Unleashing the Dark Side: Boba Fett Spinoff's Cancellation Denies Star Wars' First R-Rated Movie

Content: James Mangold confirmed that the canceled Boba Fett movie would have been Disney's first R-rated film in the Star Wars franchise. Although Mangold did not work on the project, he has previously collaborated with Lucasfilm on other films. Recently, he directed Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and was also involved in the planned "Dawn of the Jedi" film announced at Star Wars Celebration 2023.

During a press junket for Indiana Jones 5, Mangold shared on the Happy Sad Confused podcast that his Boba Fett film would have been R-rated, even before his involvement in the Dawn of the Jedi Star Wars movie. When asked about the similarity between his Boba Fett script and The Mandalorian or The Book of Boba Fett, which have successfully brought back the beloved Star Wars bounty hunter, Mangold responded with the following:

At the time, I was creating something that was pushing the boundaries, leaning towards an almost R-rated Spaghetti Western set on a single planet. However, I realized that this version wouldn't have fit in with the world I had in mind, and Baby Yoda wouldn't have been embraced by audiences. Despite that, the concept of a Boba Fett movie with this unique approach is undoubtedly exciting, and it is one of the reasons why Lucasfilm has chosen to collaborate with James Mangold for the Jedi origins of Star Wars after plans for a Boba Fett movie fell through.

The Canceled Spinoff Would've Been Better Than Book Of Boba Fett

The canceled Boba Fett movie appears to be more promising than The Book of Boba Fett. Despite enjoying The Book of Boba Fett, it is evident that the project faced issues due to its lack of focus on the main character. Boba Fett's narrative was overshadowed by the need to align with The Mandalorian universe, resulting in less screen time for Temuera Morrison's character. Luke Skywalker, Grogu, and Din Djarin's Mandalorian took center stage, while Boba Fett was left to the sidelines for extended periods.

On the other hand, the canceled film by Mangold would have potentially rectified this issue. Mangold intended to create a self-contained story set on a single planet, allowing the spotlight to remain on Boba Fett. Although Disney may have disregarded this approach and Mangold's desire for a near-R-rating, the concept was refreshing and offered a unique perspective on both Star Wars and Boba Fett. Despite the film not coming to fruition, one can hope that Mangold's upcoming project, Dawn of the Jedi, will bring a similar distinctiveness to the Star Wars franchise.

Source: Happy Sad Confused Podcast