The Book of Boba Fett: who is [SPOILER]?
A stranger emerges from the desert. Fans of «The Clone Wars» and «The Bad Batch» are jumping for joy. Everyone else is wondering what all the fuss is about. Let me explain.
Beware: This article contains spoilers for «The Book of Boba Fett» – episode 6, «The Clone Wars», and «The Bad Batch».
The suns are mercilessly beating down on the sand dunes of Mos Pelgo. Marshal Cobb Vanth looks to the horizon – towards a silhouette that’s caught his attention. The silhouette is that of a Duros. Blue skin. Red eyes. Scuffed coat. A large hat is covering his bald head. His steps are slow, stoic but determined. As if not even a raging sandstorm could steer him off his ominous course – let alone a good-for-nothing marshall asking for his name.
Him of all people, Cad Bane.
Source: Lucasfilm
The grin on the faces of «The Clone Wars» and «The Bad Batch» fans has become somewhat permanent. After all, the events are nothing short of historic. Cad Bane isn’t just any old body. Cad Bane is one of the most iconic villains in «Star Wars», albeit only in the animated series. Until now, that is. His hat is his trademark. Just like it is for his long-time hat-sporting creator, Dave Filoni. The same Dave Filoni who co-created «The Mandalorian» and «The Book of Boba Fett» as well as directing this sixth episode.
What’s that you say? You don’t know Cad Bane? No problem. That’s where I come in.
Who is Cad Bane, the stranger from the desert?
Bane’s story begins long before «The Book of Boba Fett». Even before the Clone Wars. Namely, when a still young Duros is taught how to be a bounty hunter by the best: Jango Fett, Boba Fett’s genetic father.
Cad Bane has been one of the most feared of his guild ever since. Not least because his loyalty is solely to the highest bidder – even if that means stabbing his client in the back because the victim outbids their offer. No, Bane isn’t one to follow codes of honour. Definitely not. And that’s what makes him so dangerous. Ever since Jango Fett’s death, no other bounty hunter has been able to measure up to him.
His ruthlessness is also what regularly attracts clients such as Count Dooku, Darth Maul or Darth Sidious. Especially when it comes to fighting Jedi. That’s his speciality. Cad Bane has a cybernetic breathing tube on either side of his face directly connected to his windpipe. This helps him resist Force chokes. He’s also equipped with flame-throwing gauntlets, electric shock and rocket boots, which he uses to mimic the speed of the Jedi Knights.
No question, anyone who’s gone into battle with Obi-Wan Kenobi or Anakin Skywalker and lives to tell the tale deserves some respect. And awe.
Cad Bane and Boba Fett. What’s the connection?
Will the last episode of «The Book of Boba Fett» feature a clash between the two? Probably. After all, it wouldn’t be the first time that Bane and Fett crossed paths. In fact, it is Bane who once took young Boba Fett under his wing and taught him how to hunt bounties – just as Bane was once taught by Jango Fett.
Bane’s intentions are by no means noble. It’s all about reputation for him. No matter how many Jedi Bane kills, to the galaxy, Jango will always be the best bounty hunter who ever lived. Bane is only training Jango’s clone to kill him later. This should settle once and for all that he, Cad Bane, is the best in his guild.
Indeed, there’s an epic duel at the end of the clone wars. Cad Bane on one side. Boba Fett on the other. A classic Mexican standoff. The duel ends ...
in a draw.
They shoot each other in the head. This means that both have been defeated by the other. But both survive. Fett is mainly saved by his Beskar steel helmet. The shot ricochets and leaves behind the famous dent.
Source: Lucasfilm
The duel between Bane and Fett has been screaming for a second round ever since. Especially now, 39 years later, with Bane in the service of the spice-sipping Pyke Syndicate – Boba’s declared enemies in the battle for Tatooine.
Cad Bane and Fennec Shand. What’s the connection?
Years after Boba and Bane’s duel, the ruthless bounty hunter reappears in «The Bad Batch». He comes at a time when the eponymous elite squad of genetically engineered troopers must hunt down insurgents who oppose the new Galactic Empire. And this despite the fact that they were fighting side by side with the Jedi until recently. Nothing about this is right. Things are particularly wrong when Omega, a child, enters the scene.
Omega is a genetic replica of Jango. In other words, unlike the clone army, the replica ages at a normal pace. This kind of makes her Boba Fett’s sister, who’s also a genetically unmanipulated replica of Jango. Although not confirmed, it’s hinted at in the series that Omega might be Force sensitive. This makes her valuable. It also makes her a target of numerous bounty hunters sent out to hunt her down after the Bad Batch frees them from the clutches of the Empire.
Who are two of these bounty hunters? You guessed it. Cad Bane and Fennec Shand.
There’s no clear winner in their duel either. And it’s yet to be revealed what happened to Omega. All we know is the fate of the two bounty hunters: Bane, whose head is visibly scarred by the duel with Boba, goes into hiding and only reappears decades later as a stranger in the desert. And Fennec Shand finds himself in Boba Fett’s service as his right-hand man.
As you can see, Cad Bane, Boba Fett and Fennec Shand all have unfinished business with each other. And who knows. We might even get to see Omega in the seventh and final episode of «The Book of Boba Fett».
Luca Fontana
Senior Editor
Luca.Fontana@digitecgalaxus.chI'm an outdoorsy guy and enjoy sports that push me to the limit – now that’s what I call comfort zone! But I'm also about curling up in an armchair with books about ugly intrigue and sinister kingkillers. Being an avid cinema-goer, I’ve been known to rave about film scores for hours on end. I’ve always wanted to say: «I am Groot.»
