Jon Favreau Reveals He Called J.J. Abrams About Using the Anzellans Again in THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU

Jon Favreau has shared a cool little behind-the-scenes story about bringing the Anzellans back into the Star Wars universe, and it also seems to answer why J.J. Abrams received a thank you in the credits for The Mandalorian and Grogu.

Fans were first introduced to the tiny mechanics through Babu Frik in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, which Abrams directed. The character instantly became one of the movie’s fan favorites, and now the species is playing a much bigger role in the upcoming Star Wars movie from Favreau.

While speaking with SFX magazine about adapting Dave Filoni’s animated bounty hunter Embo into live-action for The Mandalorian and Grogu, Favreau explained how important it is to involve the original creators when revisiting characters and concepts.

He said: "We were developing the live-action version of him and showing Dave versions – we've got to show Dave. Because there's a special thing, when you use a [character] – even though it belongs to Star Wars, if somebody came up with the character, you go [to them].

"Like when I was working with the Anzellans, I called up JJ. And JJ came to the set. Because you want him to know that, you know, 'I appreciate what you did. Can we – do you mind? Are we handling this well? Are you happy?' And with Embo, same thing with Dave."

It’s a pretty great insight into how collaborative Star Wars still is, especially when creators are revisiting characters introduced by someone else. Favreau clearly wants the people who helped shape these corners of the galaxy to feel included when those ideas evolve.

The interesting part is that the Anzellans already appeared in The Mandalorian Season 3, so it’s unclear whether Favreau originally contacted Abrams for the Disney+ series or specifically for The Mandalorian and Grogu. Either way, Abrams being thanked in the film’s credits suddenly makes a lot more sense now.

The Anzellans have a pretty important role in the movie itself. After starting out as comic relief with Babu Frik, those tiny mechanics are becoming a much bigger piece of the modern Star Wars universe, and they are very entertaining.

As for what’s next, fans are still waiting for Ahsoka Season 2, which currently has an early 2027 release window.

Source: SFX Magazine