5 Years Ago, Star Wars Finally Brought a Beloved Character Into Live-Action for the First Time (And Needs Them Back)

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Star Wars is far more than just the films. While the movies are popular and rightfully so—the original trilogy especially created a remarkably unique and detailed universe—the books, video games, and TV shows also deserve recognition for keeping the franchise exciting. Recently, Star Wars: Andor has been a standout success, offering a compelling and grounded story about ordinary people striving to make a difference in the galaxy, without relying on typical sci-fi tropes like magic or advanced technology.

While Andor isn’t the only Star Wars show with heroic characters, the first Disney+ series, The Mandalorian, also follows a protagonist, Din Djarin, who encounters many people working for the greater good as he travels the galaxy. However, one character in particular is notable because their story began outside of television.

The Mandalorian Features an Important Star Wars Character’s Live-Action Debut

The Star Wars universe frequently revisits planets like Coruscant and Naboo, but Tatooine holds a special significance. It’s where the journeys of both Anakin and Luke Skywalker began – they were raised on the desert planet before venturing out to restore balance to the Force. Tatooine also plays a role in The Mandalorian, starting with a key storyline in Season 2. Din Djarin travels there searching for other Mandalorians and discovers a sheriff wearing familiar armor, though this individual doesn’t follow the Mandalorian creed.

Djarin questions Cobb Vanth and discovers his background. While the novel Star Wars: Aftermath provides a more detailed explanation, it reveals Vanth’s motivation: protecting his town on Tatooine from a rising crime group. He uses Boba Fett’s armor to scare them off. The Mandalorian continues the story, showing Vanth asking Djarin for help with a dangerous krayt dragon threatening the town. Their partnership feels promising, but the Star Wars universe doesn’t fully explore their connection, which ultimately hurts both the story and Vanth’s character.

Star Wars Needs More Cobb Vanth

Vanth appears again in live-action in The Book of Boba Fett, which is also set on Tatooine. When the criminal Pyke Syndicate begins causing problems, Vanth defends his town, as anyone would. The Pykes retaliate after losing some of their members by sending the bounty hunter Cad Bane to punish the sheriff. Vanth is seriously wounded by a blaster, and his survival is uncertain until the very end of the series. A post-credits scene shows he’s still alive, but barely, in a bacta tank. He won’t fully recover, however; one of Boba Fett’s mechanics is preparing to rebuild him using cybernetic implants.

The show The Book of Boba Fett hinted at a promising future for the character Vanth, suggesting he’ll be even more capable and prepared for upcoming challenges. However, he’s been sidelined for a while now. With his friend Din Djarin continuing his story in The Mandalorian & Grogu, it seems unlikely Vanth will join him. Currently, he feels like an unresolved plot point, which is unfortunate given how compelling and full of potential the character is. Lucasfilm should remember that the strength of the Star Wars franchise relies on developing its relatable, everyday heroes.

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2025-10-30 19:41