Mini Steps: The Evolution Of The Boba Fett Minifigure

Mandalorian obsession has gripped most of Star Wars fandom over the past year thanks to the Disney+ original series, but the focus of this Mini Steps has been a fan-favorite since his appearance in Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. Let’s take a look at how LEGO has fueled the Fettish for this bounty hunter.

The first minifigure version of Boba Fett was released in 2000. He appeared in two sets that year – 7144 Slave I and 3341 Star Wars pack. He had plain arms and legs, but the torso printing was instantly recognizable. He also required a uniquely molded headgear that was a combined helmet and jetpack in one. Under the helmet was a plain black head. He would go on to be featured in 4476 Jabba’s Prize in 2003 before being replaced. 

Before we get to the replacement, we must first discuss a special variant that entered the LEGO collecting world in 2003. Found in an underwhelming set – 10123 Cloud City – for many collectors at the time, Cloud City Boba Fett was the first Star Wars minifigure to feature arm printing. Further improving upon the first iteration, he also came with printed legs and hips. This minifigure is the most expensive regular production minifigure in the Star Wars theme. For many collectors, he is considered one of the Holy Grail minifigs.

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Now back to the replacement. This Boba was similar to other minifigures we have covered before because the upgraded color palette in 2003 meant that although his design did not change, the parts that he was made of did. With light bluish gray tones, this Boba appeared in two sets – 6209 Slave I and 6210 Jabba’s Sail Barge. A visually similar variant was found three years later in the 852552 magnet set featuring Boba, Princess Leia, and a Royal Guard. This variant has red-hued printing on the helmet that is difficult for some collectors to spot.

After a decade of Boba Fett, it was time for some changes. In 2010, two particular changes came about for this minifig – for the first time a non-green helmet was created and then the helmet changed altogether. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back, a concept Boba Fett minifigure was created. Ralph McQuarrie’s white armored bounty hunter had made it into LEGO form. The helmet was molded in white, and the torso printing was adapted just slightly and applied to a white torso. This exclusive minifigure came in the 2853835 Boba Fett polybag as well as an exclusive collector’s presentation box. A clear bagged version was also given away at Toy Fair that same year.

As mentioned, the second change was that the helmet mold was completely reworked. The combined helmet and jetpack mold did not allow the helmet to turn on the body. This limited a child’s ability to play with the minifigure which was obviously not desirable for a product aimed at children. Therefore, two separate elements were needed. The third iteration of the System scale Slave I – set 8097 – would be the first to feature these new elements. This Boba was a complete upgrade to the prior versions. New color legs and arms, updated torso printing, a cloth pauldron, a printed head, jetpack, and of course the new helmet!

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From here the number of variants begins to take off. The next Boba would keep most of the parts from the prior version but would get the addition of printed legs. His cloth pauldron would also change shades to an olive green. He would appear in 9496 Desert Skiff and a couple of watches. The head under the helmet would change to a Balaclava version for the next variant, and he would become the only Beskar-sporting Boba to come without a jetpack. He would be found in the Star Wars Celebration VI exclusive.

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Boba Fett would again receive updated torso and leg printing in 2015. To make it that much more special, this Boba would also get arm printing which hadn’t been seen since the Cloud City Boba from twelve years earlier. He appeared exclusively in the Ultimate Collector Series 75060 Slave I. Swapping to a regular Clone Trooper head, the next Boba felt like poor effort on LEGO’s part to many collectors. All other parts remained the same in this version which was exclusive to the Master Builder Series 75222 Betrayal at Cloud City. Ditching the arm printing, the next Boba shared a similar makeup to the previous two. The torso details are ever-so-slightly different as well, but this is so difficult for most collectors to notice that Bricklink had to create a diagram to show it. He was found in 75137 Carbon Freezing Chamber as well as 75243 Slave I – 20th Anniversary Edition.

Not since 2009 had a Boba Fett minifig been found with gray legs, but that was set to change with the release of 75174 Desert Skiff Escape. In addition to a different color of plastic, the print details of the legs and torso were also changed for this figure. He would retain the Clone Trooper head, helmet, and jetpack of past iterations.

In the turmoil of all those variants, one Boba Fett was missed – the updated concept Boba Fett. Referred to many collectors as the prototype Boba Fett, his white armor needed an upgrade. First released in DK’s Character Encyclopedia Updated and Expanded version, this minifigure drove book sales. Surprisingly this wasn’t the first time that the new Mandalorian helmet was molded in white because included in 75018 Jek-14’s Stealth Starfighter was an unnamed Bounty Hunter who had been created in LEGO form two years prior.

Thus far all of our Boba Fetts have been in adult form, but with the release of the Prequel Trilogy fans got the unique opportunity to see Boba when he was just a child. Fortunately, for those who collect minifigs at least, LEGO has captured the young Fett as well. Our first young Boba was only found in 7153 Jango Fett’s Slave I. He utilized the short legs found on other figures including Yoda and Ewoks and came with a black version of the same hair found on Obi-Wan Kenobi in the opposing 7143 Jedi Starfighter.

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Over a decade would pass before the opportunity for an updated version to come along would occur. Quite unexpectedly, the new Boba would be found on day 22 of the 2013 Star Wars Advent Calendar. He was a full upgrade from the previous version with notably more accurate hair! The final young Boba variant would come four years later in 75191 Jedi Starfighter With Hyperdrive. The torso and face printing would once again get updated, and the color of his clothing would go back to medium blue.

Boba Fett has appeared as sixteen different variants across sixteen regular production sets, two convention exclusives, one exclusive polybag, and a variety of watches, magnets, and books. Has this character been perfected in minifigure form? If not, what changes would you make?