‘The Book of Boba Fett’ Trailer Breakdown and Speculation: Will History Repeat Itself?
Long have we waited, for a new Star Wars trailer! Well, it has arrived, and this time it is for the upcoming Disney Plus series The Book of Boba Fett. Now, as is tradition, it’s time to break down the trailer and speculate on what it might have teased, misled, and foreshadowed…which might be the death of Boba Fett.
Okay, don’t pull your blaster on me yet, let me explain. The first shot of the trailer gives us a “brain walker” carrying the brain of a B’omarr monk. Fans will recall they scared the bejeezus out of C-3PO as he entered Jabba’s palace in Return of the Jedi. I can’t blame the lovable and oft-scared protocol droid, as I would be terrified, too. I do find it interesting this is the first shot. Could it simply be a deep cut Easter egg for well-deserved knowledgable fans? Absolutely. But, what if it is a history lesson for the former bounty hunter and new crime boss, Boba Fett?
The B’omarr monk is well on the outskirts of Jabba the Hutt’s palace (now Fett’s). The vile gangster allowed them to remain after he took their monastery from them. Is starting the trailer off with the monks foreshadowing the fate of the palace occupier? Life didn’t end well for Jabba or Bib Fortuna, the last two occupants.
The trailer voiceover begins, with Temuera Morrison’s instantly recognizable New Zealand accent letting everyone know, Boba Fett is no longer a bounty hunter.
A droid gives Fett his helmet, perhaps in his personal quarters of his new home. The declaration he is not a bounty hunter could easily be skimmed over, but it carries weight. Fett is no longer for hire or working for someone, he is finally the boss. From this point forward we will see Boba Fett do what he wants, and not because a job dictates it.
I can’t not bring up this nod to Fett’s armor in the iconic Lucasfilm logo above, a nice touch as the trailer continues.
We are then introduced to an Ithorian, or as many of us refer to them as, Hammerheads, who acknowledges Fett now sits on the throne of a fallen Jabba the Hutt. For The Godfather fans, this type of interaction reminded me a bit of Hyman Roth acknowledging Michael Corleone taking over the business from Vito, perhaps with a hint of doubt. Will Fett be taken seriously and respected? Or will he need to prove his legitimacy throughout the series? Either way, there are plenty of visual and narrative-based organized crime vibes happening in this trailer.
It is interesting to hear an Ithorian using what appears to be a translator device of sorts, sort of like how the frog lady used a droid to speak in The Mandalorian. Typically Ithorians sound inaudible, and I know I am not the only person to think this voice sounded way too much like Pedro Pascal. The first thing my wife said when she watched was “that sounds like Mando.” Odd choice, unless there’s a reason, and I hope it’s not.
On to the landscape shot of this city, which looks like Coruscant and Jedha had a baby. I personally don’t think this is Tatooine, as it seems way too dense and populated for a planet where Mos Eisley is its biggest city. Not exactly fitting for the planet Luke Skywalker referred to as furthest from the bright center of the universe. This place looks like Manhattan! Doesn’t it take you back to The Force Awakens first trailer? I think I can safely say most of us assumed that out of breath stormtrooper (Finn) popped up into frame on Tatooine….nope! So I am sticking with this not being Tatooine. So where is this? You tell me!
The trailer wants us to think this is where Fett and Shand goes to see the Ithorian, sandwiching it between scenes, and it may very well be. The next encounter reminded me a lot of the awesome scene in the pilot of The Mandalorian, where a surrounded Mando said “I like those odds.”
I am not sure what the point of Boba Fett and Fennec Shand having Gamorreans as security is, but I will always sign up for it. Gamorreans are cool so to use my first Dad-joke of this article, allow me to say: “Gamorr, the better”.
Fett’s voiceover continues, he intends to rule with respect, versus Jabba who ruled with fear. I can’t help but think this is a bit of a red herring. I know Fett being a decades-long bounty hunter knows what it takes to survive in the galaxy. Hell, the guy talked back to Darth Vader and lived to tell about it. But, I don’t think Robert Rodriguez, Favreau, and Filoni, are interested in telling a story about a peaceful and diplomatic Boba Fett, because on a surface entertainment level, that’s not very fun.
That takes us to a classic “meeting of the five families” type of scene, where Fennec Shand reveals those Fett is meeting with are former captains of Jabba the Hutt. Sounds like Fett needs to convince them he can do as much, if not more, for them than that slimy piece of worm-ridden filth. But will they get such pleasure? Fett continues:
I’m here to make a proposal that’s mutually beneficial. Why speak of conflict when cooperation can make us all rich.”
One of the more interesting shots of the trailer is of Flashdance star, the seemingly ageless Jennifer Beals, who appears as a Twi’lek. What a feeling to be in Star Wars, right? But hey, she took her passion and made it happen. Anyway, check out the familiar looking character on the very bottom right. Aside from my stellar self-made label and arrow making it obvious, is it possible that is none other than Ochi of Bestoon?
The recent Darth Vader #17 comic revealed that after a long period of contention, Ochi ends up freeing an imprisoned Qi’ra, now ruler of Crimson Dawn, and stands by her side. Is it possible Emilia Clarke returns as Qi’ra in The Book of Boba Fett? That would be pretty wild and add an amazing level of connectivity between eras in the Star Wars story. It would also mean Crimson Dawn plays a role in more underworld entanglements, which will likely include other groups, in addition to what Fett is trying to build. That is a heavy dose of speculation on my part, but we’ll see what happens.
I don’t think you create a show with Boba Fett as your main character without unloading the kitchen sink, including all of his baggage, and with that I would be completely shocked if they don’t bring Cad Bane into this series. I think we will see live-action Cad Bane, which is hopefully still voiced by Corey Burton. Give fans what they want, a final duel, once and for all.
Okay, brief speculation break. Cue the action montage/barrage of shots which includes a flyby of the Slave I, and a battle in the streets where Fett and Fennec are surrounded by an unknown group using some sort of energy shields and electrostaffs, which likely ends poorly for said group, and includes Fett smashing more heads in.
Now, for the line that sparks interest from me, as it ties to a recent exclusive report of ours. Fennec Shand calls out someone who may have gotten a little too mouthy toward Boba, and this line is clearly spoken to a different audience than the one sitting at that table, though it’s edited as though it’s a direct response. Either way, Fennec says, “If you had spoken such insolence to Jabba, he’d have fed you to his menagerie.” Now after I Googled menagerie, my mind immediately went to Fett owning multiple rancors. Jabba fed insolent beings to his rancor, and if he had a menagerie that means he had more than one. We know Luke Skywalker killed one, Pateesa, so what happened to the rest? Well, our exclusive report from last month sheds light on what Boba Fett has in mind for the surviving rancors. I won’t spoil it but you can check that out right here.
Now, to round this thing out. Boba Fett is now on top of a criminal empire he once served. So back to my original question: Will history repeat itself? Everyone who lived in that palace from the B’omarr monks to crime Jabba the Hutt, and Bib Fortuna, met their demise. This makes me believe we won’t be seeing Boba Fett ride off into the sunset when it’s all said and done. I think Boba Fett could attempt a more diplomatic reign, but his past and his nature will eventually end up being too much. I am not sure if The Book of Boba Fett will have more seasons or not. I know some of the crew merchandise has “season 1” on it, so it’s possible, but I think when the suns set on this story, Boba Fett will meet his demise by the end of The Book of Boba Fett.
Regardless of how I think it might end, if what we have already seen and heard about this show is any indication, we’re in for a wild ride with this self-proclaimed simple man making his way through the galaxy, like his father before him.
John Hoey is the Lead Editor and Senior Writer for Star Wars News Net and the host of The Resistance Broadcast podcast
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