Star Wars Episode VIII

Star Wars Episode VIII (8) is scheduled to be directed and written by Rian Johnson.

Note that if Boba Fett were to make an appearance, he would have been 66 in “The Force Awakens,” so possibly 67 or 68 in this untitled film that’s yet to have a timeline date.

SPOILERS AHEAD

This exclusive “Fett Fact Check” is our own repository of what we learn, when we learn it. We’re both logging and analyzing Boba Fett-specific confirmations, ambiguities, and denials — each with date and original attribution. Below are our findings, sorted from newest to oldest.

• December 15, 2017

  “The Last Jedi” has officially premiered worldwide. Boba Fett is not in the film. The character of “D.J.,” rumored briefly to be a “Fett,” is definitely not related at all. Maz wears and uses a jetpack, which is the only reference to anything Fett/Mandalorian.

• November 9, 2017

  According to an official Disney shareholder phone call, Rian Johnson is not only coming back for more Star Wars, but will be helming a brand-new Star Wars trilogy. We’ve yet to even see “The Last Jedi,” and they’re banking on him for three more. Given the director’s past films, they’re looking to be in good hands, but we shall see. No characters or era announced for the trilogy, but it may be safe to say that it would not be about the Skywalker family.

• February 18, 2017

  Benicio del Toro’s character name has not been officially revealed, but a new rumor circulating says it’s “Vicrum Fett.” We found the source of the news (a YouTube vlogger) and their source (a spin-off Wikipedia). We found half of the story and debunked what stood out as strange. We reported it in “Benicio del Toro’s ‘Last Jedi’ Character Still Not Confirmed, Despite ‘Vicrum Fett’ Rumor.”

• January 23, 2017

  According to an official announcement on StarWars.com, the name of the film is confirmed to be “The Last Jedi.”

• May 9, 2016

  Movie Creed Live claims to be the source of a rumor that Tom Hardy is being considered as Boba Fett. Other sites link to this as a legitimate rumor, even though it fails every test of legitimacy (e.g. article if full of typos, lacks attributable quotes, lacks pictures to support thesis, and so on.). Tweets of Tom Hardy as Boba Fett have been going back to 2013 and never substantiated. We believe this is purely fan fiction — don’t believe it.

• February 29, 2016

  MTV interviewed Daisy Ridley where they discuss how Episode VIII takes place right after Episode VII. This would mean the plausible age for Boba Fett would be the same 66 as we guessed for Episode VII, making him not too old to make an appearance — if at all.

• February 15, 2016

  Laura Dern (“Jurassic Park”) is confirmed today by Lucasfilm to be in Episode VIII. Benicio Del Toro (“Guardians of the Galaxy”) and Kelly Marie Tran is also confirmed according to an official announcement on StarWars.com.

• January 20, 2016

  According to an official announcement on StarWars.com, the release of the film is confirmed to be December 15, 2017 now instead of a May release. (Episode VII had the same goal of a May release before it was also moved to December.)

• January 6, 2016

  Like we first reported for Episode VII, Star Wars will be shot on film. Rian Johnson, with his long-time cinematographer Steve Yedlin, confirmed this on Twitter.

• December 4, 2015

  In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Lucasfilm’s Kathleen Kennedy confirmed that Captain Phasma is returning in Episode VIII. Phasma is often referred to as “the Boba Fett of The Force Awakens” due to a mysterious appearance, limited screen time, and important side role; however, not all fans agree with this comparison after seeing Episode VII themselves.

• March 12, 2015

  Lucasfilm confirmed on StarWars.com that Rian Johnson is the director of Episode VIII.