Source: The Wrap | Posted By: Dan Geer
It has been long-speculated that one of the first stand-alone Star Wars films (currently referred to as the Star Wars Anthology films) would be an origin story about Boba Fett – the bounty hunter that captured Han Solo in The Empire Strikes Back and delivered him to Jabba the Hutt in Return of the Jedi. Today, The Wrap confirms that the second Star Wars Anthology film (no longer directed by Josh Trank) will indeed be all about the Fett. May the 4th be with you!
We really know nothing more about this film except that it hasn’t found a new director since Trank left the project. Presumably, the story will take place some time after Attack of the Clones, where we last saw Boba Fett in a live-action Star Wars film. Of course many have speculated that actor Daniel Logan, who portrayed the character as a kid in that film (as well as The Clone Wars animated series), may play an older version of the character, since he is now the perfect age for it (he’ll be 28 this year, and would probably be in his early 30s by the time filming begins for the second Anthology film). So, let us speculate, shall we?
My guess is that the story will probably be set closer to the original Star Wars trilogy era, since it seems it is around this era where Lucasfilm has currently surrounded their first few film and TV projects from a galaxy far, far away. Disney XD’s Star Wars Rebels animated series is set five years before the original Star Wars film, and director Gareth Edwards’ Star Wars Anthology: Rogue One (the first stand-alone film due out in 2016) tells the story of the heist plotted by the Rebel Alliance to steal the Death Star plans. Sure, Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens is set 30 years after Return of the Jedi, but we all know the goal of that film is to maintain the look and feel of the original trilogy (Hamill, Ford and Fisher reprising their roles certainly helps). Lucasfilm is attempting to go back to the roots of what made Star Wars so appealing in the first place.
As far as Daniel Logan playing the character again, I think he’d be great. But I’d also understand if they want to cast someone different. And of course there’s the fan-made idea (this has been floating around for quite a while now) of Boba Fett regaining his mysterious “man with no name” reputation by having the original Boba Fett killed in this film by an unknown assailant who then dawns the armor and jetpack. They wouldn’t even have to show his face during this moment, thus leaving the identity of the Fett we see in the original trilogy a mystery like it was for the 19 years we had between Return of the Jedi and Attack of the Clones (and then all the fans who gripe about how Attack of the Clones spoiled the mystery behind the infamous bounty hunter can quit whining).
Personally, I didn’t mind finding out Boba was a clone and that he was a big part of the origin of the Storm Troopers. Really great idea actually. But I do like the idea of maintaining the mystery as well. Telling more than what we already know puts that at risk. Besides the fact that his mandalorian armor was pretty cool, it was the mystery behind the character that made him so appealing. And while we do know more about him since the Star Wars prequels and The Clone Wars series, there are still a couple of decades between that era and the original trilogy that leave it wide open for speculation as to what Fett was up to during that time. When you think about it, we still hardly know anything.
The question is really whether or not fan speculation is more fun than having his story revealed. I tend to lean toward leaving well enough alone and just leave what mystery we have left in tact. But since they’re going to make the film, killing off the original Fett is admittedly a great way to bring us back to what made the character so appealing in the first place, which was the lack of what we know.
In the end, story and character are all that matters at this point, since the movie is happening. So, since they’re going to reveal more about Fett, it had better be one of the best Star Wars stories of all time. Only this can outweigh the fun fans have had over the years speculating about him.
Of course, every single Star Wars fan on the planet will be in line to see this film anyway, whether they want more Fett or not.
