The latest Star Wars live-action series, The Acolyte, just wrapped up on Disney+ following weeks of divisive comments and fluctuating viewing figures. Disney and Lucasfilm are already gearing up for the release of their next series, the Jon Watts (Spider-Man: No Way Home) and Christopher Ford (Spider-Man: Homecoming) created, Skeleton Crew, a series set during the same time as other Star Wars streaming series such as The Mandalorian, Ahsoka and The Book of Boba Fett.
The series follows a group of children – Wim, KB, Neel and Fern, as they get lost in a galaxy far, far away and try to find their way back home. On their journey, they encounter a mysterious force user played by Jude Law named Jod Na Nawood, a character that uses his quick thinking, charm and conversation to get himself out of all sorts of scenarios. In an interview with People, Law reveals that the children are attempting to “manoeuvre through” places they shouldn’t be and that having children in those environments is thrilling. However, Law was quick to state that the first word that comes to mind when he thinks of the series is “joyful.” This should come as no surprise given the Amblin inspiration on the series that the creators have discussed at length for the past year.
Law told people that there’s references to past Star Wars films in Skeleton Crew and recent TV series episodes – we know at least one pirate featured in the third season of The Mandalorian will feature in the series. The creators added that tech is a key source of Easter eggs and that viewers can expect to see quite a few references to past Star Wars projects in the first episode. Law described the series as fun and added that the series is about this group working together to overcome fears, self-opinions and overcoming weakness to succeed, all whilst the cast are in a “constant state” of confusion and jeopardy.
Two years ago, I shared exclusive footage of Skeleton Crew filming, which saw the stunt double for Wim on a speeder bike of sorts. Now, the creators are sharing just how important Hover bikes are to the series and that the bikes are integral to telling a story of childhood adventure, which is expected for a series that took such great inspiration from Amblin projects such as E.T. “They had like little bikes and they were on rails, and so they’d like slide back and forth and left and right [so] they could turn and bank, In reality, it looks completely insane and for the kids, the main direction was, ‘Stop smiling!’ because they were having so much fun” says Jon Watts.
You may recall that ten months ago I exclusively reported that Skeleton Crew, which was originally due to air last year, had been delayed by an entire year. At the time I wrote that the series was expected to release around November of this year. Disney have now confirmed the series will release on December 3rd and promotion is starting to begin on the series – I can’t help but wonder if a teaser trailer is imminent.
At Celebration 2023, fans who attended the Lucasfilm Showcase got to see an unreleased teaser trailer for the series. I was lucky enough to be in attendance and it was the Skeleton Crew trailer that I enjoyed the most – we also saw trailers for Ahsoka, The Acolyte and Andor season two. The Acolyte teaser that released back in February was near one-for-one to the trailer shown and Celebration, so I wonder if the first trailer we get for Skeleton Crew is also basically the one that was debuted behind closed doors in the spring of last year.
Next week is D23, which runs from August 9th to 11th. Lucasfilm are expected to be in attendance of one of the panels where other Disney companies such as Marvel Studios are expected to announce various things and share details of upcoming projects. Skeleton Crew is what’s next for Lucasfilm, so it would make sense that they would share a trailer for Skeleton Crew at the event, especially if it’s only around four months away at that point. If Lucasfilm debut a trailer in the room, it doesn’t guarantee it’ll also release online. Though given when we expect the series to release, you’d assume it might release online at the same time also.
I don’t know what else to expect from Lucasfilm at the event. Perhaps they show those in attendance a teaser for Andor season two – it’s too early to share that online given the season won’t release until next year (something I exclusively reported last year). Maybe they’ll formally announced that filming has begun of their next theatrical release, The Mandalorian and Grogu. Personally, if I were Lucasfilm, I’d be holding back any other announcements for Celebration 2025. We already know the next three Star Wars series are (Skeleton, Andor S2, Ahsoka S2) and have a plethora of movies announced.
Despite hearing not so positive things about the series in the past, I’m very much excited for Skeleton Crew. As I mentioned, I truly enjoyed the trailer shown at Celebration last year and it really captured the Amblin vibe that the creators were going for. Mix that with the incredible talent attached to the series – Jon Watts, Christopher Ford, The Daniels (Everything, Everywhere, All At Once), David Lowery (Green Knight), Lee Isaac Chung (Twisters) and Jake Schrier (Beef), and I think it sounds great.
Skeleton Crew is expected to debut exclusively on Disney+ on December 3rd.
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