Summary
Ever since Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012, fans have been eager to see what the studio would do with the belovedStar Warsfranchise. While the studio has received plenty of criticism, especially with regard to its most recent trilogy,Star Warsseems to be at an all-time high regarding fans' excitement about what could still come. Thus far, the studio has focused on much of the same, including revisiting the Skywalkers in the most recent film trilogy. However, thanks to projects likeAndoron the smaller screen,Star Warsappears to have found a much-needed new lease on life.
While Lucasfilm is already hard at work on its next cinematic adventure for the big screen withThe Mandalorian & Grogu, the franchise continues to expand with streaming shows. Next up for the galaxy far, far away isStar Wars: The Skeleton Crew.This series looks to be aimed at a much younger demographic, featuring a brand-new story with all new characters. It’s abrand-new perspective on theStar Warsuniverseand, if done right,The Skeleton Crewcould prove to be theAndorfor younger audiences.
What is Star Wars: The Skeleton Crew About?
Star Wars: The Skeleton Crewis a live-action series that hails from director Jon Watts of the MCU’sSpider-Manfilms. It’s a kid-friendly series that takes place in a galaxy far, far away.The Skeleton Crewfollows four childrenas they make a strange discovery in the woods on their home planet, which they believe to be a lost Jedi temple, but ultimately looks to be a crashed spaceship. The kids soon find themselves going from the suburbs in space, to lost in space. Soon, they stumble upon Jude Law’s character,Jod Na Nawood, who appears to be a Jedi.
The series has an 80s feel, much along the lines ofThe GooniesandE.T., and looks to be a breath of fresh air within theStar Warsuniverse. While Law has teasedStar Warselements throughout the series,The Skeleton Crewis very much a coming-of-age story set within theStar Warsuniverse. It’s focused on adventure for the four kids at the center of the story. In an interview with Watts, the director cited the classic video gameMonkey Islandfor his inspiration with regard to the pirates featured in theStar Warsseries, tellingEW:
That’s also classic Lucas. So somewhere betweenStar Warspirates and Monkey Island pirates. I think we found our sweet spot.
With a new crew made up entirely of teenagers,The Skeleton Crewfeels like it’s for everyone. It’s a space adventure that doesn’t appear to rely too much on theStar Warslore that fans already know learned. That’s why, likeAndor, it’s exciting.Andormanaged to thrive because it stepped outside the box, beyond theStar Warslore that’s been explored time and time again.The Skeleton Crewcould and should do the same.
How Does The Skeleton Crew Compare to Andor?
Andortakes placefive years before the events ofRogue One: A Star Wars Story. The series follows an ensemble cast led by Diego Luna returning as Cassian Andor,in the events that lead up to the formation of the Rebel Alliance. The series is perfect for adult fans ofStar Wars—those who have loved the franchise for a long time, but have been eager to see the events that took place before the Rebel Alliance came to be. While the story does focus on importantStar Warslore, it still manages to stand alone and tell a story that feels fresh and exciting, with a new perspective on the franchise.
The Skeleton Crewseems to be doing much of the same. This is a great thing forStar Wars, and for younger fans of the franchise who might not be familiar with the lore, but simply want an exciting new story set in a galaxy far, far away. As it stands,The Skeleton Crewlooks like a return to more exciting times at the movies, with films likeThe Gooniesand evenAdventures in Babysitting.In these movies, the core cast was small, but the adventures were grand.The Skeleton Crewisn’t trying to expand upon the most recentStar Warstrilogy of films. It’s not trying to fit intothe world ofThe Mandalorian. More than anything, it appears that the series hopes to stand on its own two feet and carve out a new corner of theStar Warsuniverse.
The comparisons betweenAndorandThe Skeleton Crewmight be seen as confusing, given both shows are geared toward different audiences. However, they’re far more alike than they are different. That’s a good thing, though. While fans might seem unsure of new takes in theStar Warsuniverse, at leastjudging by the reception ofThe Acolyte,The Skeleton Crewseems poised for success —so long as it doesn’t lose itselfby trying to fit into a box.
Star Wars: The Skeleton Crewis set to debut on Disney+ on Aug 02, 2025.
