3 Reasons Why Boba Fett is the Coolest Space Cowboy Ever
With the recent premier of The Book of Boba Fett on Disney +, once again all eyes are on one of the most popular Star Wars characters ever.
Dressed in battle-worn armor and never showing his face, this dark and mysterious bounty hunter has been capturing the hearts of Star Wars fans for decades since his first film appearance in The Empire Strikes Back (his very first appearance anywhere was in the 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special).
One of the reasons why this character stands out so much is his remarkable cowboy persona, which was no accident. Read on to find out why Boba Fett might just be the coolest space cowboy ever.
Not So Humble Beginnings
When George Lucas developed the Boba Fett character, he based his personality off Clint Eastwood’s character, The Man With No Name, from the Fistful of Dollars trilogy. Eastwood’s calm and cool, yet intimidating demeanor in these movies was the perfect model for a mysterious bounty hunter. This is also why Boba Fett wears a poncho and boots. The mismatched, battle-worn look of his Mandalorian-style armor speaks to hard earned trophies that Fett had collected from his bounties over the years.
I’ve Got Spurs That Jingle-Jangle-Jingle
Boba Fett’s theme, composed by John Williams, accompanied his appearance in Cloud City in The Empire Strikes Back. The theme has been described by Williams as “not music exactly - more of a gurgly viola and bassoon thing aurally cross-pollinated with some obscure static sounds.” The addition of the sound effect of spurs jingling, laid over the music by foley artists Robert Rutlege and Edward Steidel, coincided with each step Boba Fett took, creating a subtle yet powerful effect. Boba Fett was an intimidating force, much like the legendary cowboy that inspired his creation.
If the Suit Fits…
Many people are surprised to learn that the actor who portrayed the original Boba Fett in The Empire Strikes Back, Jeremy Bulloch, wasn’t chosen for his acting skills. Rather, it was because the Mandalorian-style armor created for the movie fit him perfectly. He held himself and his blaster in similar fashion to Eastwood’s The Man With No Name character which gave him the quiet yet intimidating presence. He did not develop a backstory for Boba Fett, nor did he read from a script, which was done on purpose to further contribute to the character’s mystery.
When Boba Fett first gained his popularity back in the early 80’s, it was unprecedented and unexpected. However, it has since become apparent that the mystery of the character has made him a fan favorite. Despite all of the speculations about his origins and his past, let’s hope those remain shrouded, so that we can continue to enjoy this ultimate space cowboy the way he was meant to be.