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Something about me? I have been a nerdy cinephile for as long as I can remember. Putting the two together is living my best life. That notwithstanding, I was born to express, not to impress, so I blog because I don't have friends. In other news, I like hashtags because they look like waffles, prefer my puns intended, and I always give 100% unless I'm donating blood. Thanks for reading.
Source: Warner Bros./Amblin Entertainment
In the “What in the world took you so long” department, the director of the ’80s classic Gremlins has a few nasty things to say about Grogu, the baby Yoda.
Joe Dante, who hasn’t seen much action in filmmaking since the George H.W. Bush Administration, recently lifted his head from slumber from directing CBS’ Hawaii Five-O.
He decided that the Disney+ smash series, The Mandalorian, and its star character had blatantly stolen the design and aesthetic of his darling, Gizmo from Gremlins.
In a story from the San Francisco Chronicle, Dante said that “Baby Yoda was completely stolen” from his 1984 movie.
The resemblance between the water-intolerant Mogwai and Grogu is apparent, but the loaded allegation could be an attempt at relevance in the public eye. That notwithstanding, Dante, 75, used some strategic vitriol to fuel the complaint. And now, his thinking and spurious claims have made national news.
At Least, They Could Credit Gremlins as an Inspiration
Lately, Joe Dante yells at open phone lines, podcasts, or blogs. He is irate! His allegations state that he was wronged by Lucasfilm and The Walt Disney Co. Here’s how the interview began with the San Francisco Chronicle.
“I think the longevity of [the film] is really key to this one character (Gizmo), who is essentially like a baby. 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.”
San Francisco Chronicle, July 14
Lucasfilm does not have any problems creating other-galaxy dwellers. Yet, Dante is all in on the idea of a stolen Gremlins furry in Disneyworld. Never mind that The Mandalorian featured Baby Yoda since its first season, Day One, which was in 2019. And forget the idea that Grogu’s and Gizmo’s same ears could both pick up satellite TV. This allegation is picking up steam.
It’s not that Gremlins isn’t getting action lately. Dante spends his free time with HBO Max. He is advising an animated series slated this fall, Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai. In the middle of directing “meh” TV shows, he binges on cheeky ’80s movies. You know the ones? They’re about pocket-sized monsters and their attack on the world.
“Whenever I host a screening of either of these pictures, I always ask when I introduce it, ‘Raise your hand — how many people haven’t seen these movies?’ There’s always about a third of the audience, usually young, who haven’t seen the movies. They’re somewhat different than the run-of-the-mill movie. They’re offbeat in a way that I think is one of the reasons that they’re still popular.”
San Francisco Chronicle, July 14
In Joe Dante’s world, Gremlins is still a raging success. Sure, the original dominated the box office back in 1984, but there was this awful sequel. Since then, Mogwai Mania hasn’t been raging during water cooler talk. Yet, there is Dante–clamoring about similarities three years too late.
Din Djarin Isn’t Alone
Evidently, this isn’t the first time someone has mentioned the visual likeness. Even the great Mando himself, Pedro Pascal, got those same feels when looking at the cuddly baby Yoda.
Even Grogu’s adopted dad Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) got strong Gizmo vibes off the lil’ guy when he first saw photos of Grogu on set. “I saw Baby Yoda in those pictures and I remember thinking, ‘Okay, bye, Gizmo.’ [I thought,] ‘People are going to lose their minds over that,'” admitted the actor.
SYFY, July 14, 2022
It is clear these two look like they could have starred in Gremlins or The Mandalorian. However, it is next to impossible to accuse anyone of pilfering, borrowing, or flat-out stealing. It didn’t stop Joe Dante because he believes there are some coattails he can ride…many audiences think, “what’s right is right!”
Dante wants the Gen-X corner to shout at anyone that Gizmo is Grogu. Meanwhile, he will keep “advising,” and Disney+ will keep on using Mando and his pudgy-cheeked foster furry as they avoid a lawsuit like a spreading STD in a professional athletics locker room.
It’s possible Jon Favreau “borrowed” the look of Baby Yoda from Gremlins. However, it does seem that Dante is borrowing the brightness from The Mandalorian to shine a light on his animated project.
Good luck with that, and may the Force be with you, Joey.
Something about me? I have been a nerdy cinephile for as long as I can remember. Putting the two together is living my best life. That notwithstanding, I was born to express, not to impress, so I blog because I don't have friends. In other news, I like hashtags because they look like waffles, prefer my puns intended, and I always give 100% unless I'm donating blood. Thanks for reading.
This article was edited by John Tangalin.