Summary

• Mouse droids have been a long-standing mystery in the
  Star Wars
  universe, serving various roles throughout the galaxy.
• The official
  Star Wars Encyclopedia
  reveals mouse droids are used mainly for spying and infiltrating secure areas and data networks.
• The upcoming
  Star Wars
  movie,
  The Mandalorian & Grogu
  , will give mouse droids a significant role, showcasing their true purpose.

After first debuting in the original Star Wars in 1977, mouse droids have become a fan-favorite, much like gonk droids – but their purpose has long since been unknown. Star Wars (later retitled to A New Hope) introduced many new creatures, droids, and more to the galaxy as the franchise’s very first film, many of which have either been seen or fully fleshed out in other Star Wars movies and TV shows. One such element is the mouse droid, the adorable yet pesky little droids who wheel around Imperial bases on their four wheels.

Mouse droids have since appeared all over Star Wars, in just about every medium. Despite these prolific appearances, the purpose behind mouse droids, particularly in Imperial settings, has never been explicitly explained. The Mandalorian season 3 provided a basis of understanding, but now, Star Wars has officially revealed what exactly it is that mouse droids do.

Mouse Droids Serve A Wide Range Of Roles In Star Wars

But They’re Mainly Used for Spying & Infiltrating

According to the upcoming official Star Wars Encyclopedia, “Mouse droids are simple, versatile, and work quietly,” and thus they are used “for spying and infiltrating secure areas or data networks that would otherwise be inaccessible.” This makes sense based on what audiences have seen mouse droids doing ever since A New Hope. Their smaller size makes it easy for them to sneak around undetected, and they can blend in well with their surroundings. This could be why mouse droids have tried to sneak onto turbolifts with Star Wars heroes before.

Pre-order the Star Wars Encyclopedia on Amazon here

A Mouse Droid’s Specialty for Spying Could Be Used Against Itself

New footage from The Mandalorian & Grogu movie shown exclusively at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event seems to use the purpose of mouse droids against themselves. Din Djarin and Grogu are on a mission inside an Imperial base, and in the midst of one of Din’s fights against snow troopers, a mouse droid can be seen scurrying towards the Mandalorian. The camera even shows this from the mouse droid’s perspective, which – after seeing a clip of Grogu wedged in a small space with Nevarro’s Anzellans – seems to suggest the mouse droid is operating on Din’s behalf.

This would be giving mouse droids their biggest role in Star Wars to date, if only for a single mission. Mouse droids were previously seen in The Mandalorian season 3 as security droids, with a group of them teaming up against R5-D4 while he assisted Din with disabling ray shields. Now, it looks as if Star Wars will gear them up for an even bigger role in The Mandalorian & Grogu, showcasing their true purpose as revealed by the upcoming Star Wars Encyclopedia.