Friday, December 02, 2005

Temuera Morrison (Jango Fett/Clone Troopers)

Before Episode II hit the screen, I was delighted to learn that Temuera Morrison was slated to play Jango Fett. You all know him as the fearless bounty hunter who led the Mandolarian warriors before their disbandment. He is also the father of Boba Fett. I first watched Morrison play Jake Heke (pronounced Ke-ke) in the Aotearoa (New Zealand) classic "Once were Warriors." His acting was superb. I have followed him since. Unfortunately, it was not until Ep III, that Morrison saw any success in the United States as an actor. He played in several b movie bombs such as "Barbed Wire" and "Speed 2."

He hails from the Maori tribe. A strong tribe that survived European oppression in Aotearoa. What's dope is that this tribe considers themselves Black. Morrison's heritage dates back several centuries and there are even legends about some of his ancestors in Maori mythology. He is a cultural advisor and performer. He maintains his tribe's heritage by performing kapa haka (dance and chants that retell ancient Maori myths) . He has been doing this since the age of ten. He is a member of the 40-strong cultural group Ngati Rangiwewehi.

I know there are plenty of fans who dislike the fact that Lucas has voiced over all the old Boba Fett voices with Morrison's. I say to them "always bet on black.."

3 comments:

Amadeo said...

Hell the universe needs more color...you know someone so bad had to be a brother anyway. Plus as I recall Boba survives his encounter in Ep. VI.

Unknown said...

He does survive the Sarlacc Pitt as explained in the Bounty Hunter Wars novels. Soon after however, he disappears and someone even tries to act like Fett to get loot. but Boba don't play that.

Anonymous said...

To clarify something: the Maori aren't a tribe, they're a people with many tribes - Temuera is of the Ngati Whakaue hapu (clan) of the Te Arawa tribe.
In your mouth Heke is best pronounced (He-kay).
Do Maori consider themselves 'black' as you put it? They consider themselves Maori and Polynesian, and call themselves 'brown' in their music.
it's pure Afro/Ameri - centric ignorance to only recognize other races in the sense that they are closer to you than white folk. Their identity doesn't need yours to stand up.