After months of hushed whispers and secret activity, the highly anticipated Mandalorian and Grogu film has finally wrapped production. And while we’re still a year and a half away from its May 2026 release, a juicy casting tidbit has emerged from the shadows.
Get ready for a dose of “Shameless” in a galaxy far, far away. Emmy-winning actor Jeremy Allen White, known for his gritty portrayal of Lip Gallagher in the acclaimed Shameless series, is set to lend his voice to Rotta the Hutt. This mischievous Huttling, a key player in Dave Filoni’s 2008 The Clone Wars movie, is poised to make a splash in the live-action universe.
Why Allen White?
When you look at Jeremy Allen White, Rotta the Hut is probably far from your mind. The actor has legions of fans across the world thanks to his handsome looks and toned physique. He typically plays characters that fit this aesthetic and has even been linked to the role of James Bond. Allen White will hardly need to sip Martinis and know how to play roulette for his new Star Wars role, however, while voicing one of the franchises’s most notorious characters.
Allen White’s verbal flexibility will need to be on point for this role, which will demand unusual vocals, but the actor is more than capable of pulling it off. While known for his dramatic roles and charismatic on-screen presence, Allen White has also played a variety of roles that will prepare him for this unique challenge.
Rotta the Hutt, with his childish nature and sly wit, demands a voice actor capable of expressing multiple emotions from mischief to anger. Allen White’s experience with nuanced character work in Shameless where he played a complex and often troubled young man, has proved that he has the flexibility to make this role a success, although he has since said the role took its toll on him.
But how will fans take to his strange new performance?
The truth is we just don’t know how Allen White’s performance will fare among his fanbase. Some appear to believe the actor is capable of anything, others may feel somewhat strange about hearing their hero’s voice coming out of a grotesque little creature.
What we know about the new movie
After entertaining audiences on Disney+ for years, the adventures of the Mandalorian and Grogu are finally heading to the big screen. This highly anticipated film will mark the first Star Wars theatrical release since 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker, and fans are understandably excited.
Directed by Jon Favreau, the mastermind behind the series, the movie promises to deliver the same mix of action, humor, and heartwarming moments that have made the Mandalorian such a fan favorite. We can expect to see Pedro Pascal reprise his role as a bounty hunter, while Grogu, the adorable “Baby Yoda,” will take centerstage once again.
The plot details are still under wraps, but we do know that the film will take place in the New Republic era, following the events of the Disney+ series. This opens up lots of plot possibilities with both familiar faces and new characters.
That said, this new movie may not reach the heights of expectation that some Star Wars-related movies draw. With that in mind, which are the new releases that fans are talking about beyond 2026?
Possible future Star Wars movies
The future is exciting for Star Wars fans after the franchise released confirmation of a trilogy of releases, with the Mandalorian and Grogu being just the first. If that’s so, then what could the other two films hold in store?
Let’s take a look at what the following two years may have in store.
The 2026 film could delve deeper into the political and military struggles of the New Republic. This could involve exploring the rise of the First Order from within the Republic itself, perhaps through the eyes of a disillusioned senator or a rising military commander.
The 2026 movie could also focus on the challenges of rebuilding the Jedi Order. We could see Rey training a new generation of Jedi, facing internal conflicts within the Order, or confronting new threats that come from the Order’s resurgence.
Rumors for the 2027 film include the rise of the Sith, delving into their history and the events that led to their rise to power. This could involve ancient Sith artifacts, long-lost Sith texts, or even a journey to a previously unseen Sith world.
Another possibility is a look at the High Republic era. Set centuries before the Skywalker Saga, this period offers many storytelling possibilities. The film could focus on the Jedi Knights during their peak, exploring their adventures in the Outer Rim, their encounters with new threats, and the foundations of the Jedi Order.
These are just a few possibilities, and Lucasfilm probably has many more ideas in development. The future of Star Wars is full of potential, and this new trilogy could expand the saga in new and exciting ways.