Gremlins Creator Calls Baby Yoda A 'Rip-Off' As Memers Rush To Defend Him

Accusations of plagiarism were flung yesterday following an IndieWire interview with Gremlins director Joe Dante in which he claimed the largely beloved Baby Yoda character from The Mandalorian was “completely copied” from Gizmo in Gremlins.

‘Gremlins’ director Joe Dante says Grogu is a shameless copy of Gizmo.

“Baby Yoda, who is completely stolen and is just out-and-out copied. Shamelessly, I would think.”

(via: https://t.co/rLpvyeYNns) pic.twitter.com/cz4lpzq4sx

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) July 15, 2022

The Mandalorian first came out in 2019 and immediately the character known as “The Child” became an audience favorite and a critical success. Later named "Grogu," Baby Yoda's wide, pointy ears and innocent child-like face have endeared it to fans and non-fans alike, leading its likeness to appear everywhere from children's lunchboxes to adults' tattoos. "Baby Yoda," as he was frequently called, became nothing less than an icon.

Werner Herzog talks about directing Baby Yoda in ‘THE MANDALORIAN’:

“I tried to tell the humans who couldn’t see exactly what I saw. And I said, ‘here’s the light. Our torch light is going right in its eyes. It should close its eyes.’”

(Source: https://t.co/gBewPsirXo) pic.twitter.com/St0dbkdeeV

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) September 13, 2020

Gremlins, released in 1984, is a cult-classic film fondly remembered by many members of Generation X and Millennials. Central to Gremlins is one particular gremlin, an adorable creature named Gizmo with brown-and-white fur, large pointy ears and an adorable kitten-like face and vibe — that is … until he gets wet or is allowed to stay up after midnight.

Only called Grogu a rip-off to get Gizmo trending Joe Dante did. An asshole the Gremlins creator is. pic.twitter.com/euasHh7nZ8

— Stoner Yoda 🪴 (@YodaTheSavage) July 15, 2022

A number of posters leaped immediately to Baby Yoda’s defense, arguing that OG Yoda preceded Gremlins by four years, and therefore Baby Yoda could not be a copy of Gizmo.

Did this man forget yoda is older than the gremlins? https://t.co/h1R7w4O1eM

— CEO of Jiu Jitsu (@caseharts) July 15, 2022

Unless there is some other, even older puppet character who could be shown to be a more direct inspiration for the Baby Yoda design… a sort of "Old Yoda", if you will… then I think he has a good point. https://t.co/yrIg1QA67t

— Alexandra Erin (She/Her) (@AlexandraErin) July 15, 2022

A few others expressed their preference for Gizmo to Baby Yoda, claiming Grogu was just a “reskin."

The director of Gremlins stole the "Baby Yoda is a copy of Gizmo" from me 👀😛😘 pic.twitter.com/W7oRzInzEf

— Kris With a K (@Chainsaw_Master) July 15, 2022

Ppl saying Baby Yoda is better and Gizmo is ugly….how does it feel to have no taste https://t.co/CbHZmV0IJS

— Sarah 🏴🖤❤ (@ScaredBisexual) July 14, 2022

Some defenders of Baby Yoda, however, conceded that there was a resemblance between the two pop culture icons.

Okay, I can see Baby Yoda as Gizmo’s distant distant distant long lost cousin on his momma’s side if you squint. pic.twitter.com/lg5yOXyu39

— 🕊️💞Dannie D💞🕊️ (@DannieD01) July 15, 2022

The debate showed signs of expanding to include their snuggly creatures from the fictional universe.

Return of the Jedi released 1983.
Gremlins released 1984.

Do you really wanna play this game, Joe?
Cause an entire forest moon of snuggly bear-things would like a word with you… pic.twitter.com/6IV6HWSsVd

— Andrew Krop (@akrop999) July 14, 2022

Both Grogu and Gizmo share the features of a human infant, but with exaggerated cat-like ears. They have large eyes, compact faces and make cooing noises. Additionally, both characters are morally complicated, with Gizmo transforming into a monster under certain conditions and Baby Yoda controversially disrupting a nest in his show.