A Critically Hated Star Wars Prequel Is Finally Getting A Follow-Up After 18 Years

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Despite being a critical and commercial failure when it came out in 2008, the movie Star Wars: The Clone Wars is getting a sequel. While the film itself wasn’t well-received – it’s the lowest-grossing and worst-rated Star Wars movie ever – it launched a highly popular Star Wars animated series. Interestingly, the original Clone Wars movie continues to have an impact on the Star Wars universe even now, after 18 years.

Upcoming Star Wars films and series generally steer clear of the time period covered in the prequel movies. Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord gets the closest, but it still takes place during the Empire’s rule. However, one new movie will revisit a significant element from The Clone Wars era, but set it at a later time.

The Clone Wars Movie Will Be Revisited In The Mandalorian & Grogu

The upcoming Star Wars film, featuring The Mandalorian and Grogu, will bring back Rotta the Hutt, a significant character from the animated movie The Clone Wars. Rotta, the son of Jabba the Hutt, first appeared in the 2008 film, which revolves around Anakin and Ahsoka’s mission to rescue him from Count Dooku, allowing Republic ships to pass through Hutt territory.

Rotta the Hutt, a significant character in the movie The Clone Wars, hasn’t been seen in any Star Wars content since, including all seven seasons of the animated series. Because many episodes of The Clone Wars told self-contained stories, and Rotta’s storyline was resolved in the film, the show never brought him back. His return in The Mandalorian and with Grogu will mark his first appearance in nearly two decades.

The initial trailer for The Mandalorian and Grogu introduced Rotta, a character voiced by Jeremy Allen White, who appears to have become a gladiator after his father died. Set a few years after Return of the Jedi, Rotta is around 30 years old. While his exact role in the movie isn’t known, he’s expected to have some interaction with Din Djarin.

Why Star Wars: The Clone Wars Was Critically Panned In 2008

Bringing back Rotta the Hutt in The Mandalorian and Grogu was unexpected, especially considering the negative reception to the 2008 Clone Wars movie. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes only gave it an 18% rating, and viewers weren’t much more impressed at 41%. Reviewer Ebaster pointed out that the film felt like an unnecessary attempt by George Lucas to make money, particularly after the success of Genndy Tartakovsky’s Clone Wars animated series.

The criticisms of The Clone Wars movie were largely justified. The animation felt unfinished, despite having a distinct style. Ahsoka initially came across as an irritating and forced character, seemingly designed to attract a younger audience. The story was weak and easily forgotten. The film’s only strengths were its exciting action sequences and the hope that the subsequent TV series would improve upon it.

The Clone Wars Show Was So Much Better Than The Movie

I have to admit, while the Clone Wars movie didn’t quite grab me, the series that came after was phenomenal. Even the first few seasons, though a little rough around the edges, were a huge step up. I think the story of the Clone Wars just really thrived as a serialized anthology – it allowed them to truly showcase the massive scale of the conflict, explore so many different perspectives, and really dive into all the fascinating corners of that galaxy.

The quality of The Clone Wars improved significantly over time. Starting with season 4, the animation became truly impressive, making both the action and conversations more enjoyable. The character of Ahsoka Tano also grew a lot, and she ultimately became a fan favorite in Star Wars, even though she initially came across as a somewhat irritating supporting character.

By the time season 7 of The Clone Wars was released, the show was already considered a prime example of great Star Wars storytelling. That final season successfully concluded the series, and The Clone Wars is now celebrated as a truly grand and expansive story of galactic rebellion, politics, action, and conflict. Everything – from the characters to the battles and the planets – showcases the very best of what Star Wars has to offer.

The Mandalorian Movie Feels Strangely Similar To The Clone Wars Film

Image via Disney+

Interestingly, the story of The Mandalorian and Grogu feels surprisingly similar to The Clone Wars. It’s not only the return of Rotta the Hutt after almost twenty years, but also the parallel timing. The Clone Wars expanded the Star Wars universe after the prequel films, and now The Mandalorian is doing the same after the sequel trilogy.

While the way The Mandalorian and Grogu were released is comparable to The Clone Wars, the stories themselves share a lot of common ground. The Clone Wars centers on Anakin Skywalker training Ahsoka Tano, and in turn, learning from her. The Mandalorian focuses on Din Djarin raising Grogu and growing as a person. Both shows are fundamentally about father figures and their adopted children experiencing adventures throughout the galaxy.

Both The Clone Wars movie and the first two seasons of The Mandalorian center around a protector trying to keep a baby safe – Anakin and Ahsoka with the baby in The Clone Wars, and Din Djarin with Grogu in The Mandalorian. It’s striking how similar their storylines are. Hopefully, The Mandalorian will be as popular, or even more so, than The Clone Wars was.

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2026-02-07 01:59