Jango Fett is one of the most iconic and influential characters in the Star Wars galaxy. Portrayed by actor Temuera Morrison, Jango is renowned for his skills, his deadly efficiency, and his legacy, which profoundly shaped the galaxy’s future. Often seen as the pinnacle of bounty hunting, Jango’s life is tied not only to his career but also to his impact on the galaxy, from his role in the Clone Wars to his part in the creation of the Galactic Empire.
Early Life and Rise to Infamy
Jango Fett’s story begins on the Outer Rim planet of Concord Dawn, a world ravaged by violence and conflict. His early life was marred by tragedy when his family was killed during a civil war. Left an orphan, Jango was taken in by Mandalorian warriors who saw his potential. Trained in the Mandalorian ways, Jango rose quickly through their ranks, showcasing his natural skills in combat and strategy.
Over time, Jango separated from the Mandalorians, pursuing a career as a bounty hunter. His unmatched skills and relentless drive soon earned him a reputation as one of the most formidable bounty hunters in the galaxy. Jango’s skill set was vast, ranging from hand-to-hand combat to weapons mastery. He was equipped with advanced Mandalorian armor, complete with a jetpack, blasters, and various gadgets designed for deadly efficiency. His prowess was unmatched, making him a sought-after mercenary for powerful entities.
The Prime Clone and Kamino
One of the most significant moments in Jango Fett’s life occurred when he was approached by the Sith Lord Darth Tyranus, also known as Count Dooku. Dooku offered Jango a massive sum of credits to serve as the genetic template for the Republic’s clone army. This moment marked a pivotal shift in the galaxy’s history.
Jango agreed to the deal under one condition: he wanted an unaltered clone for himself, which he would raise as his son. This clone was Boba Fett, who would go on to inherit Jango’s armor, skills, and reputation. Jango’s decision to create a personal clone cemented his legacy in a way few could have predicted, as Boba would become one of the most feared bounty hunters in the galaxy.
On the oceanic planet Kamino, Jango worked closely with the cloners, providing them with his genetic material and combat expertise to train the newly created clones. The Kaminoans admired Jango’s abilities, and the clone troopers produced from his DNA would go on to fight in the Clone Wars, which drastically altered the future of the galaxy.
Jango maintained a close relationship with Boba, training him in the ways of combat and bounty hunting. In Boba, Jango saw not only a legacy but also a continuation of his life’s work.
The Conflict with Obi-Wan Kenobi
Jango Fett’s path crossed with that of Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi during the events of Star Wars: Attack of the Clones. Sent by the Jedi Council to investigate the creation of the clone army, Obi-Wan traveled to Kamino, where he encountered Jango.
The resulting confrontation between Jango and Obi-Wan was a showcase of Jango’s abilities. Using his Mandalorian armor, jetpack, and blasters, Jango held his own against the Jedi, evading capture and ultimately fleeing Kamino. His skill in facing off against a Jedi Knight demonstrated why he was chosen as the prime clone and the elite bounty hunter of the galaxy. However, this encounter with Obi-Wan would set off a chain of events that would lead to Jango’s eventual demise.
The Battle of Geonosis
Jango’s story reached its climax during the Battle of Geonosis, the event that triggered the start of the Clone Wars. This battle pitted the Separatist forces, led by Count Dooku, against the newly created Grand Army of the Republic, made up entirely of Jango’s clones. As one of Dooku’s key allies, Jango played a vital role in the battle.
Jango’s downfall came at the hands of Jedi Master Mace Windu. During the chaos of the battle, Jango, armed with his Mandalorian armor and dual WESTAR-34 blaster pistols, engaged Mace Windu in combat. Despite Jango’s formidable skills, the battle took a turn when his jetpack malfunctioned, leaving him vulnerable. Mace Windu took advantage of this moment, decapitating Jango with his purple-bladed lightsaber.
Jango’s death on the battlefield marked the end of an era for the bounty hunter, but his legacy lived on through his clone son, Boba Fett, who witnessed his father’s death and would go on to carry on the Fett name with infamy.
Legacy of Jango Fett
While Jango Fett’s life was cut short, his legacy permeates the Star Wars universe in profound ways. First, his genetic material served as the foundation for the clone army, which played a crucial role in the Clone Wars. Every clone trooper bore Jango’s face and skills, and many of them looked up to him as a father figure, even though their existence was molded for war.
Beyond the clone army, Jango’s influence is perhaps most notable in his son, Boba Fett. Boba inherited not only Jango’s Mandalorian armor but also his bounty-hunting skills and ruthlessness. The iconic armor, with its distinctive T-shaped visor, became synonymous with the Fett name, symbolizing both the fearsome reputation of Jango and Boba. After Jango’s death, Boba took up his father’s mantle, becoming one of the galaxy’s most feared bounty hunters.
