The first episode of The Book of Boba Fett arrived on Disney+ today, and while it was definitely a slow burn, there were at least a few intriguing hints about what's to come over the next six weeks.
In one of the most noteworthy moments of this first chapter, we learned that Mos Espa's mayor neither saw the need to visit "Lord Fett" in person nor pay tribute to him. In fact, they wanted a tribute from the newly crowned crimelord, and after an assassination attempt in the episode's final act, we have a feeling that this mysterious mayor is, in fact, the show's big bad.
It's possible that plot thread won't lead anywhere or the character might even be an original one, but we have some ideas about who is ruling over Mos Espa, and yes, they're all familiar faces from the past. However, we definitely don't think you'll expect to see the names listed in this feature.
To take a look through these predictions, all you need to do is click on the "Next" button below!
5. Tessek
We've met a few Quarrens in these Disney+ TV shows, but Tessek was one of the first to grace the green. First appearing in Return of the Jedi, he was Jabba the Hutt's accountant and someone who enjoyed the decadent atmosphere of his master's palace.
However, he also embezzled a lot of Jabba's money and ultimately paid the price for that after the Hutt's death. Managing to escape the destruction of the villains' Skiff after he was killed by Leia Organa, Tessek was confronted by a group of B'omarr monks who forcibly removed his brain and placed it inside a BT-16 perimeter droid. That's in the Expanded Universe canon, anyway.
Lucasfilm can ignore that last part and reveal that Tessek used his stolen wealth to rise up the ranks of Mos Espa and become the city's mayor. Arrogant enough to betray Jabba, he could easily fit the bill as a wannabe gangster disinterested in paying any sort of tribute to the bounty hunter who took his and Bib Fortuna's place as Tatooine's supposed crimelord.
4. Rotta The Hutt
Rotta was introduced as Jabba the Hutt's son in The Clone Wars, and despite obviously being very young, there has been plenty of time for the Hutt to grow up since we last saw him.
While he probably lacked the maturity and respect needed to pick up where his father left off, being installed as Mos Espa's mayor by Jabba or Bib Fortuna makes perfect sense. It would lend the criminals some legitimacy and simply serves to cement the influence of the Hutts on Tatooine. We also find it easy to imagine Rotta being arrogant enough to expect a tribute from Boba Fett!
This would be a fun way to build on Jabba's legacy, and could see The Book of Boba Fett take us to some weird, unexpected places. A big part of this series appears to be the bounty hunter wanting to rule in a different way to Jabba, so why not pit him against that villain's child?
3. Qi'ra
We last saw Qi'ra heading back to Crimson Dawn leader Maul following the events of Solo: A Star Wars Story. There are a lot of gaps to fill in after that, but recent comic books have revealed that the former Sith then taught her about his past (and how to fight) before she ultimately ended up leading the group after he was killed by Obi-Wan Kenobi on the sand dunes of Tatooine.
Recent comic books have revealed more about Crimson Dawn under Qi'ra's leadership, but that's prior to the events of Return of the Jedi. The Book of Boba Fett could quite easily reveal that Hal Solo's former flame now resides on Tatooine, using what little power she had left after the fall of that criminal organisation to secure herself a comfortable spot ruling over Mos Espa.
Emilia Clarke reprising this role in the series would be awesome. It's probably unlikely, but if we're going to make at least one bold prediction in this feature, then it's that Qi'ra is the mayor.
2. Sebulba
Despite being only a small part of The Phantom Menace, Sebulba really struck a chord with Star Wars fans. Whether it's his unique appearance or that striking podracer, the rival to Anakin Skywalker was one who made a real impact...and could do so again in this new Disney+ TV series.
Sebulba would obviously be a lot older at this point in the timeline, but that means enough time has passed for him to have gone from star podracer to the creature running the city those races take place in.
As well as attempting to kill a child during his first appearance, it was quickly established that the Dug was a shady, nasty character. The thugs tearing apart that homestead are likely to be exactly the sort of people he'd have patrolling Tatooine to help establish his dominance over the planet, especially as Sebulba himself is not exactly going to be a physical threat to someone like Fett.
1. Cobb Vanth
We're not 100% sure about this one, but bear with us. The sheriff of Mos Pelgo was definitely a good guy, which might explain why Boba Fett never chose to take his armour back (before Din Djarin returned to Tatooine and demanded it be given to him to return to his fellow Mandalorians). However, after a successful defence of his homestead, what if Cobb Vanth is now Mos Espa's mayor?
While it appears that character is a villainous one, that could quite easily be a case of misdirection meant to make us think that the city's leader is behind the bad luck befalling Boba Fett and his rule.
We're not sure why Vanth's right hand would expect a tribute from Fett, but it's possible the Marshal has gotten a little too big-headed after helping Din defeat that massive Krayt dragon. The character returning in The Book of Boba Fett seems likely, but whether it will be in this role remains to be seen.