Brutus is a member of a race who actually has a long history in the Star Wars universe. Brutus belongs to the Shistavanen, a race of werewolf-like creatures that hail from the planet of Vanen Prime.

In the Legends continuity, one notable Shistavanen Jedi – Voolvif Monn – fought bravely at the Battle of Muunilinst as shown in Star Wars: Clone Wars. In the modern Star Wars canon ...