The first trailer for 'The Book of Boba Fett' takes 'Star Wars' fans into the galactic underworld

Straight outta the Sarlacc, here comes the first trailer for The Book of Boba Fett — the latest Disney+ Star Wars series and the first live-action star vehicle for the titular bounty hunter in his four decade existence. It's an upgrade that's been a long time coming for a divisive character who made his first appearance in 1978's infamously awful Star Wars Holiday Special followed by a notoriously lame death in 1983's Return of the Jedi, not to mention a potential mid-2010s spinoff movie that was thrown in the garbage compactor. (Watch the trailer below.)

But through it all, the Boba Fett faithful never wavered in their affection for Han Solo's carbon-freezing nemesis. And Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni rewarded their patience by bringing him back in a big way in The Mandalorian's blockbuster second season, with Robert Rodriguez helming the episode that gave fans the "badass Boba Fett" they'd long dreamed of seeing.

Not surprisingly, that trio also forms the core creative team behind The Book of Boba Fett, which picks up immediately following The Mandalorian's Season 2 finale, and features Temuera Morrison and Ming-Na Wen reprising their roles as Boba and Fennec Shand, respectively. As you might recall, the final shot of that episode featured the dynamic bounty hunting duo taking over the throne previously occupied by Jabba the Hutt — the sandworm-esque crime lord who also met his end in Return of the Jedi and hasn't been resurrected... not yet anyway.

The Book of Boba Fett trailer indicates that Boba's still got some 'splainin' to do to the rest of Tatooine's criminal underworld about his sudden career transition. To Boba's credit, he's worked out a clear action plan for his criminal empire. "Jabba ruled with fear — I intend to rule with respect," Boba remarks in his best Michael Corleone voice.

Make that respect, and a whole lot of scheming... not to mention firepower. The Godfather and Sopranos vibes — as well as a healthy dash of Game of Thrones — are strong throughout the minute-and-a-half long trailer. Just try not to think of a post-Robert Baratheon Westeros as Boba and Fennec go about trying to persuade Tatooine's various alien factions — including Ithorians and Tusken Raiders — to unite behind their own iron throne. And when persuasion fails to work, there's always violence, which the former bounty hunter is more than capable of carrying out.

It goes without saying that avowed Boba Fett acolytes are ready to sign their names in his book. But even this trailer isn't enough to convince those Star Wars fans who wish he had been digested in the Sarlacc's stomach long, long ago in a Great Pit of Carkoon not so far away.

The Book of Boba Fett premieres Dec. 29 on Disney+