Under the Helmet: The Legacy of Boba Fett does so much more than give us a look at the history of a character. The 22-minute documentary, which released on Disney+ today (aka, Disney+ Day), has given us the exact reason why so many have been clamoring for more Boba Fett throughout the entirety of the Star Wars franchise.
Until I watched Boba Fett’s return in The Mandalorian, I was not a die-hard fan of “The Fett.” I often wondered why there was such a fascination behind a character that didn’t have much screen time, and he didn’t seem all too successful, in my opinion from an early age. However, The Mandalorian opened my eyes to the greatness of this character and what he’s capable of on screen, while the documentary gave me a completely different appreciation on a much more emotional level.
How can Boba Fett be beloved from 6 minutes, 32 seconds of screen time?
Learning about the legendary character in Under the Helmet: The Legacy of Boba Fett was fascinating on several different levels. From the original white-armored suit and the process of its change to what was seen in The Empire Strikes Back, to Jeremy Bulloch (who portrayed Boba Fett) and what he meant to fans at conventions across the globe, this documentary shows that my early views of this longstanding character did not see the grander picture.
Boba Fett represents the living embodiment of what great characters can be. Fictional characters do not need an extensive backstory to grab hold of your attention. All that’s needed are the people involved in the creative process behind the scenes who are intertwined in a way where this kind of magical symbiosis takes place. And that’s what happened to put Boba Fett on the big screen.
In what was supposed to be one of “the empire’s upgraded stormtroopers,” budget restrictions reduced this initial goal to a focused resolution of a bounty hunter. The construction of this suit from one of the original creators highlights the attention to detail that was put in place. Then you have Boba Fett’s appearance in a local parade in 1978, walking side-by-side with Darth Vader, and that leads to a lasting impression of how characters can have wonderful meaning. The unknown provides a spark of interest, and all of these interconnected details represent why Fett has been revered over the years.
Boba Fett is so much more than the ultimate gunslinger, there’s a deep fondness for those who have played a role in this character over the past 40 years. Seeing Under the Helmet: The Legacy of Boba Fett has opened my eyes to the scope of Boba Fett’s reach, for fans and its creators. It truly is wonderful to witness this legacy and the idea that the world is about to see more in The Book of Boba Fett lets us know that 40 years has only scratched the surface of what we’re about to see. Longstanding fans have been right all this time, and seeing the behind-the-scenes look at Boba Fett has made me a fan that wishes he’d appreciated “The Fett” from much earlier on.
What are your thoughts on Under the Helmet: The Legacy of Boba Fett? Have you always been a fan of Boba Fett? Share your thoughts in the comments below.