MOVIE NEWS – There’s a very cool old story about Star Wars which has just been confirmed by Mark Hamill.

Boba Fett, during the years, became a hugely popular character, even though the bounty hunter has only been seen on screen for several minutes total between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi ahead of his rather stupid death, tumbling into the Sarlacc Pit. However, what if Boba Fett had been something more? Like, Luke’s mother for instance. That’s precisely what Hamill wanted years ago.

This is a story that has subsisted only in rumour for years now. As it goes, Mark Hamill wanted a big twist in the time between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi capable of rivalling the reveal that Darth Vader was Luke’s father. Hamill’s idea? Reveal Boba Fett as a double agent that was none other than his mom. This theory recently came up on Twitter via the folks behind the show, Tatooine Suns: A Star Wars Podcast. Hamill was kind enough to reply. Here’s what he had to say about it.

“I once suggested it to George as the only way we could top Vader being my father. I envisioned her as a double-agent working clandestinely for the Rebels. Spoiler Alert: He didn’t like my idea.”

I once suggested it to George as the only way we could top Vader being my father. I envisioned her as a double-agent working clandestinely for the Rebels. SPOILER ALERT: He didn’t like my idea.

— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) November 16, 2018

Undoubtedly, this would have changed the course of Star Wars forever. That’s not an exaggeration by any stretch. Not only would it forever alter the mystique surrounding Boba Fett, but it would have changed the eventual course of the franchise. As we know, George Lucas eventually went on to make the prequel trilogy, which mostly centred on the story of Anakin Skywalker and his relationship to Padme Amidala, the woman that would become the mother of both Luke Skywalker and Leia, who died while giving birth at the end of Revenge of the Sith.

Had George Lucas taken Mark Hamill up on this idea, it would have changed not only the story of Return of the Jedi but the story that would eventually be told in the prequels. Not just that, but Attack of the Clones explores the origins of Boba Fett, via his father, Jango Fett. What we learn is that Boba was an unaltered clone of his father who went on to take up his mantle after Mace Windu chopped Jango’s head off. If Boba Fett were discovered to be Luke’s mother, that whole plot point would probably have to disappear as well.

None of this is to say that Return of the Jedi would have been better off with such a plot twist, but it’s interesting to think about the wide-ranging impact such a reveal would have had. Moreover, it’s also nice to finally have Mark Hamill confirm this himself. At this point, fans of Boba Fett have to take what they can get, since Lucasfilm has scrapped the planned Boba Fett standalone movie. Maybe if we’re lucky he’ll show up in The Mandalorian. It just won’t be Luke’s mom under the helmet. Be sure to check out the exchange from Mark Hamill‘s Twitter below.