Jango Fett's Grievance: Unveiling the Root of His Hatred for the Jedi

Jango Fett had a complex relationship with the Jedi long before the prequel Star Wars trilogy. However, fans are often unaware of the origins and motivations behind his drastic actions. Superficially, Jango (Temuera Morrison) appeared to be just another minor villain. He struck a deal with the Sith to seek vengeance against the Jedi, disregarding the lives of the countless clones he sacrificed. Jango even played a significant role in silencing Zam Wesell (Leeanna Walsman), who failed in her attempt to assassinate Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman) in Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones. While the senator could have defended herself, this incident led Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) to pursue Jango, eventually discovering the clone army on Kamino.

However, like any captivating character, there were intricate layers to Jango's actions, rooted in past traumas and conflicts between Mandalorians and Jedi. This does not excuse his actions, but it does shed light on why his determination to oppose the Jedi rivaled that of Dark Side figures such as Darth Maul and Chancellor Palpatine.

The Mandalorian Civil War

Jango's childhood on Mandalore was filled with conflict and strife, although it was never shown in the Star Wars movies. Satine Kryze led the New Mandalorians in rejecting the old warrior culture of the True Mandalorians, promoting a peaceful way of life. In an effort to support Satine, the Jedi Council sent Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon Jinn to protect her. Jango and many other True Mandalorians were exiled to Concord Dawn for refusing to abandon their warrior customs.

After his mentor Jaster Mereel's departure, Jango briefly assumed leadership of the True Mandalorians. However, a misunderstanding led to Master Dooku and a Jedi task force mistakenly believing that the True Mandalorians were slaughtering innocents. The Battle of Galidraan ensued, pitting the Mandalorians against the Jedi, resulting in devastating losses. While half of the 20 Jedi warriors were killed, over 300 True Mandalorians perished, leaving Jango as the sole survivor. Given these events, it is understandable why Jango held a strong grudge against the Jedi.

Jango Fett the Bounty Hunter

In the Marvel comic series Star Wars: Age of Republic, Jango once told his ‘son’ Boba:

“We aren't born with our reputations. We have to earn them.”

Jango embodied these principles and gained recognition as one of the most accomplished bounty hunters in the galaxy. He obtained his distinctive Mandalorian armor during the Mandalorian Civil Wars before the conflict between Mandalorians and Jedi took place. Through collaborations with beloved characters from Star Wars like Hondo Ohnaka and the infamous bounty hunter Cad Bane, he solidified his reputation.

Jango possessed exceptional speed, strength, and intelligence, coupled with an unwavering determination to complete any task at hand. If he made a commitment, he would follow through, provided the agreed-upon payment was received. Additionally, Jango had a keen eye for seizing advantageous opportunities. In one instance, he boldly hijacked a Firespray-31 starship, which he famously christened Slave 1. The reasoning behind this name remains a mystery, as Jango operated solely according to his own moral compass. It was a solitary path, focused solely on pursuing the next job. However, everything changed when the Sith became involved.

Making Deals With the Sith

The video game Star Wars: Bounty Hunter portrayed Jango's recruitment by Sith Master Darth Tyranus, also known as Count Dooku. Initially, as a Jedi Master, Dooku collaborated with his apprentice Komari Vosa in eliminating the True Mandalorians. However, Count Dooku later used his former fallen apprentice as a lure for Jango by offering a bounty on her head. This enticed the bounty hunter into a deal where he agreed to serve as the basis for a clone army.

In return, he requested 20 million credits and an unmodified clone to be his own, his son Boba Fett. The irony lies in Jango's willingness to ally with the very person responsible for the Mandalorian-Jedi conflict that resulted in the deaths of many of his people. It becomes even more peculiar when considering that his animosity towards the Jedi fueled his initial plot against them. Yet, in the Star Wars universe, numerous characters have forged unusual alliances driven by love and wealth.

Clone Troopers

Making a deal with a Sith is often considered morally wrong. Throughout the Star Wars series, anyone who aligns themselves with the Sith is typically portrayed as a villain. The situation becomes even more troubling when this agreement involves the creation of an army of soldiers who are forced into a war they did not choose to fight. When Obi-Wan discovered them on Kamino in Attack of the Clones, their numbers had reached the thousands, and they were under the impression that they would be serving the Jedi. However, Jango had secretly agreed to use them as a hidden weapon against the Jedi, to be deployed when the time was right.

However, it is unfortunate that Jango did not view all the clones as his own sons. Instead, he saw them as mere cannon fodder – a means to an end. He saw them as a source of financial gain. Despite playing a significant role in their early training, it is questionable whether he even saw them as human beings. More significantly, he saw them as a way to exact revenge on the Jedi for their involvement in the Battle of Galidraan. Jango wanted them to suffer the consequences of the Mandalorian-Jedi conflict and was willing to exploit the clones to achieve his goal.

Jango was notorious in the Star Wars universe for his ruthless nature. He was a force to be reckoned with, showing no mercy and taking no prisoners. His partnership with Boba meant that bringing someone in dead resulted in a greater reward. However, his deep-seated resentment towards the Jedi clouded his judgment. Tragically, this led to dire consequences for an entire army of clones, who were innocently caught in the middle of the Mandalorian-Jedi conflict.

The clones played a vital role in the Jedi's downfall in Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith. Jango held a deep hatred towards the Jedi, fueled by what they had taken from him. His resentment might have stemmed from their ability to go back to a home after helping the New Mandalorians seize his own. Regardless of the motive, his intense animosity towards the Jedi made him a crucial part of Palpatine’s intricate plan to exterminate them. He effectively altered the course of the Jedi's presence in the Star Wars universe, only to meet his demise at the hands of Jedi Master Mace Windu during the violent Battle of Geonosis.