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Who is Anooba? New ‘Mandalorian & Grogu’ movie drops best look at rare ‘Star Wars’ creature

The upcoming film will see its leading characters face off against Embo and his anooba from the 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars' animated series

'The Mandalorian and Grogu,' one of the most highly anticipated films of this year, gave fans their first look at a former 'Star Wars' character in its newly released clip. The latest offering from the 'Star Wars' franchise is directed by Jon Favreau, who co-wrote the script with Dave Filoni and Noah Kloor. It focuses on the next chapter of Din Djarin and Grogu’s journey following the events of the Disney+ series 'The Mandalorian.' Pedro Pascal reprises his role as Din Djarin, aka the Mandalorian, alongside his ward Grogu. The latest clip, released on March 22, features the rare Star Wars creature, anooba, which was last seen in the animated series, 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars.' 

A male anooba named Marrok was the loyal pet and hunting partner of the bounty hunter Embo in the popular television series. He was introduced in the show's 2012 episode 'Bounty' and was seen accompanying Embo to the planets Tatooine, Nal Hutta, Scipio, and Serenno, and fighting several battles alongside his master. But unlike other anoobas, Marrok didn't have a large chin tusk protruding from his lower jaw; instead, he was distinguished by his grey fur, yellow eyes, and sharp teeth.

However, the character died around the Battle of Jakku in 5 ABY, so the one seen in 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' could be a new character from the same race. Anoobas have been used as domesticated pets, and the one seen by Embo's side in the footage can be Marrok's replacement after his death. But, longtime fans know that his death was not shown in the series, and was only covered in Chuck Wendig’s 2017 novel, 'Aftermath: Empire’s End' from the 'Star Wars: The Aftermath' trilogy. Since the 'Star Wars' properties have a history of altering events that take place outside the movies and TV shows, it could very well ignore Marrok's fate from the books and keep him alive in the upcoming movie.

The film's co-writer, Filoni, who also executive-produced 'The Clone Wars,' came up with the design for Marrok, so the character's reappearance in the film shouldn't come as a complete surprise. Filoni will lend his voice to Embo, who is poised to play the antagonist in 'The Mandalorian and Grogu.' Embo worked as a bodyguard for the Hutts in the series and will have a direct conflict with Pascal's Mandalorian in the upcoming movie. One thing's for sure, his trusted wolf-like companion, Marrok, or not, will be by his side. Pascal will star alongside Sigourney Weaver as Ward, a leader of the New Republic’s Adelphi Rangers, and Jeremy Allen White as Rotta the Hutt (Jabba the Hutt’s son). 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' will hit theaters on May 22.