Boba Fett has been one of the most popular characters in the Star Wars universe, almost entirely off the back of his excellent design. The prequels depicted the character as a young man, putting his father, Jango, in the spotlight and a very similar suit of armor. Recent entries in the franchise have explored his later life, but how did that sad kid develop into the bounty hunter of legend?
Though the extended universe novels and comics depictedBoba Fett escaping his tragic fateat the hands of the sarlacc pit, many fans thought him dead after his appearance inReturn of the Jedi.The MandalorianandThe Book of Boba Fettgave him a new path forward, adding much to his character.
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How did Jango Fett die?
Fans will recall Jango’s death inAttack of the Clones. Jango Fett’s involvement in the Clone Wars was unusual. Count Dooku hired him to eliminate Padmé Amidala, but Fett subcontracted the gig to a killer named Zam Wesell. When Wesell was captured, Fett shot her in the neck with a poison dart. Fett didn’t technically fight in the Clone Wars. Instead, he provided the template for the millions of clones that fought and died for the Republic. He got into a scuffle with Obi-Wan Kenobi on Kamino. He worked with the CIS on Geonosis, capturing Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala. Fett fought as an elite henchman on Geonosis, offering his services in an all-out fight that broke out in the planet’s local gladiatorial arena. Fett’s first opponent was a large animal, which repeatedly knocked him down before he could execute the beast. Fett then squared up against Jedi Master Mace Windu. Fett’s fight against the beast damaged his jetpack, leaving him unable to escape Windu. Mace Windu beheaded Jango Fett, leaving his ten-year-old son an orphan.
What did Boba Fett do after Jango died?
Boba Fett wasn’t technically born. He was an unaltered clonecreated by the Kaminoansas payment for his DNA. Boba escaped Geonosis in Jango’s ship, Slave I. He swiftly met with a team of bounty hunters who would aid him in his quest to kill Mace Windu in revenge. Jango trained Boba in combat before he died, but Boba Fett’s revenge tactics were somewhat messy. He infiltrated a Republic vessel in the guise of a clone and planted bombs to kill Windu. His first attempt killed a fellow clone. His second left Winduand Anakin Skywalker strandedon a remote planet. He set off an explosive that trapped Windu and Skywalker under rubble. R2-D2 saved both Jedi, rendering Boba’s efforts pointless. Future failed attempts on the Jedi Master’s life would land Boba in prison.
Fett became a bounty hunter after his release from prison. He formed a syndicate called Krayt’s Claw with a crew of other hired warriors. His early career was dotted with failures.Asajj Ventress undermined theClaw in a job on Quarzite, deceiving their employer and kidnapping Boba along the way. Despite Ventress handily dismantling the organization, they later accepted her cash to save a Jedi. They failed to rescue the Jedi, who turned to the dark side and became Count Dooku’s apprentice. Boba Fett was a teenager during his early career. As he became an adult, he became known as one of the deadliest bounty hunters in the galaxy. He repaired his father’s armor and assumed his mantle. He would take few jobs but devote himself to each task with unshakable devotion.
How did Boba Fett start working for Darth Vader?
Fett had several casualrun-ins with Darth Vader. Though he is seen being hired by the Dark Lord inThe Empire Strikes Back, he wasn’t a favorite employee of the Sith. Boba Fett established himself in a series of corporate conflicts called the Trade Wars. Fett became one of Jabba the Hut’s go-to mercenaries. Boba’s first encounter with Darth Vader came when he encountered three rebel spies on Tatooine. Fett disintegrated the rebels after a brief firefight. Vader refused to pay their bounties because Fett left no bodies to identify. Vader later hired Fett from Jabba to hunt down an X-Wing pilot hiding out on the desert planet. Boba found young Luke Skywalker and engaged him in combat, butLuke’s knowledge of the Forceallowed him to escape. Boba Fett was the first man to inform Darth Vader of his son. Vader continued to hire him for the following few years.
Boba Fett was introduced to the franchise as the mightiest bounty hunter in the galaxy. Hisappearance in the prequelsdepicted him as a sad, angry child. The material in between captures the long, difficult journey that Fett had to undertake to get to his adult life. He struggled and often failed, forced to grow on his own after the death of his father. Know that the man who appears inThe Book of Boba Fett, is the same boy who held his father’s head inAttack of the Clones. It just took a long time to get there.
