Newsblast Archive Dateline: May 1, 2000

Remember how much you like Boba Fett? He's pretty cool, right? And everybody digs him. Well, bend over.

On the official Star Wars website, Boba Fett fans get a spanking.

Boba Fett will be in Episode 2. A Lucasfilm employee said:

"My advice: Forget everything you knew, or thought you knew about the origins of Boba Fett. While none of us have seen a script of Episode II or have an idea of the direction in which George Lucas is taking the character, it's fairly safe to say that he won't be held to any of the back stories that have arisen over the years.

"If there is any hint of Fett's beginnings, it will be all George. At the same time, what you've read to this point was probably misinformation anyhow. That is why the Star Wars Encyclopedia states: "Many tales are told of his background and exploits, but there are very few verifiable facts, perhaps by design."

Then the guy breaks down all of Fett's comic book appearances in Dark Horse and Marvel. Then he says, "As many fans know, when it comes to Star Wars knowledge, there are degrees of 'canon.' The only true canon are the films themselves."

Wait. Do you mean I can forget the ysalamiri, Luuke, and Thrawn? Thank you, Lucasfilm! Thank you!

"For years, Lucas Books has stayed clear of characters, events, or the timeframe that George might want to deal with in the Star Wars prequels. While such things as the Clone Wars, the fall of the Jedi, and Palpatine's rise to power were on that list, Boba Fett wasn't considered to be of major concern."

What?! You look here, missy!

"Of course, like any great storyteller, George . . . "

Can I be excused?