In spite of having less than seven minutes of screen time and only four lines of dialogue in the originalStar Warstrilogy, Boba Fett cemented his status as a fan favorite the moment he appeared inThe Empire Strikes Back. Darth Vader’s warning to Boba against disintegrations while he pursued the crew of theMillenium Falconproduced a great deal of curiosity about the bounty hunter. Although Boba Fett died an underwhelming death at the beginning ofReturn of the Jedi, his popularity resulted in a multitude of appearances in books, comics, and video games.
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Much of that material was removed from the canon and relegated toStar Wars Legends. The enduring popularity of the character led to his inclusion in the newStar Warscanon, where his backstory was developedfurther and his death was retconned to open the door to new adventures. Boba still hasn’t enjoyed as much attention as characters of comparable popularity, but he does make some on-screen appearances that set the stage for the aspiring daimyo inThe Book of Boba Fett.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars- “Death Trap” (Season 2, Episode 20)
The groundbreaking animated series,Star Wars: The Clone Wars, explored every facet of the galaxy during the Clone Wars period, including Boba Fett’s journey from a grieving child to a feared bounty hunter. In “Death Trap”, Boba blends in with a young batch of clone troopers to infiltrate a ship called theEndurance. He attempts to assassinate Mace Windu for killing his father. Although his attack is unsuccessful, it results in other deaths as well as the destruction of theEndurance.
A big part ofBoba Fett’s appeal is his antihero status,and he very much leans into it here. Over the course of the episode, you find that Boba has allied himself with a crew of bounty hunters, including Bossk, Castas, and Aurra Sing, in order to attain his vengeance. However, the bounty hunters are taking advantage of the boy’s anger to achieve their own agenda. Throughout the episode, Boba hesitates to harm anyone other than his target. But in the end, he allows his hunger for revenge to overcome his kindness when he betrays new friends in order to keep his place among the bounty hunters.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars- “R2 Come Home” (Season 2, Episode 21)
This second part of a three-episode arc about Boba Fett’s initiation into the world of bounty hunting picks up where the previous episode left off. Mace Windu and Anakin Skywalker investigate the wreckage of theEnduranceand find many clone troopers who have been executed by the hunters. A Mandalorian helmet beside one unfortunate soldier catches their attention. Mace realizes that this entire ordeal has been Boba Fett seeking revenge for his father, but he connects the dots too late to avoid an explosion that incapacitates the two Jedi.
This episode focuses on R2-D2 as he protects his injured master from Boba Fett and Aurra Sing, but it does highlight Boba’s growing comfort with violence. He may not have participated in the executions, but he was present for them. You observe how his rage drives him to do all he can to ensure Mace’s death when he could walk away with a bounty for hostages his crew has taken. This is also the first time you see Boba pilot his infamous ship in combat.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars- “Lethal Trackdown” (Season 2, Episode 22)
The conclusion to the Boba Fett arc has a violent beginning when Aurra Sing executes one of the hostages and taunts the Jedi. Meanwhile, Boba Fett continues to grapple with guilt about how his quest to kill Mace Windu has impacted bystanders. He refuses to execute the hostage himself and this crew of bounty hunters begins to fragment. When Castas attempts a betrayal and Aurra Sing kills him without hesitation, Boba sees firsthand how brutal this life can be.
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When Ahsoka Tano and Plo Koon find the crew, Aurra abandons Boba to save herself. As Boba burns with hatred for the Jedi, they try to get him to tell them where the remaining hostages are being held. Boba’s tragic circumstance is highlighted when yells, “Why should I help anybody? I’ve got no one!” But an old friend of his father’s convinces him to do the right thing by appealing to Jango Fett’s honor. This episode finishes setting the stage for the tension between Boba’s great capacity for violence and his code of honor.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars- “Bounty” (Season 4, Episode 20)
Boba Fett appears in aClone Warsarc focused on Asajj Ventress. While on the run from Count Dooku, Ventress kills a bounty hunter and his crew compels her to take his place in a job. When she links up with the whole crew, it is revealed that their leader is Boba Fett. They pull a train job which goes sideways when Ventress discovers that they are delivering a girl into a forced marriage. When Boba still wants to complete the job, Ventress defeats him and frees the girl.
This episode shows that after his time in prison, Boba Fett’s transformation into a coldhearted criminal is complete. His reluctance to harm innocents has been replaced by an unwillingness to jeopardize his payday. “Bounty” also shows Boba taking steps toward his familiar look. He is armored (although not yet in Mandalorian armor) with a bit of cowboy flair and he dual wields blasters. Although Ventress defeats him in this episode, he is well on his way to becoming a fearsome bounty hunter.
The Mandalorian“Chapter 14: The Tragedy”
Boba Fett makes small appearances at the beginning of chapters 5 and 9 ofThe Mandalorian, with the shocking revelation that he did not die in the sarlacc pit. Chapter 14 finally has Fett interact with Din Djarin when he and Fennec Shand approach Djarin to request he return Fett’s armor. In the middle of this tense negotiation, they find themselves under attack from Imperial forces seeking Grogu.
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Even if you’ve seen it, this episode is worth a rewatch.NotedStar Warsfan Ming-Na Wen as FennecandTemuera Morrisonas Boba deliver one of the most exciting action sequences inStar Warscanon. Boba, clad in Tusken Raider garb and wielding a gaffi stick, smashes his way through Stormtroopers to get to his armor. He reemerges and continues the fight in a totally different style before single-handedly dropping two ships out of the sky.
The Mandalorian“Chapter 15: The Believer”
During his negotiations with Din Djarin, Boba Fett promised the safety of the Mandalorian and the child if his armor was returned. So, he assists Din as he infiltrates an imperial base to find out where Grogu is being held. In the end of the episode, he demonstrates his prowess as a pilot as he rescues Din and Mayfeld and wins a dogfight.
This episode demonstrates that Fett at the pinnacle of his capability as a warrior is also Fett at the pinnacle of his honor. Although the Imperial capture of Grogu was not his fault, he still lays his life on the line to help get the child back. This honor, first instilled in him by a friend of his father, is what differentiates him from prior daimyos inThe Book of Boba Fett.
The Mandalorian“Chapter 16: The Rescue”
Although Boba’s appearance in the final episode of Season 2 includes more of his piloting, the most interesting moment comes when he and Din go to ask Bo-Katan for help. There is a brief but intense fight between Boba and Koska Reeves.
The different philosophies of surviving groups of Mandalorians are highlighted while demonstrating that Boba Fett really doesn’t have a place among any of them. He is a simple man making his way through the galaxy and he’s going to have to make that way on his own.
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