STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: GOODBYE, JEREMY BULLOCH...

Friday 18 December 2020

GOODBYE, JEREMY BULLOCH...

Back in the armour for a special fan photo shoot: Jeremy Bulloch as the lethal bounty hunter Boba Fett.

The universe of Star Wars lost one of its finest ambassadors, and beloved members of the 'family', with the news that Jeremy Bulloch, the original actor to don the ultra-cool helmet and armour of lethal and charismatic bounty hunter Boba Fett, from the Original Trilogy, has sadly passed away at the age of 75. By 1979, Bulloch was already a well known and much-liked actor/'face' on the UK film, TV and stage circuit- in fact, he'd continue to be right up until his retirement of a few years back, but he became an instant hit with fans worldwide thanks to his short but sweet appearances playing Fett in The Empire Strikes Back and later Return of the Jedi, having been luckily offered the chance to inhabit the special and swiftly iconic costume for UK filming, thanks to the shrewd opportunity given to him by his half-brother, producer Robert Watts.

If the shoes fit... Jeremy Bulloch in full costume in April 1979 as Boba Fett, for The Empire Strikes Back.

When another actor was unavailable for filming, Bulloch would step in to play an important Imperial Officer keeping Leia hostage to ensnare Luke Skywalker on Bespin.

One of the few BTS shots of Jeremy Bulloch unmasked, for The Empire Strikes Back, alongside Dave Prowse and Irvin Kershner. Image via The Star Wars Archives.

Pictured alongside one of the Nikto's in Jabba's Palace, Bulloch returned to play Boba for Return of the Jedi sequences filmed at Elstree Studios in Jan/Feb 1982.

A ROTJ behind the scenes shot featuring Jeremy with his children, Robbie and Jamie.

Happy to shoot an Ewok, Bulloch's last official (of sorts) appearance as Boba was in the David Tomblin directed mini-film especially created for Warwick Davis, shot alongside Return of the Jedi, humorously titled Return of the Ewok!

Always a huge lover and supporter of the saga, Bulloch was truly one of the nicest and most gracious of people that Star Wars Aficionado ever met outside of the films, during too-numerous-to mention-publicity appearances/convention work, much of which particularly exploded in interest with the debut of the Special Editions from 1997 onwards, of which Fett's character had gained expanded appearances. He was always a great raconteur of behind the scenes tales (not just on Star Wars, but other well known projects he'd appeared in, such as several James Bond films and Doctor Who), had a passion for cricket, adored travelling (his official website brimming with photos and info), and was always enthused to be in the company of so many dedicated and enraptured fans who truly appreciated the physical work he put into making Fett such a dangerous yet admired character onscreen, doing so in a way that truly cemented the villain's important legacy in the saga, as well as being a future inspiration for Star Wars in its new life on the small screen, what with the huge success of The Mandalorian...