Gremlins director claims Baby Yoda was 'stolen' from his film

The director of Gremlins has a bone to pick with Baby Yoda.
In an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, director Joe Dante claimed the beloved Star Wars character is a rip-off of Gizmo, the central creature from his film Gremlins.
Speaking about the legacy of the 1984 movie, Dante reflected that its longevity is "really key to this one character," Gizmo, "who is essentially like a baby," at which point he suggested this was the inspiration for Grogu, a.ka. Baby Yoda, on the Star Wars show The Mandalorian.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"Which brings me, of course, to the subject of Baby Yoda, who is completely stolen and is just out-and-out copied," Dante said. "Shamelessly, I would think."
It wasn't clear whether Dante was joking, as the San Francisco Chronicle wrote that he made the remark with a "wry smile." But many were quick to point out that Grogu is meant to be a childlike version of Yoda, a character introduced in 1980's The Empire Strikes Back before Gremlins.
But Dante wasn't the first to compare the two creatures. Gremlins star Zach Galligan noted in a 2021 interview with Entertainment Weekly he had been bombarded on social media with memes about the similarity — and debating which one is the cuter little guy.
"Well, I'm going to say my buddy is cuter," Galligan said. "He's fuzzier and, to me, fuzzy is cuter."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Why some people remember dreams and others don't
Under The Radar Age, attitude and weather all play a part in dream recall
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The Week contest: Hotel seal
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
New FBI Director Kash Patel could profit heavily from foreign interests
The Explainer Patel holds more than $1 million in Chinese fashion company Shein
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster show
Speed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar take top Grammys
Speed Read Beyoncé took home album of the year for 'Cowboy Carter' and Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us' won five awards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Louvre is giving 'Mona Lisa' her own room
Speed Read The world's most-visited art museum is getting a major renovation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Video games to play this winter, including 'Marvel Rivals' and 'Alien: Rogue Incursion'
The Week Recommends A Star Wars classic gets remastered, and 'Marvel Rivals' pits players against superhero faves
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published