movies haven't touched before. Plus, look out for some familiar names (and aliens): the Hutt clan is back on the big screen for the first time since 1999's Phantom Menace. It's almost hard to believe it's been that long since we got any real Hutt action in theaters.

Guillermo del Toro, Star Wars superfan? Who knew?

This is the part I wasn't expecting: Jon Favreau revealed in a group interview that Guillermo del Toro—the guy behind films like Pan’s Labyrinth and The Shape of Water—actually had a pretty hands-on role in shaping at least part of this movie. Not as director or writer, but as an off-the-books advisor and enthusiastic Star Wars nerd.

Favreau apparently spent 'a lot of time' with del Toro, showing him early cuts of the film and, this is great, literal 3D models of the Hutts just hanging out at his house. Del Toro, unsurprisingly, had opinions—turns out, he's been itching to tell a story about Jabba the Hutt's origin for a while now. He even pushed for a version of the Hutt clan that's a little less 'giant slug on a dais' and a little more, well, imposing. Specifically, the idea of a fitter, way more physically intimidating Hutt.

'Del Toro made suggestions about the Hutts and found a connection and personal interest in them, having wanted to tell a story about Jabba's origin'

And yes, that’s why Jeremy Allen White (of The Bear fame) is playing Rota the Hutt, a character that leans hard into del Toro’s wish list: less blobby, more powerlifter. That’s a first for this franchise, for what it’s worth.

Quick recap—here's what's new and notable:

• First Star Wars movie in theaters since 2019. (It's about time.)
• Written and directed by Jon Favreau, picking up after The Mandalorian series.
• Din Djarin and Grogu take on a protection gig for a Hutt, with the usual assortment of galactic weirdos coming after them.
• The Hutts—seriously, it’s been 25 years since they got a decent movie moment—are finally back in play.
• Guillermo del Toro didn’t direct or write, but his behind-the-scenes brainstorming (especially about the Hutts) made a real impact, including the casting and look of Jeremy Allen White’s Rota the Hutt.

So, if you needed a reason to care about another Star Wars flick, this one’s got a fresh angle, a bit of oddball Hollywood crossover, and probably the only chance you’ll get this year to see a Hutt hitting the gym, so to speak. More on this as we get closer to release—stay tuned.