Summary
Star Wars: Skeleton Crewmay have just reintroduced Ortolans toStar Wars, but what has the franchise actually revealed about this species?TheSkeleton Crewtrailerrecently dropped, revealing a number of shocking details about thisupcomingStar WarsTV show. In addition to the surprising revelation that a new Force-sensitive being is being introduced toStar Wars’movies and TV shows, the trailer revealed a creature that looks familiar.
Specifically, the trailer showed that one of the children lost in the galaxy is a small elephant-like creature that was highly reminiscent of the Ortolan species seen in the originalStar Warstrilogy. While Ortolans might not be one ofStar Wars’major species, they have played a role in the franchise before.Here’s everythingStar Warshas revealed about Ortolans thus far.
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Trailer Breakdown
The first trailer for Star Wars’ newest TV show - Skeleton Crew - is finally here, bringing a first look at the series’ cast, characters, and story.
Ortolans' Origin In Star Wars Explained
Ortolans, as shown in bothReturn of the Jediand, presumably,Skeleton Crew, are blue alien creatures who bear a striking resemblance to elephants. They have long, floppy ears and a long trunk, giving them their elephant-like appearance. Their bodies are also a vibrant blue color and tend to be somewhat stout, and they have large black eyes.
The species comes from the planet Orto, a frigid Outer Rim world requiring the Ortolans to maintain their stout body types. Little else is known about the homeworld of the Ortolans, and canon has been somewhat inconsistent in the species' representation as well. In fact, at times, Ortolans have also been shown without arms. Beyond that, any understanding of Ortolans inStar Warsprimarily comes from the franchise’s most prominent Ortolan character thus far: Max Rebo.
Max Rebo Is The Most Famous Ortolan In Star Wars
So far inStar Wars,the only truly prominent Ortolan character has been Max Rebo, the musician inReturn of the JediandThe Book of Boba Fett,who played the franchise’s well-known (for better or worse) “jizz music.” InReturn of the Jedi, Max Rebo was introduced as a Jizz-wailer working for Jabba the Hutt, leading the Max Rebo Band. Sadly, Max Rebo’s role in that movie is perhaps the most memorable because it was his music that was interrupted by Jabba’s slave, Oola, being dropped in the rancor pit to die.
Somewhat surprisingly, Max Rebo made a second appearance in theStar Warsfranchise inThe Book of Boba Fett, proving he survived the attack on Jabba and his lackeys in the original trilogy. Just as he was inReturn of the Jedi, in this show, Max Rebo was a musician. However, after Jabba was killed, Rebo moved on to playing at Garsa’s Sanctuary in Mos Espa.
Neel Might Be Star Wars' First Major Ortolan Character
Little is currently known aboutSkeleton Crew, although the recently released trailer revealed quite a bit more. For one, it was confirmed thatSkeleton Crewreally will be a coming-of-age story featuring children lost in the galaxy. The group of children will also be joined by Jude Law’s character, Jod Na Nawood, a Force-sensitive human who the children believe to be a Jedi (although that isn’t confirmed). However, the children’s identities remain largely a mystery.
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.
For that reason,it isn’t clear whetherSkeleton Crew’sNeel really is an Ortolan. He certainly fits the description; his blue skin, long trunk, and black eyes all align with what has been seen of Ortolans inStar Warscanon. Nevertheless, his species has yet to be confirmed.
If Neel is an Ortolan, he would be the first major character of this species inStar Wars.
However, if Neel is an Ortolan, he would be the first major character of this species inStar Wars. This would be an interesting update for the franchise and in keeping with recentStar Warsmovies and TV shows. In fact, the franchise’s recent shows in particular have been all about innovation, introducing new planets, new groups of Force-users, and new characters. This would also be part ofStar Wars’constant expansion of non-human species. As just one example, the franchise has come a long way from George Lucas insisting Wookiees can’t be Jedi.
Skeleton Crewwill certainly prove interesting, whether Neel is an Ortolan or not. The show is truly bringing about an original story, as this type of coming-of-age narrative hasn’t yet happened in the franchise. Yet, it would be particularly exciting for thisStar Warsspecies to be developed further. Indeed, Ortolans might finally become a prominent species inStar WarsinStar Wars: The Skeleton Crew.
