Last year, The Mandalorian introduced audiences to the Child, a 50 year old infant who is the same species as Jedi Master Yoda. Since Yoda's species has never been named, and the Child himself has yet to be named, fans began referring to him as "Baby Yoda." The show's creators have not embraced the nickname because it suggests that the Child is an infant Yoda, which they insist is not the case.
Regardless of what they say, one theory, posted by Reddit user PucaFilms, suggests that the Child is the same Yoda that fans know and love. According to the theory, The Mandalorian could end with Din Djarin and the Child going to the World Between Worlds, a realm that exists outside of time and space. From there, they would travel to the past, where Din Djarin could return the Child to his people, the Jedi.
After completing his mission, Din could become one of the first Mandalorians, or he could later establish peace between the Jedi and the Mandalorians. This would explain why the two were absent during the events of the most recent Star Wars trilogy.
There have been instances of time travel in Star Wars Legends, but the only instance in the official canon occurred in Star Wars Rebels Season 4, when Ezra Bridger enters the World Between Worlds. While there, he is able to pull Ahsoka Tano into the realm from a duel that he witnesses a few years prior. The two later return to their respective timelines, but the realm outside of time still exists, as does time travel. Since Ahsoka is set to appear in The Mandalorian Season 2, she could lead Din and the Child to the World Between Worlds.
Although the theory isn't impossible, it doesn't seem likely to become canon. The Mandalorian has thrived as a standalone show, staying loosely connected to the greater Star Wars universe. Having the Child turn out to be Yoda would tie it more directly to the films, potentially disrupting the show's independent storyline. While fans expect the overall plot to ramp up in subsequent seasons, the show is still fairly grounded compared to other parts of the universe. A time travel plot might just be too out there for The Mandalorian.
Furthermore, Din Djarin only learned about the existence of the Jedi at the end of Season 1. After hearing that the Mandalorians fought them in the past, he isn't excited at the possibility of handing the Child over to potential enemies. If he is going to travel back in time to give the child to the Jedi, he's going to need to go through something drastic to change his opinion about them first.
Moreover if the show does play out as this theory predicts, audiences would have to see Din Djarin and the Child go their separate ways. Yoda's species is very long-lived, with Yoda himself living to be 900 years old, so the Child will probably outlive Din Djarin. Nevertheless, fans aren't eager to see the clan of two split up any time soon.
Story aside, introducing time travel can be messy for any franchise. It opens up many possibilities, but if the rules are not firmly established and adhered to, it can also lead to plot holes, paradoxes and confusion. Even though the World Between Worlds is established in Rebels, The Mandalorian's audience may not be as familiar with the animated show and would have to be introduced to the concept.
Plus, the World Between Worlds hasn't made any other appearances, so not much is known about it. If Din Djarin and the Child manage to enter the realm, it may not work for them the same way it does for Ahsoka and Ezra. They only travel forward in time, whereas Din Djarin and the Child would be traveling backwards. This would create some paradoxes as Yoda would've existed at the same time as the Child at some point.
The theory is far from perfect, but it's such a strange plot twist that it'd be quite entertaining to see it play out. It would be interesting to see what Din would do in another era and how he might interact with past Mandalorians and Jedi. If the Child is Yoda, this would give fans some insight on a character that has intrigued audiences for decades. At the same time, it would only cover a relatively short period of time in Yoda's life, allowing large parts of the Jedi Master's past to remain a mystery.
Created by Jon Favreau, The Mandalorian stars Pedro Pascal, Gina Carano, Carl Weathers, Giancarlo Esposito, Taika Waititi and Emily Swallow. Season 1 is available now on Disney+, with Season 2 premiering Oct. 30.