Star Wars enthusiasts often pride themselves on their extensive knowledge of trivia from a galaxy far, far away. However, the revelation of Boba Fett’s initial appearance in the franchise might surprise even the most dedicated fans. Contrary to expectations, it wasn’t in the iconic Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back or the 1978 animated feature, The Star Wars Holiday Special. In fact, Boba Fett made his debut in an unexpected setting – a parade on September 24, 1978, prior to the widespread obsession with watching the Star Wars movies in chronological order.
While Stormtroopers typically strut their stuff in pristine white spaceship halls, Boba Fett’s inaugural catwalk was the streets of San Francisco during the San Anselmo Country Fair parade. Accompanied by none other than the formidable Darth Vader, this early appearance hinted at the future dynamic between these two iconic characters in subsequent films. However, the man beneath the bounty hunter’s armor during the parade was not the eventual Boba Fett actor but, at the time, assistant film editor Duwayne Dunham.
In a candid interview with starwars.com, Dunham revealed the unusual circumstances that led to him donning the Boba Fett suit. “The only reason I ever put that uniform on is because I was the right size. When the guys brought it over from England, George [Lucas] said, ‘Put it on.’ Then it got aged up to George’s liking… I don’t even know how it came about, but someone thought with the movie coming up that the parade would be a good idea.”
Despite the excitement surrounding the character, the experience of being in the costume proved challenging. Dunham recalled, “It was incredibly hot. I’m not just talking about the suit; I’m saying that day in San Anselmo was really hot. It could have been 100 degrees.” He humorously added, “I think we were at the head of the parade. And Vader, he stands out. I don’t know what people thought of me. Nobody knew about Boba Fett at that point. The two of us were about to die at that point. Sweat was just pouring [Laughs]. I remember telling [producer] Gary Kurtz: ‘Gary, I gotta get out of this suit or I’m going to pass out!’ We were drenched.”
Despite the challenges, Dunham, who later directed episodes of The Clone Wars animated series, looks back fondly at Boba Fett’s evolution. “Everybody had high, high hopes because Boba was such a cool-looking costume. Outside of Vader, it was the best.” He expressed optimism that Boba Fett would join the ranks of the most beloved Star Wars characters. However, the fate of Boba Fett took an unexpected turn with the release of Return of the Jedi, as Dunham recalled, “But for some reason, it just didn’t pan out as George had imagined, and then came Jedi, it was ‘throw him in the Sarlaac pit!'”
Despite initial protests against Boba Fett’s demise, the character has endured in the hearts of fans. The legacy of this bounty hunter extends beyond his cinematic appearances, from parades to movies, comic books, and his significant role in Dave Filoni’s Star Wars universe. Even with a less-than-stellar solo venture in the Star Wars series, Boba Fett has cemented his place in the franchise’s lore, leaving fans eagerly anticipating what the future holds, such as the possibility of The Book of Boba Fett Season 2. From his humble parade beginnings to his enduring presence, Boba Fett remains a captivating and enduring figure in the Star Wars universe.
