Boba Fett's return confirms Mandalorian fan theory

Boba Fett The Mandalorian
(Image credit: Disney)

Boba Fett has returned in The Mandalorian season 2. Twice. Once in the premiere overlooking the binary suns on Tatooine and, latterly, in Chapter 14 on Tython. But we now have confirmation that we saw him long before then, in what feels like several decades ago in 2019.

2020 has been, well, quite something. So let’s rewind a little to last December. In The Mandalorian’s fifth-ever episode, Mando is tasked with aiding a young bounty hunter in his pursuit of the mercenary Fennec Shand on Tatooine – the same planet he returns to in The Mandalorian season 2 premiere. 

Of course, with Din Djarin being involved, things inevitably go sideways. A stand-off ends with Shand and, later, the young bounty hunter presumably killed. At the episode’s end, a mysterious figure is seen standing over Shand’s body.

The Mandalorian Boba Fett

(Image credit: Disney)

As a returning Shand reveals, the person standing over her (and fixing her back up after being left for dead on the dunes) was Boba Fett. It's a twist that has been telegraphed for some time and speculated upon on social media. Boba's choice of attire in the season 2 premiere also tipped us off to the identity of the cloaked figure helping Shand out. 

Now, we have confirmation. Most importantly, it's proof that creator Jon Favreau is most certainly leaving breadcrumbs all over the place for us to follow in a galaxy far, far away. Where will the seeds be sown next?

Find out when the next episode drops with our guide to The Mandalorian season 2 release schedule.

Bradley Russell

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at 12DOVE, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.