Star Wars Fans Freak Out Over First Glimpse of Rare Creature in New ‘Mandalorian & Grogu’ Footage
New footage from the upcoming Star Wars movie, The Mandalorian & Grogu, has given fans their first glimpse of a rare Star Wars creature that hasn’t been seen since The Clone Wars.
The film, set to hit theaters on May 22, continues the story of Din Djarin, also known as the Mandalorian, and his companion Grogu, the same species as Yoda. Pedro Pascal returns in the lead role, while newcomers Sigourney Weaver and Jeremy Allen White join the cast as Ward, a New Republic leader, and Rotta the Hutt, Jabba’s son, respectively.
The short clip in the trailer shows an Anooba, a creature first introduced in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Some fans have speculated that this might be Marrok, the Anooba companion of bounty hunter Embo, who appeared in the 2008 episode “Bounty.” However, Marrok was previously confirmed dead during the Battle of Jakku, making it more likely that this is a new character of the same species.
Anoobas are known for their distinct appearance, including chin tusks, although Marrok was unique in lacking them.
New teaser for ‘THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU’
— Cosmic Marvel (@cosmic_marvel) March 23, 2026
In theaters on May 22. pic.twitter.com/yQ1LovWQEe
Dave Filoni, co-writer of the new film and the original creator of Marrok, designed this species for the series. Filoni also voices Embo in the movie, suggesting that the presence of an Anooba in the footage is a nod to longtime fans of the franchise. While it is possible the filmmakers could bring Marrok back, they might also choose to ignore the creature’s fate as revealed in Chuck Wendig’s novel, Aftermath: Empire’s End, since Star Wars films often reinterpret events from books or other non-screen material.
The Mandalorian & Grogu is shaping up to be an exciting continuation of the story, bringing familiar characters back while introducing new faces and creatures to the galaxy. Fans are especially eager to see how the rare Anooba fits into the story.
The return of an Anooba is a smart move that honors long-time Star Wars fans while keeping the universe fresh for newcomers. It’s always fun to see creatures from the animated series make it to live-action, and this teaser only adds to the anticipation. What do you think about the new creature in the footage? Share your thoughts in the comments.