Warning! SPOILERS for The Book of Boba Fett episode 6.
The Book of the Boba Fett finale seemingly kills Cad Bane, but is the bounty hunter really dead? Episode 6 of Boba Fett's Disney+ show featured plenty of surprising characters, but the live-action debut of Cad Bane was among the biggest. After strolling into Freetown and shooting Cobb Vanth, The Book of Boba Fett set him up to have a big role in the finale - including a reunion with Boba Fett.
Although plenty of audiences were just introduced to Cad Bane through The Book of Boba Fett episode 6, the deadly bounty hunter has a storied connection to Boba Fett already in the franchise. Cad Bane played a big role in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, where it was revealed he mentored Boba Fett following Jango's death. The relationship went sideways eventually, as a scrapped episode made it so Cad Bane was responsible for Boba Fett's helmet dent. He's more recently appeared in Star Wars: The Bad Batch too, but it was widely theorized that a live-action debut could come with The Book of Boba Fett.
Unsurprisingly, Cad Bane did return in The Book of Boba Fett's finale and get a chance to reunite with Boba Fett. The two bounty hunters crossed paths twice in the episode, with the second meeting proving to be much more exciting. They began dueling as Cad Bane got the early advantage with his quick shooting, but Boba Fett eventually recovered. In a shocking move, the fight ended with Boba plunging his Tusken Raider-made weapon into Cad's chest. The Book of Boba Fett's finale plays this as Cad Bane's death, but there could be more to the story.
Is Cad Bane Really Dead After The Book Of Boba Fett Finale?
Cad Bane getting stabbed in the chest by Boba Fett seems like a very definitive end for the bounty hunter, but The Book of Boba Fett leaves some doubt about his death. As the camera hovers over Cad Bane's body in what appears to be his final moments, a red light is blinking repeatedly. The series even includes the blinking sound to draw more attention to this. However, instead of staying with the bounty hunter until the blinking stops, The Book of Boba Fett's finale cuts away. This leaves plenty of wiggle room for the show to add a new twist to Cad Bane's Star Wars future. That said, it is just as possible that Cad Bane really did die at the hand of Boba Fett in the episode.
How Cad Bane Could Still Return In Star Wars
There are a few different ways Cad Bane can return in future Star Wars projects. In terms of his possible survival, The Book of Boba Fett season 2 could reveal Cad Bane spends time in a bacta tank (like Boba Fett) or gains cybernetic enhancements (like Fennec Shand) to remain alive. This would allow the bounty hunter to return in the second season or The Mandalorian season 3 potentially and be part of their main storylines. His survival could even send Cobb Vanth off Tatooine to get revenge.
If Cad Bane did die in The Book of Boba Fett's finale, he can still return in a second season or other adjacent projects through flashbacks. This could be how Star Wars fleshes out more of Cad Bane and Boba Fett's relationship. He is also still alive when other live-action shows like Obi-Wan Kenobi and Andor are set, so more live-action appearances could come that way without changing his The Book of Boba Fett death. Meanwhile, the bounty hunter might also have a home with more animation appearances, such as in Star Wars: The Bad Batch season 2. Since he originated in the animated side of the franchise, it makes sense that he'll continue to be involved there.