Although newly-promoted Lucasfilm co-president Dave Filoni is more widely known for his behind-the-scenes efforts when bringing Star Wars to life, he has actually cast himself in a handful of key roles within the franchise. His most obvious character is The Mandalorian's New Republic pilot Trapper Wolf, as that's his only live-action persona to date. Until now.
More heavily associated with Star Wars' animated projects, Filoni has had several opportunities to step into the recording booth and record lines. His most prolific Star Wars character is Chopper in Rebels, although the incredibly processed audio makes it impossible to make out that it's Filoni at all. It is easy to tell that Chopper's digital outbursts were originally human dialogue, though.
Filoni's other animated Star Wars characters have either become very obscure over time or were simply background figures who were never meant to be remembered. However, the newest trailer for The Mandalorian and Grogu has just brought back the first Star Wars character Filoni ever voiced. But this time, he's making the jump to live-action.
Embo explained: Who is the bounty hunter played by Dave Filoni?
Embo is a member of the Kyuzo species from the planet Phatrong. He's a being of few words, and what he does say isn't in Galactic Basic — which is just English, for those who don't know. He sports a large, shield-like hat that he uses for both defensive and offensive purposes, a little like how Captain America uses his shield. Embo is a skilled bounty hunter, proficient in hand-to-hand combat and with various weapons. As with most bounty hunters, he isn't necessarily a hero or villain; he just goes where the money is. Whichever contract pays the most, that's where his loyalty rests.
Embo always had an awesome character design in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, but seeing him show up in a live-action setting in The Mandalorian and Grogu's latest trailer makes him look especially cool. Although rumored to be in the upcoming movie for a while now, it's a relief to know that the rumors were true and that the bounty hunter will return. That said, he's going to be siding with the villains in The Mandalorian and Grogu, and Embo isn't someone you want hunting you down.
Why Embo is being called a "Glup Shitto" and why that's a problem
Casual Star Wars fans may be a little confused by the fact that Embo is being referred to online as a Glup Shitto. It sounds like a parody of a Star Wars-esque name, and that's exactly what it is. The term originated a few years back when Filoni started to bring more obscure Star Wars characters for more high-profile projects. The point of the joke is that most people wouldn't recognize these returning figures, and tongue-in-cheek phrases like "Whoa, Glup Shitto's in this?!" were coined to lovingly poke fun at the diehard fans who have a vast knowledge of broader Star Wars lore.
Somewhat worryingly, Embo is absolutely a Glup Shitto. He was only ever in a handful of Clone Wars episodes after making his debut in 2010. His most recent apperance was in the same show, in March 2014. When The Mandalorian and Grogu is released in May 2026, it will have been 12 years since Embo has been relevant, and yet he's set to factor into the upcoming movie in a big way. As a Star Wars fan who loves deep-cut references like these, even if I barely remember them, I think bringing Embo back is awesome. That said, I still think it could be a misguided decision.
Although I'm sure The Mandalorian and Grogu will still make sense without an encyclopedic knowledge of Embo's life, casual moviegoers could easily be put off going to see the film in cinemas if they hear fans talking about the little-known bounty hunter as if he's a Star Wars legend who everyone should know. Considering The Mandalorian and Grogu is the franchise's first movie in seven years, it really needs to do well. It's already coming across as a little inaccessible for those who haven't seen The Mandalorian, so Embo's involvement makes the box office performance of Star Wars' long-awaited big-screen comeback even more uncertain.
The Mandalorian and Grogu arrives in cinemas on May 22, 2026.