Summary
Star Wars’new trailer for the upcomingStar Wars: Skeleton Crewseries is packed full of subtle hat-tips to otherStar Warsprojects, but one Easter egg in particular pays tribute to one of George Lucas' unique projects: Michael Jackson’sCaptain EO. The premise ofSkeleton Crewis heavily rooted in the coming-of-age stories often brought to life during the 1980s, particularlyThe Gooniesand other Amblin Entertainment projects. This has givenSkeleton Crewitself quite a bit of ’80s influence, somethingStar Warsis really digging into by paying tribute to one of Lucas' most surprising projects.
Lucas was an executive producer on and helped to write the story forCaptain EO, the short film starring Michael Jackson that was created for a 3D viewing attraction at Disney Parks in 1986. Though directed by Francis Ford Coppola, the sci-fi feel of this musical film naturally embodied some familiar elements ofStar Wars. It has, however, faded somewhat into the background of pop culture due to it no longer being present at Disney Parks - butSkeleton Crewis bringing it back in a major way. Now, a key element ofCaptain EOhas becomeStar Warscanon.
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew: Cast, Story & Everything We Know
The upcoming live-action TV show, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, looks to be a fascinatingly unique Disney+ show. Here’s what’s known about it so far.
Captain EO’s Fuzzball Appears In The Skeleton Crew Trailer
Fuzzball is Just One of Several Hat-Tips to Captain EO
The trailer forSkeleton Crewprovides a quick glimpse at a flying creature trapped inside a cage that’s unmistakably Fuzzball fromCaptain EO.Fuzzball is the titular Captain EO’s sidekick, a member of EO’s ragtag crew that travels with himto transform The Supreme Leader back to her true self and, as a result, save their galaxy. The creature is instrumental in Captain EO’s mission and proves himself to be a formidable right-hand to his captain. Now, Fuzzball has officially enteredStar Warscanon, with a creature of his species having been glimpsed in theSkeleton Crewtrailer.
This, however, isn’t the only hat-tip to Lucas’Captain EO. TheSkeleton CrewcharacterNeel himself looks almost like a blend betweenStar Wars’Max Rebo andCaptain EO’s Hooter, both of whom are known for their percussive talent. The design of the droid SM-33 inSkeleton Crewmatches with the design of one inCaptain EO, with both their left legs being a simple rod instead of matching the fully built leg on their right side. Some are even drawing comparisons between Ravi Cabot-Conyers' Wim and Captain EO himself, as the two of them are certainly big dreamers.
Captain EO Has Always Felt Like Star Wars: The Musical
This Skeleton Crew Tribute Just Makes Sense
Captain EOis the perfect Lucasfilm project forSkeleton Crewto be paying tribute to, seeing asCaptain EOhas always felt like aStar Warsmusical. Jackson made it clear in his lifetime that he was a big fan ofStar Wars, withJackson nearly playing Jar Jar BinksinStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, and that surely factored into his performance as Captain EO. Seeing as Lucas had just finished the originalStar Warstrilogy whenCaptain EOwas being written and produced, it also makes sense that it contains some of his sci-fi flair.
Even more meaningful is the deeper meaning behindSkeleton Crewpaying tribute toCaptain EO. The latter wasone of the first joint projects, if not the first, between Disney and Lucasfilm. Disney would, of course, go on to buy Lucasfilm in 2012, makingSkeleton Crewand all otherStar Warsprojects released in the last 10 years joint productions between the two companies.Captain EOwas certainly the first visual project in this storied history between the two companies, makingSkeleton Crew’s tribute to it all the more rewarding.
Star Wars: Skeleton Crewpremieres its first two episodes December 3 on Disney+.
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew
Cast
Skeleton Crew follows four ordinary children who become lost in the expansive Star Wars galaxy. As they navigate unfamiliar worlds and the challenges they present, the group endeavors to find their way back to their home planet, undertaking a journey across the iconic Star Wars universe.
