Summary
Star Wars enthusiasts have finally caught a glimpse of the main cast for the highly anticipated Disney Plus seriesStar Wars: Skeleton Crew,and this reveal was rather surprising.
The reveal for the much-awaitedStar Wars: Skeleton Crewtook an unconventional route, bypassing Disney’s typical trailer or poster release and instead surfacing via early merchandise for the show. Set withinThe Mandalorian’s timelineand featuring at least one familiar character,this new Star Wars adventure promises to break new ground in the franchise as it follows a band of teenagers from an Earth-like planet on a space odyssey after they find themselves thrust into the vast unknown of the Outer Rim. Their survival hinges on the aid of a mysteriousForce-user portrayed by Jude Law, whose enigmatic Jedi character adds layers to the narrative. Despite exclusive footage at Star Wars Celebration 2023, no official releases have been made public.
Online retailers likeFanattikrecently listed a new limited edition Star Wars ingot, adding to the franchise’s extensive collection. This official collectible is particularly unique, offering more insights into the upcomingSkeleton Crewand a sneak peek at the young cast. Available for pre-order before May 31, the ingot showcases an engraving of five characters, including four children and a mysterious droid looming in the background. Notably absent is Jude Law’s Force-wielding character unless the droid doubles as his helmet. Skull motifs also embellish the ingot in line with the series’ theme and title. The accompanying box reveals detailed depictions of the live-action characters, prominently featuring the four children in vibrant color. Interestingly, the box art excludes the droid or helmeted figure, suggesting a key focus on the other four characters, with one being an elephant-like alien. These revelations hint at the central characters ofSkeleton Crew,a story centered around children navigating the vast galaxy, seeking their purpose.
Since its announcement in May 2022, Disney has been notably silent aboutSkeleton Crew. While lucky attendees saw a brief teaser at the Star Wars Celebration 2023, the recent merchandise reveal marks the first major glimpse for the wider audience. This new reveal showsSkeleton Crew’s lead cast, including Ryan Keira Armstrong, Ravi Cabot-Conyers, and Kyriana Kratter, as human characters, alongside an adorable Ortolan character named Neel, who was introduced by Robert Timothy Smith during Star Wars Celebration London. The Ortolan species, first introduced with Max Rebo inReturn of the Jedi, recentlyalso appeared inThe Book of Boba Fett.Aside fromAhsoka, this series stands out with an alien lead character, marking the first time an alien without a humanoid face takes center stage. The unknown droid’s prominent depiction suggests it plays a significant role in the plot, though specifics about the series are still scarce.
Even though it doesn’t reveal much aboutSkeleton Crew, the announcement of official merchandise during this period is somewhat surprising. WithStar Wars: The Acolyte set to premiere in June, some suggest it might be too early forSkeleton Crewmarketing to begin in earnest, especially since Lucasfilm typically focuses on promoting one Star Wars project at a time. Unless the merchandise couldn’t be delayed any longer, it implies the ingots were intended to debut well after the show but now serve as a teaser due to delayed plans. Still, it will be interesting to see the impact of such changes. Amid rumors of a potential LEGO Star Wars set, Disney might unveil Crewand its release window onceThe Acolyteconcludes. Until then, fans will have to wait for an official announcement or more leaks for further details.
Star Wars: Skeleton Crewis expected to debut on Disney Plus in 2024.
