Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

The Book of Boba Fett surprise cameo answers decades-old question from Return of the Jedi

Spoilers for ‘Book of Boba Fett’ below

Annabel Nugent
Monday 17 January 2022 18:08 GMT
Comments
Luke Skywalker kills rancor in Return of the Jedi

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Book of Boba Fett has provided Star Wars fans with the answer to a question dating back to a moment in Return of the Jedi.

The recently released series focuses on the former bounty hunter Boba Fett (Temuera Morrison) following his return in The Mandalorian last year.

Viewers were shocked to see an iconic actor make a surprise appearance in the third episode of the series, entitled “The Streets of Mos Espa”.

Spoilers for The Book of Boba Fett below

Danny Trejo (previously Machete and From Dusk Till Dawn) made a cameo as a rancor handler.

After the episode – directed by Robert Rodriguez, who has previously worked with Rejo on Spy Kids –  aired, Trejo’s name began trending on Twitter as fans shared their reactions to the moment.

As noted by The Hollywood Reporter, the scene involving Trejo also serves to better explain a brief moment in the 1983 film Return of the Jedi.

Trejo’s character informs Fett that rancors are, in fact, gentle creatures unless they feel threatened. He also tells him that a rancor will “imprint” on the first person it sees, meaning that it will form a special bond with that person.

(YouTube)

This tidbit of information shines some light on a scene in Return of the Jedi, during which Luke Skywalker kills Jabba’s rancor leaving the creature’s keeper distraught.

As noted by the publication, viewers at the time were confused as to why the keeper would mourn the rancor.

The explanation offered by Trejo’s character in TheBook of Boba Fett, however, suggests that despite Jabba being the creature’s owner, the rancor would likely have imprinted on the keeper meaning that they shared a special bond.

Apple TV+ logo

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free
Apple TV+ logo

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free

Fett was a popular character in the original Star Wars trilogy, but was thought to be dead after being knocked into the Sarlaac pit during Return of the Jedi.

The Book of Boba Fett can be streamed now on Disney Plus, with new episodes arriving each Wednesday.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in