Disney+ launched in 2019 with The Mandalorian, the first ever Star Wars TV show. Fans were instantly transfixed by the adventures of the title bounty hunter, though it was the jaw-dropping cliffhanger ending that generated the most discussion.
The target Din Djarin had been set to track down turned out to be a creature fans instantly dubbed "Baby Yoda." We'd later learn that The Child's name was Grogu, though that original moniker has stuck. While Grogu isn't a young Yoda clone (as many fans first theorised), he is ridiculously cute. However, Gremlins director Joe Dante isn't a fan.
During a recent interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, he shared his take on the similarities between Grogu and the Mogwai Gizmo, making it clear he believes the team working on The Mandalorian ripped off the design seen in the 1984 classic.
"I think the longevity of [the Gremlins films] is really key to this one character [Gizmo], who is essentially like a baby," Dante said. "Which brings me, of course, to the subject of Baby Yoda, who is completely stolen and is just out-and-out copied. Shamelessly, I would think."
It's worth noting that Yoda first appeared in 1980's The Empire Strikes Back, and Grogu is essentially just a shrunken-down version. There are some similarities to Gizmo, and it's certainly possible that crossed the minds of those who designed the character, but to say The Child is a blatant rip-off...we're not sure about that.
Like the Star Wars franchise, Gremlins is heading to the small screen with the upcoming animated series, Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai, on HBO Max.
As for The Mandalorian, that's set to return to HBO Max sometime in February 2023.