We’ve seen Boba Fett show down with Luke Skywalker and Han Solo, as well as team up with Darth Vader and The Mandalorian. But did you ever think you’d see him fight Vader before he was Vader? That happened in a scene originally made for, but never aired on, Star Wars: The Clone Wars. It was played this week at Star Wars Celebration Japan.
During the 20th anniversary animation panel (which included that reveal of the new Darth Maul show and more) Clone Wars co-creator turned Lucasfilm chief creative officer Dave Filoni unearthed the footage, which was set to air in a run of episodes that would’ve featured Cad Bane training Boba Fett. The idea, according to Filoni, was that Jango Fett was Boba’s “good” father but, after he died, Cad became his “bad” father. The clip began with Cad Bane observing from a distance as Boba Fett started to fly through the streets of Coruscant, with a certain Jedi on his tail.
It’s Anakin Skywalker in full Clone Wars Jedi outfit riding a speeder bike. Boba is flying through traffic as Anakin pursues, firing at the bounty hunter. Boba spins and dodges Anakin’s blasts, then turns around and shoots flames at him. This slows Anakin down a bit but distracts Boba, who is hit by one of the many vehicles flying through the streets. He crashes to the ground.
Anakin hasn’t seen this, though, so as he’s about to fly by, Boba shoots down his bike. A melee ensues. Boba Fett uses his harpoon to tie up Anakin’s legs and trip him. While the Jedi is on the ground, Boba fires his blaster, but Anakin uses his lightsaber to deflect the blasts. He then pushes Boba away, who seemingly falls off a ledge. Anakin walks over to see if he’s dead and then Boba flies up and away.
Skywalker calls Mace Windu via hologram and asks him how he’s doing. The Jedi Master was hurt but says he’ll be fine and asks Anakin if he caught the assassins. He didn’t, Anakin said, but it was a bounty hunter. One he’s not familiar with.
So, did this actually happen in canon then? Probably not, since it never actually aired. But it was an exciting action scene between two baddies who, later, would team up to freeze a certain smuggler in carbonite.
Additional reporting by James Whitbrook
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
