The first Book of Boba Fett trailer suggests the show will follow in The Mandalorian’s footsteps as the perfect expansion of Star Wars’ original trilogy. The series will debut on Disney+ on December 29th with Temuera Morrison reprising his role as Boba Fett, and Ming-Na Wen returning as mercenary Fennec Shand. Directing duties are split between Robert Rodriguez, John Favreau, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Dave Filoni.
Plot details for The Book of Boba Fett are scarce, but the spinoff show will chart Fett’s attempts to gain control of Jabba the Hutt’s territory and become the new crime lord of Tatooine. The series will surely explore what happened to Boba Fett after he fell into the sarlacc’s mouth in Return of the Jedi and before he met Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal). More importantly, it’s an ideal opportunity to delve into a criminal underworld and explore a different side of the Star Wars galaxy.
The Book of Boba Fett can illustrate why he is such an infamous bounty hunter, expanding upon both his legacy and that of Star Wars’ original trilogy. The Mandalorian effectively recalled the intrigue and excitement of George Lucas’ initial films, emphasizing the franchise’s western roots and the theme of fatherhood. The Book of Boba Fett’s trailer similarly evokes the mood of the original trilogy. Jabba’s Palace conjures up the unsettling imagery of Return of the Jedi, and the show is set to explore his criminal legacy, building upon what Lucas envisioned instead of radically changing or ignoring it.
Footage of a spider-like BT-16 perimeter droid scuttling over the Tatooine desert, with Jabba’s Palace looming in the distance, instantly creates a mysterious, foreboding atmosphere, reminiscent of Return of the Jedi‘s opening rescue mission. Brief shots of Tatooine’s vibrant life suggest The Book of Boba Fett will dive into the aftermath of the collapse of the Galactic Empire, echoing The Mandalorian but with a greater focus on the planet’s underworld. Din Djarin’s story necessitated traveling to numerous planets, highlighting the isolated life of a bounty hunter. Meanwhile, the original trilogy’s premise of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) navigating his place within the Galactic Civil War meant it could only provide a tantalizing peek at the many species and oddities of the galaxy. The Book of Boba Fett could benefit from a more grounded story, perhaps set solely on Tatooine, but utilize its several episodes to reveal the planet’s power struggle and the impact of warring factions on the lives of regular citizens.
Spotlighting new characters offers the chance to illuminate differing perspectives on iconic figures, lending greater nuance to Star Wars’ original trilogy. Jabba the Hutt was depicted as one of the galaxy’s most notorious gangsters, but the movie didn’t have time to address how he became so powerful, nor the intricate dynamics of his criminal dealings. The Book of Boba Fett will showcase Jabba’s legacy and the gangs who rose up in the wake of his death. It will see Boba Fett attempt to unite the criminal enterprises, stating in the trailer, “Jabba ruled with fear. I intend to rule with respect.” This implies many criminals begrudgingly served Jabba, with little admiration for him, or any of the Hutt family. The show can shed new light on Jabba, with Fett experiencing similar struggles and improving upon his predecessor’s mistakes.
Returning to Jabba the Hutt’s Palace will surely recall the battle at a sarlacc pit and could even salvage his embarrassing defeat by having Fett confront his failures. Perhaps he will struggle to deal with his own legacy, drawing comparisons to Jabba and questioning what Tatooine really needs to achieve stability. The Book of Boba Fett can expand upon Fett’s original characterization and transform him from a feared bounty hunter into a revered leader.
Key Release Dates
- Rogue Squadron (2023)Release date: Dec 22, 2023
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