Based on a recent behind-the-scenes photo from the filming of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
Although The Rise of Skywalker movie did not explain either of these points, its novelization stated that Grogu’s blood to create Snoke and better clones for Palpatine. This is ed by Dr. Pershing wearing a Kaminoan symbol in The Mandalorian season 1 and by Din Djarin and his friends discovering a lab where Grogu’s blood had been injected into host bodies in The Mandalorian season 2.
The recent Mandalorian set photo revealed that this theory for Snoke’s creation may be true. The photo (via Star Wars: The Last Jedi. These highly skilled warriors served as Snoke’s bodyguards. Their presence in The Mandalorian reinforces Grogu’s connection to Snoke and suggests that season 3 may address the rise of the First Order.
If the Elite Praetorian Guard already exists in The Mandalorian season 3, they may be acting under Palpatine’s orders and trying to ensure the creation of Snoke. Due to this, they would be very interested in Grogu. The Empire’s main problem in engineering clones and Strand-Casts for Palpatine was the bodies’ ability to endure his connection to the Force. However, Grogu naturally has a high midi-chlorian count, so his blood could be used to make stronger bodies. Although the Imperial Remnant seemed to have failed at this during The Mandalorian season 2, their new supply of blood after Grogu’s capture could lead to their successful creation of a powerful, Force-sensitive Strand-Cast: Snoke.
In addition, the Elite Praetorian Guard’s presence hints that The Mandalorian season 3 may connect the future of Mandalore to the First Order. Given Din’s need to atone for taking off his helmet and his accidental claim to lead the planet, Din has multiple reasons to return to Mandalore. However, if Din will face the Elite Praetorian Guard during The Mandalorian season 3, it is possible that the root of the First Order may be on Mandalore. There, they could run more experiments with Grogu’s blood, ultimately discovering a way to engineer a Strand-Cast that could withstand a strong connection to the Force. If Din arrives though, he could slow down their progress. While the photo of the Elite Praetorian Guard’s helmets does not prove that there is a connection, it suggests that The Mandalorian season 3 will confirm the fan theory that Grogu’s blood was used to create Snoke.
