The Book of Boba Fett is a gripping exploration of one of the most enigmatic characters in the Star Wars universe, and as the newest crimelord on Tatooine, ex-bounty hunter Boba Fett is reshaping his narrative and building an empire. As is typical with any Star Wars production, there are a lot of moving parts that go into creating the world he inhabits and expanding its lore.
From set secrets about stunts and props to the guiding principles behind Temuera Morrison's nuanced performance and Ming-Na Wen's perspective of going from Star Wars-obsessed fan to becoming one of the most beloved characters in the franchise, there are tons of fascinating behind-the-scenes facts for fans to uncover.
The Backgrounds Are Projected Onto 20 Foot Tall LED Walls
Much like on The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett uses 20-foot tall LED walls instead of green screen or blue screen interiors, according to Comic Book. Called "The Volume," these walls can project any location or background a scene requires and prevents the film crew from having to travel to real locations.
This method is much more dynamic for the performers who, instead of having to act in front of green or blue screens, actually have something they can see and respond to. Morrison has the chance to experience the difference between acting with green and blue screen technology, as he did in the prequel trilogy, and the new LED walls and might discover it to be less challenging than his prequel costar Ewan McGregor who's filming Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Temuera Morrison Brought His Heritage To Boba Fett
A section of the series honors the culture of the Tusken Raiders, who are depicted as intelligent, resourceful people with ancestral ties to the deserts of Tatooine. Temuera Morrison drew on his Māori heritage to imbue Boba Fett with a warrior spirit after his time living among the sand people for several years.
Growing up in New Zealand and learning the haka warrior's dance was pivotal in forming Morrison's sense of reverence for his own culture, and he brings that same energy to Boba Fett. There's even a version of the haka performed by Fett and the Tusken Raiders who have accepted him into their tribe, providing even more lore for a mysterious species while illuminating important aspects of Boba Fett's journey to forge a new identity.
Those Dog Droids Exist
In the first episode, Boba Fett and Fennec Shand pay a visit to Mos Espa and several four-legged droids can be seen walking the streets, resembling some sort of robotic dog. These weren't fabricated for the series by the prop department but actually exist in real life.
They're the "Spot" robots created by Boston Dynamics with a little customized paneling, continuing the Star Wars tradition of using found objects and altering them to fit the universe (Luke Skywalker's lightsaber hilt was originally the handle of a vintage flashbulb camera attachment).
Ming Na-Wen Didn't Even Have To Audition
Just as Boba Fett's story has been broadened with the series, so too has Fennec Shand's. By fulfilling her life debt to Boba Fett, Shand's character has been given a richer backstory, which has also revealed more about her personality.
In Michael Rosenbaum's podcast Inside of You, Ming-Na Wen shared that she's been a Star Wars fan "ever since the original movie came out," and she feels very fortunate to have the opportunity to play such a beloved character without ever having had to audition for the role. Thanks to being a superfan, a chance meeting with director Deborah Chow, and being in the right place at the right time, Wen has built a solid foundation for Shand and carries a sense of obligation to do the character right by fellow fans.
The Stars Love Working In The Iconic Sets
Tatooine is one of the most well-known locations in the entire Star Wars franchise, and fans have been delighted revisiting familiar places like Mos Eisley, Mos Espa, Tosche Station, and Beggars Canyon. But one of the most impressive sets — where most of the action takes place — has to be Jabba's Palace, specifically his throne room.
Speaking with IMDb on the Scene, both Wen and Morrison can't seem to get over what it's like to spend so much time in Jabba's Palace, a truly iconic location in the Star Wars universe. It's not surprising given how meticulously every detail from Return of the Jedi has been recreated.
Temuera Morrison's Stand-In Performed Several Voices
Actors in the Star Wars universe often have to perform scenes with creatures and characters who are completely computer-generated, which can present some difficulty given that there isn't anyone to react to. For the scene with Jabba's cousins, the Twins, a cardboard cut out of the pair of Hutts was placed on the litter that the extras carry.
In an interview with TV Line, Morrison explained that in that particular scene with Fett and the Twins, his stand-in (referred to as "Jimmy") performed the voices so that he had someone to act against.
Temuera Morrison and Ming-Na Wen Perform A Lot Of Their Own Stunts
While the series at times favors a slow-burn approach, there are also plenty of thrilling actions sequences peppered through each episode. Many of them involve intense choreographed fight scenes with Morrison and Wen, and both of the actors perform a majority of their own stunts when it comes to hand-to-hand combat.
"Ming-Na was very good at all the martial arts stuff," Morrison gushed. Fennec Shand and Boba Fett are both highly skilled warriors, and in order to properly convey that, it's always better when the actors can convince the audience of their fighting prowess.
Temuera Morrison Worked Hard To Get Back Into Fighting Shape
Boba Fett had to work at getting healthy following his wrestle with the Sarlacc, and Morrison knew that when it came to showing Fett fully healed he needed to do his progress justice. At 60 years old, Morrison is in incredible shape, and he brings brutality to the character through blunt force and an exacting way of fighting, courtesy of his time with the sand people.
Speaking with The Project from Los Angeles when he was filming The Book of Boba Fett, Morrison took the hosts on a virtual tour of his home gym. From every weight imaginable to a variety of weapons, he showed what components he used to keep himself in fighting shape daily. A grueling day of filming was required for just a few minutes of action on the screen, but Morrison kept himself prepared and provided a particularly impressive physicality to the role of Boba Fett.
Temuera Morrison Relied On The Crew For Info About Boba Fett
Morrison made his debut in the Star Wars franchise over twenty years ago when he played Boba Fett's father, Jango Fett, in Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, but his role is much bigger playing Boba Fett and he brings a lot more experience in films and television to his character.
"Back then I didn't know what I was doing. I was having too much fun in the armor," he told Entertainment Weekly. His approach is more disciplined now, and he's taking the role of Boba Fett seriously. So seriously, in fact, he consults members of the crew that keep abreast of Boba Fett comic books, novels, and other forms of media featuring the bounty hunter. His dedication and commitment clearly show in his nuanced performance.
Mayor Mok Shaiz Is An Animatronic
Much like The Mandalorian, practical effects were used whenever possible to lend an air of authenticity. The Mayor of Mos Espa, Mok Shaiz, is actually a combination of prosthetics and animatronics that make the Ithorian politician look very real.
In the same interview with Entertainment Weekly, both Morrison and Wen discuss some of the work that went into creating his character and express their deep respect for the prop department. One of the strengths of the Star Wars franchise has always been its ability to make a space fantasy seem like a reality.