IfThe Book of Boba Fettset out to do anything, it was to developBoba Fett as characterbeyond what many people thought of him based on his brief appearance in the original trilogy. Not only has much of the character’s history from the oldLegendscontinuity been scrubbed in favor of a new story, but the trajectory of Boba’s character growth has been changed in some pretty significant ways after the events ofStar Wars: Return of the JediandThe MandalorianSeason 2 (when he made his exciting reemergence).
Some of these changes were met with widespread fan acclaim, while other changes faced a little more scrutiny. Either way, it’s clear thatThe Book of Boba Fettwanted to show a deeper, more emotive Boba than fans were expecting. Whether the show succeeded is up to the fans.
5Boba is a Nice Guy (Sort Of)
Many fans might remember Boba Fett’s cold and seemingly merciless personality fromTheEmpire Strikes Back. Back then the character was known for two things: disintegrations, and having the guts to back-talk Darth Vader. Starting withTheMandalorianseason 2, however, Boba began to exude a bit more humanity, though he still retained a fair bit of devilishness in his personality.
RELATED:The Book Of Boba Fett: Things You Need To Know About Black Krrsantan
Now, withThe Book of Boba Fett,Boba is a noticeably warmer person than before. Not only does he make a point treat other people with respect (including some of his enemies), he goes out of his way to protect the town of Mos Espa from the Pikes and stop their Spice trade. He even goes so far as to put his life on the line for whom he considers “his people.“Cad Baneeven mentions how much softer Boba has become in his old age, to which Boba himself agrees.
4Survival Of The Sarlacc Pit
Boba falling into the Sarlacc Pit has been one of the most universally disliked moments inStar Warshistory. It quickly became retconned in expanded media, though the story has changed a number of times.The Book of Boba Fettfinally gives a definitive answer not only as what Boba was doing while trapped in the pit, but how he escaped and what happened to him afterwards.
Originally, Boba survived the Pit with the help offellow bounty hunterDengar, who found him half dead after having detonated his jetpack while inside. In the show, Boba, while still trapped within the Sarlacc, just barely escaped by using his flamethrower to burn a hole through its flesh and dig his way out through the sand, but not before stealing a bit of air from a long dead stormtrooper’s helmet. From there, Boba’s armor was then stripped from him by the Jawas while he lay unconscious, leaving him open to be captured by Tusken Raiders.
3Boba And The Tusken Raiders
Some of the best parts of a show are undoubtedly those which feature theTusken Raider tribethat took Boba in after he escaped the Sarlacc Pit. This relationship was hinted at briefly inThe Mandalorianvia Boba’s robed attire and use of a unique Gaffi Stick and rifle, but there was never an official explanation untilThe Book of Boba Fettshowed him being taken in by Tuskens and staying with them for years as one of them.
RELATED:The Book Of Boba Fett: Easter Eggs In Episode 1 Only Die-Hard Star Wars Fans Noticed
The Tribe, in essence, became Boba’s new family, one to take the place of the father he lost on Geonosis inStar Wars: Attack of the Clones. Unfortunately, Boba would lose this new family just as he lost his father when he was boy. This ultimately forms the basis of his motivation in the show: he wants to start a new tribe, a new family, with which to rule Mos Espa. This also explains the function ofCad Bane as a foil for Boba Fett’s character. He is a loner who only looks out for himself, and considers attachments to be a weakness.
2A Bounty Hunter No More
Boba’s desire to be a crime lord was directly foreshadowed at the end ofThe MandalorianSeason 2, when Boba shot Bib Fortuna in Jabba The Hutt’s palace. However, the details of his bounty hunting career were still up in the air. Was he going to be the leader of a new bounty hunting organization? Would he use his new position as a way to settle all of his old scores? These were questions that had yet to be answered.
RELATED:Star Wars 1313: The Boba Fett-Uncharted Mashup That Never Was
Once the show released, it became clear that Boba was no longer in the bounty hunting business at all. In fact, his motives were to act as a sort of sheriff of Mos Espa, protecting it from invaders and settling disputes between inhabitants. Boba even refers to himself as a “former bounty hunter” to Black Krrsantan. This is a far cry from some other expanded media, which had him continue his bounty hunting ways after escaping the Sarlacc Pit.
1Boba Is Now An Animal Lover
Perhaps the most surprising new development inThe Book of Boba FettisBoba’s new-found love for all sorts of animal-like creatures. Not only does he show affection for the Banthas and Massiffs on more than one occasion while living among the Tuskens, he also shows affection towards his newly acquired pet Rancor (which is not named). He pets and scratches them with glee while they reciprocate his affection in various (and hilarious) ways.
Previous expanded media never showed this side of Boba. In fact, his very first appearance in theStar Wars Holiday Specialsees him mistreating the large ichthyodont that he rides upon first meeting Luke and the droids while search for Han Solo. Beyond this, the films only showed Fett displaying affection for the dancers in Jabba’s palace inReturn of the Jedi.
MORE:The Book of Boba Fett: Ways the Show Challenges Perceptions of the Original Trilogy
