Star Wars
''Star Wars'' is an American epic film, epic space opera media franchise created by George Lucas, which began with the Star Wars (film), eponymous 1977 film and Cultural impact of Star Wars, quickly became a worldwide popular culture, pop cu ...
'' franchise, created by
George Lucas
George Walton Lucas Jr. (born May 14, 1944) is an American filmmaker and philanthropist. He created the ''Star Wars'' and ''Indiana Jones'' franchises and founded Lucasfilm, LucasArts, Industrial Light & Magic and THX. He served as chairman ...
. He first appeared as the secondary
antagonist
An antagonist is a character in a story who is presented as the main enemy or rival of the protagonist and is often depicted as a villain.Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones'', played by Temuera Morrison. The character is a Mandalorian
bounty hunter
A bounty hunter is a private agent working for a bail bondsman who captures fugitives or criminals for a commission or bounty. The occupation, officially known as a bail enforcement agent or fugitive recovery agent, has traditionally operated ...
, regarded as the best
mercenary
A mercenary is a private individual who joins an armed conflict for personal profit, is otherwise an outsider to the conflict, and is not a member of any other official military. Mercenaries fight for money or other forms of payment rather t ...
in the galaxy of his era, and the father of Boba Fett, an unmodified clone of Jango whom he kept as payment for serving as the genetic template of the Galactic Republic's clone army and raised as his son. After Jango's death at the hands of
Mace Windu
Mace Windu is a fictional character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise. He was introduced in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, prequel trilogy as a Jedi Master who sits on the Jedi Council, Jedi High Council during the final years of the Galactic Repub ...
, Boba follows in his father's footsteps, using his father's armor, equipment, and ship, '' Slave I'', to become a successful bounty hunter in his own right.
Outside of the films, the character appears in a number of canonical and non-canonical ''Star Wars'' works, such as
comic book
A comic book, comic-magazine, or simply comic is a publication that consists of comics art in the form of sequential juxtaposed panel (comics), panels that represent individual scenes. Panels are often accompanied by descriptive prose and wri ...
s and
video game
A video game or computer game is an electronic game that involves interaction with a user interface or input device (such as a joystick, game controller, controller, computer keyboard, keyboard, or motion sensing device) to generate visual fe ...
s, which depict him as an
antihero
An antihero (sometimes spelled as anti-hero or two words anti hero) or anti-heroine is a character in a narrative (in literature, film, TV, etc.) who may lack some conventional heroic qualities and attributes, such as idealism and morality. Al ...
rather than a villainous figure, and explore his past as both a bounty hunter and Mandalorian warrior. Since the release of ''Attack of the Clones'', Jango Fett has become a popular figure within the ''Star Wars'' fanbase, gaining a
cult following
A cult following is a group of fans who are highly dedicated to a person, idea, object, movement, or work, often an artist, in particular a performing artist, or an artwork in some medium. The latter is often called a cult classic. A film, boo ...
, with Morrison later portraying Jango's son Boba in the
Disney+
The Walt Disney Company, commonly referred to as simply Disney, is an American multinational mass media and entertainment industry, entertainment conglomerate (company), conglomerate headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios (Burbank), Walt Di ...
In early drafts of ''Attack of the Clones'', Fett's first name was "J'mee". His name is a reference to
Sergio Corbucci
Sergio Corbucci (; 6 December 1926 – 1 December 1990) was an Italian film director, screenwriter and Film producer, producer. He was one of the main exponents of the Spaghetti Western genre during the 1960s and 1970s, with his most notable work ...
's 1966
Spaghetti Western
The spaghetti Western is a broad subgenre of Western films produced in Europe. It emerged in the mid-1960s in the wake of Sergio Leone's filmmaking style and international box-office success. The term was used by foreign critics because most o ...
Franco Nero
Francesco Clemente Giuseppe Sparanero (born 23 November 1941), known professionally as Franco Nero, is an Italian actor. His breakthrough role was as the title character in the Spaghetti Western film '' Django'' (1966), which made him a pop cul ...
. Django was very well known due to the uses and abuses that the Spaghetti Western industry made of his name and character during the 1970s and 1980s.
Jango is covered in a sleek armored suit that conceals his scarred face, largely based on Boba Fett's iconic outfit (designed by
Joe Johnston
Joseph Eggleston Johnston II (born May 13, 1950) is an American film director, producer, writer, and visual effects artist. He is best known for directing effects-driven films, including '' Honey, I Shrunk the Kids'' (1989), '' The Rocketeer' ...
) from the original trilogy. His suit was initially planned to be white to match the concept art for Boba Fett, but this was changed to silver and blue, in contrast to Boba's green, red, and orange. Jango also uniquely has thigh, shin, and spat armor, as well as a comparative lack of accessories and trophies.
Franchise creator
George Lucas
George Walton Lucas Jr. (born May 14, 1944) is an American filmmaker and philanthropist. He created the ''Star Wars'' and ''Indiana Jones'' franchises and founded Lucasfilm, LucasArts, Industrial Light & Magic and THX. He served as chairman ...
decided that Jango would wear Mandalorian armor but would not be from their planet.
Portrayal
Jango Fett was portrayed by Temuera Morrison in ''Attack of the Clones'', who subsequently voiced the character in most of his video game appearances, including '' Star Wars: Bounty Hunter'', '' Star Wars: Battlefront II'', '' Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron'', and the PSP version of '' Star Wars: The Force Unleashed''. According to Morrison, he "couldn't see anything" while wearing the costume's helmet due to fog from his breath, making it difficult to perform.
Additionally, Jango was portrayed by Bob Marshall in a commercial for ''Star Wars: Bounty Hunter'' (but the voice was provided by a different, unknown actor), and voiced by
Jeff Bennett
Jeff Bennett (born October 2, 1962) is an American voice actor. He voiced the titular character of ''Johnny Bravo'', Dexter and Dee Dee's Dad in ''Dexter's Laboratory'', List of The Powerpuff Girls characters#Ace, Ace, List of The Powerpuff Gi ...
In '' Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones'', Jango is depicted as a bounty hunter who had been hired to be the genetic template for the Grand Army of the Republic, becoming entangled in a shady plot by
Sith
The Sith are the main antagonists in the fictional universe of the ''Star Wars'' franchise. They are the antithesis and ancient enemies of the Jedi. The Sith Order is depicted as an ancient cult of warriors who draw strength from the dark sid ...
Lord Darth Tyranus (publicly known as Count Dooku). He is later hired by Viceroy Nute Gunray of the Trade Federation to assassinate Senator Padmé Amidala in retaliation for her actions in ''
The Phantom Menace
''The'' is a grammatical article in English, denoting nouns that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The ...
''. Fett subcontracts the job to shape-shifter Zam Wesell. Two failed assassination attempts on the Senator's life force Fett to kill Wesell with a poison dart, to prevent her from potentially leading the
Jedi
Jedi (), Jedi Knights, or collectively the Jedi Order are fictional characters, and often protagonists, featured in many works within the '' Star Wars'' franchise. Working symbiotically alongside the Galactic Republic, the Jedi Order is depic ...
to the ocean planet Kamino.
Despite Jango's efforts,
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Obi-Wan "Ben" Kenobi () is a character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise. In the original film trilogy, he is a Jedi Master who trains Luke Skywalker in the ways of the Force. In the prequel trilogy, he mentors Luke's father, Anakin Skywalke ...
's own investigation of the poison dart ultimately brings him to Kamino, where he soon learns that a cloning facility on the planet is using Jango's genetic template to produce a massive clone army, seemingly commissioned on behalf of the Galactic Republic. The ensuing confrontation between Obi-Wan and Jango forces the latter to flee to
Geonosis
Geonosis is a desert planet in the Star Wars fictional universe. Located in the Outer Rim, it orbits the star Ea. The Clone Wars, a major feature of the Star Wars universe, began when the Galactic Republic invaded Geonosis, then in the hands ...
, rendezvousing with his benefactor Tyranus. Jango takes part in the Battle of Geonosis, where he encounters a rhinoceros-like beast known as a reek, which tramples and damages his jetpack. Unable to fly away, he is then decapitated by
Jedi Master
Jedi (), Jedi Knights, or collectively the Jedi Order are fictional characters, and often protagonists, featured in many works within the ''Star Wars'' franchise. Working symbiotically alongside the Galactic Republic, the Jedi Order is depicte ...
Mace Windu
Mace Windu is a fictional character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise. He was introduced in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, prequel trilogy as a Jedi Master who sits on the Jedi Council, Jedi High Council during the final years of the Galactic Repub ...
.
Jango's legacy is taken up in the form of the Republic's clone army based on his genetic material, as well as his son Boba, who inherits the armor once worn by Jango and goes on to become the most notorious bounty hunter in the galaxy.
Television
''The Clone Wars''
Jango is mentioned posthumously several times in the animated television series '' Star Wars: The Clone Wars''.
In the episode "The Mandalore Plot", Obi-Wan Kenobi mentions his encounter with Jango to Prime Minister Almec of Mandalore, who dismisses Fett's ties to the Mandalorian culture. In the episode "Clone Cadets", Prime Minister Lama Su of Kamino laments that Fett's death has resulted in the Kaminoan cloners' supply of his DNA being stretched thin. A hologram of Fett appears in the following episode, "ARC Troopers".'' Star Wars: The Clone Wars''
In a three-episode story arc comprising "Death Trap", "R2 Come Home", and "Lethal Trackdown", Boba Fett works with fellow bounty hunters to exact revenge against Mace Windu for the latter killing his father. The boy sacrifices Jango's helmet to bait Windu toward an explosive device hidden inside it, though Windu senses the trap and survives. After Boba is apprehended by the Republic, he vows to never forgive the Jedi for his father's death.
streaming television
Streaming television is the digital distribution of television content, such as films and television series, streamed over the Internet. Standing in contrast to dedicated terrestrial television delivered by over-the-air aerial systems, cable t ...
series. Boba reveals that his armor (which he reclaims from the
title character
The title character in a narrative work is one who is named or referred to in the title of the work. In a performed work such as a play or film, the performer who plays the title character is said to have the title role of the piëce. The title o ...
) is the very suit once worn by his father and thus his birthright. Between Boba's dialog and the holographic "chain code" he shows the protagonist, it is established that Jango was adopted into the Mandalorian culture by his mentor, Jaster; that he hailed from Concord Dawn; and that he fought in the Mandalorian Civil Wars—elements all broadly reflective of the character's backstory in the Legends comic '' Jango Fett: Open Seasons''.
''The Bad Batch''
Jango is mentioned again in '' Star Wars: The Bad Batch'', an animated spin-off from the ''Clone Wars'' series. The episodes "Aftermath" and "Bounty Lost" revealed that Omega, a girl who joined Clone Force 99 after the rise of the Galactic Empire, is an enhanced female clone and second unaltered replication of Fett's template, therefore making her his daughter.'' Star Wars: The Bad Batch''
Cad Bane
Cad Bane is a character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise. Created by George Lucas, Dave Filoni and Henry Gilroy, he first appeared in the animated series '' Star Wars: The Clone Wars'' (voiced by Corey Burton). Burton would return to voice Ban ...
taunts Boba about being a killer like his father causing Boba to retaliate and kill Bane.
Canonical literature
Jango is the protagonist of the
Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics is a New York City–based comic book publishing, publisher, a property of the Walt Disney Company since December 31, 2009, and a subsidiary of Disney Publishing Worldwide since March 2023. Marvel was founded in 1939 by Martin G ...
one-shot ''Star Wars: Age of Republic – Jango Fett'' (2019).
''Legends''
In April 2014, most of the licensed ''Star Wars'' novels, comics, video games, and other works produced since the original 1977 film were rebranded by Lucasfilm as ''Star Wars'' Legends and declared non-canonical to the franchise going forward.
Video games
* '' Star Wars: Bounty Hunter'' features Jango Fett as the playable character. The game depicts Jango during his prime as a bounty hunter, providing the backstory to his role in ''Attack of the Clones''. Fett is entangled in an extensive "death stick" trafficking conspiracy, which ends with him defeating fallen Jedi Komari Vosa and outgunning his longtime rival Montross, a fellow Mandalorian. The whole ordeal is actually a trial organized by Count Dooku to find a suitable candidate to be the genetic template of the clone army.'' Star Wars: Bounty Hunter''
*Fett makes further playable appearances in '' Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter'', ''
Lego Star Wars
Lego ''Star Wars'' (stylized as ''LEGO Star Wars'') is a List of Lego themes, Lego theme based on the Star Wars, ''Star Wars'' media franchise created by George Lucas. It includes over 928 Lego building toy sets, 1389 Lego minifigures, an ep ...
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4
''Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4'' is a 2002 skateboarding game developed by Neversoft and published by Activision under their Activision O2 label. The game was ported by different developers to various systems. It is the fourth installment in the ' ...
PlayStation Portable
The PlayStation Portable (PSP) is a handheld game console developed and marketed by Sony Interactive Entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment. It was first released in Japan on December 12, 2004, in North America on March 24, 2005, and in PA ...
version of '' Star Wars: The Force Unleashed''.
*Additionally, an evil pig version of Jango Fett (called "Jango Fatt") is a playable character in '' Angry Birds Star Wars II'', alongside his son "Boba Fatt" and clone troopers.
Literature
Fett appears in the
Dark Horse
A dark horse is a previously lesser-known person, team or thing that emerges to prominence in a situation, especially in a competition involving multiple rivals, that is unlikely to succeed but has a fighting chance, unlike the underdog who is exp ...
comic books ''Jango Fett'', ''Jango Fett: Open Seasons'', and the
Toys "R" Us
Toys "R" Us is an American toy, clothing, and baby product retailer owned by Tru Kids (doing business as Tru Kids Brands) and various others. The company was founded in 1948 in Washington, D.C.; its first store was built in April 1948, with i ...
promotional comic ''Full of Surprises''.
He also appears in the ''Star Wars: Adventures'' books ''Jango Fett vs. The Razor Eaters'', ''The Shape Shifter Strikes'', and ''Warlords of Balmorra''.
The character was also in the ''Jedi Readers'' book ''Jango Fett: Bounty Hunter'', in ''Boba Fett: The Fight to Survive'', and the novelization of ''Episode II – Attack of the Clones''.
= ''Jango Fett: Open Seasons''
=
''Jango Fett: Open Seasons'' is a comic written by
Haden Blackman
William Haden Blackman is an American video game designer and writer.
Early life
Blackman grew up in Seal Beach, California. As a child, he read comic books during long road trips, which created his love for fantastical creatures.
Early life ...
with art by Ramón F. Bachs and published on 29 January 2003. The story begins shortly after the events of '' Episode I – The Phantom Menace'', with long flashbacks to earlier periods.
26 years before the events of ''The Phantom Menace'', the Mandalorians split into two factions: the barbaric Death Watch, led by Tor Vizsla, and the True Mandalorians, honorable mercenaries led by Jaster Mereel. The two factions battle on Jango's homeworld of Concord Dawn. Jango's family helps Jaster, inciting Vizsla and his men to kill them. A young Jango is the only survivor and, while horrified, helps Jaster and his men escape and ambush Death Watch. Jaster subsequently adopts Jango and welcomes him into his faction.
Years later, Jango has become a full-fledged Mandalorian warrior under Jaster's tutelage. The Mandalorians are ambushed by Death Watch, and Jaster is killed by Vizsla. Sporting Jaster's armor, Jango becomes the new leader of the True Mandalorians. A Jedi strike force led by then-Jedi Master Count Dooku slays Jango's warriors. Jango retaliates and kills several Jedi without any weapons before ultimately being defeated and sold into slavery to the planet's governor. Jango later escapes, attacks Death Watch and kills Vizsla, before beginning pursuing a career as a bounty hunter.
Dooku, now a Sith Lord, on the orders of his master, Darth Sidious, pits the most notorious mercenaries of the galaxy against each other in order to select a genetic template for an army of clones. Remembering Jango from their previous encounter and impressed by Jango's unarmed killing of several Jedi, Dooku seeks out Fett. Fett emerges victorious and in a tense meeting with Dooku, requests one thing in return for donating his DNA: an unmodified clone to be his son and apprentice.
In popular culture
Pop culture website
IGN
''IGN'' is an American video gaming and entertainment media website operated by IGN Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, Inc. The company's headquarters is located in San Francisco's SoMa district and is headed by its former e ...
named Jango Fett as the 30th greatest ''Star Wars'' character in their Top 100 countdown, citing his calm, effective demeanor and prowess in combat, despite not possessing a connection with
the Force
The Force is a Metaphysics, metaphysical, mysterious, and Energy (esotericism), ubiquitous power in the ''Star Wars'' Universe of Star Wars, fictional universe. Characters refer to the Force as an energy that interconnects all things in the univer ...
Twitter
Twitter, officially known as X since 2023, is an American microblogging and social networking service. It is one of the world's largest social media platforms and one of the most-visited websites. Users can share short text messages, image ...
to a positive critical reception. The comic explores Jango's relationship with Zam Wesell, simultaneous with the events of ''Attack of the Clones''.
See also
*
Space Western
Space Western is a subgenre of science fiction that uses the themes and tropes of Western (genre), Westerns within science-fiction stories in an outer space setting. Subtle influences may include Deep space exploration, exploration of new, law ...
IMDb
IMDb, historically known as the Internet Movie Database, is an online database of information related to films, television series, podcasts, home videos, video games, and streaming content online – including cast, production crew and biograp ...