Why The Hutts Really Gave The Rancor To Boba Fett - Theory Explained
Warning: SPOILERS for The Book of Boba Fett episode 3.
In The Book of Boba Fett, the Hutt Twins give Boba Fett a young rancor as a gift, but the gesture may have a sinister meaning. Temuera Morrison's Disney+ series reimagines Boba Fett's journey in the Star Wars universe. Though the character appeared to die in 1983's Return of the Jedi after falling into the Sarlacc pit, The Book of Boba Fett shows flashbacks of how the character survived the Sarlacc and was taken captive by Tusken Raiders. The present-day story follows Boba Fett's attempt to rule on Jabba the Hutt's throne. However, the residents of Tatooine aren't always receptive to the new Daimyo. In particular, the Hutt Twins want to rule Tatooine for themselves.
The Twins first appeared in The Book of Boba Fett episode 2. The two Hutts are Jabba's cousins, and they don't appreciate Boba Fett trying to rule on the throne. In episode 3, the Twins even send Black Krrsantan (portrayed by actor Carey Jones) to assassinate the former bounty hunter. However, Boba Fett and his followers foil the plan, trapping Black Krrsantan, a Wookiee bounty hunter, in Jabba's old rancor cage. The Hutt Twins later appear in the episode to apologize and give a young rancor as restitution.
Though the rancor appears to be a nice gesture, there may be an alternative reason for the gift. While giving the rancor as a gift, the Twins reveal a new development on Tatooine. Though Boba Fett and the Twins want to rule Jabba the Hutt's former territory on Tatooine, the Mayor Mok Shaiz of Mos Espa (voiced by co-showrunner Robert Rodriguez) promised the domain to someone else. The series later reveals that this other group is the Pyke Syndicate. The Hutts plan to leave the planet instead of heading to war over the territory, perhaps showing that they're simply delivering the rancor to Boba Fett for safekeeping and waiting to make their move.
In all likelihood, the Twins aren't genuinely giving the rancor to Boba Fett. Since Boba Fett is probably going to war with the Pykes over the territory, the Hutts probably want to leave the rancor so it's in the palace already for their eventual takeover. After all, Danny Trejo's character, a rancor trainer, explains that the creature is depressed when it arrives at Jabba's Palace. It probably doesn't want to leave its former owners. Boba Fett himself questions the gift and the Hutts' intentions. After the Twins go, the former bounty hunter comments that he has "no reason to believe them" and they would benefit from their enemies fighting each other.
Even if the rancor is a trick, it will likely backfire on the Twins. In the episode, Danny Trejo's rancor trainer says the creature imprints on the first person he sees. That person is Boba Fett. The former bounty hunter even claims he wants to ride the beast. Since Boba Fett treats the rancor with kindness it probably wasn't getting from the Twins, the creature wouldn't willingly return to the Hutts' service. So if the rancor gift is the Twins' trick, it's already backfiring on them.
The Book of Boba Fett streams Wednesdays on Disney+.