Star Wars has always had some of the most iconic characters of all time. From Darth Vader to Kylo Ren and General Palpatine, there has been a wide range of characters who perfectly contrast the heroes standing before them. Whether it is in front of Luke Skywalker or anyone else, their twisted mirror images become more and more interesting to watch as the franchise progresses.
One of the oldest of the lost, Boba Fett, who even George Lucas regards as one of the most significant, had been inspired by a legendary yet unexpected actor. Clint Eastwood, a respected actor and an even more skilled filmmaker became the real inspiration behind the antagonist. Especially Eastwood as the Man with No Name in the Dollars trilogy.
Clint Eastwood Inspired Boba Fett in Star Wars
George Lucas (via CBR) expressed how Darth Vader’s design evolved the more he progressed. What first started out as a bounty hunter soon became a menacing-looking being worthy of knighthood. While the final design is what fans came to see as the big bad, the initial idea was not abandoned.
“He is also very much like the man-with-no name from the Sergio Leone Westerns.”
Boba Fett came into being with the masterful idea of seeing the antagonist out in the deserts hunting his prey mercilessly and with purpose. Clint Eastwood’s Man with No Name came into mind when referencing such a character.
The iconic character from the Dollars series still poses as one of the finest movies defining classic Western films and that was the theme Lucas also wanted to incorporate into his franchise.
Boba Fett as Darth Vader the Bounty Hunter
Clint Eastwood has often been inspirational towards other franchises and movies. So to see his character holding such a strong grasp on a villain such as Boba Fett is what makes his status as legendary even more worthy.
“I wanted to develop an essentially evil character that was frightening. Darth Vader started as a kind of intergalactic bounty hunter in a space suit and evolved into a more grotesque knight as I got more into knights and the codes of everything. The Boba Fett character is really an early version of Darth Vader.”
George Lucas had seen Darth Vader as some sort of a bounty hunter. The idea that started out was much different from the final outcome. However, the remnants of it became what fans now proudly recognize as Boba Fett.
Taking inspiration from Clint Eastwood’s character and merging him into a space-traveling bounty hunter created a combination no one knew they needed.
