In the ever-expanding universe of Star Wars, a new chapter has arrived with the Disney+ series Skeleton Crew. Unlike its predecessors, such as Andor and The Mandalorian, which focused on complex, adult-driven storylines, Skeleton Crew takes a different approach. This show is a fun, engaging children’s adventure that brings a fresh perspective to the galaxy far, far away.
Jude Law, a notable actor known for his range, takes on the role of Jod Na Nawood, a mysterious and somewhat shady character whose path crosses with that of a group of young adventurers. Speaking at a media roundtable, Law expressed his excitement about seeing the Star Wars universe through the eyes of children, highlighting their ability to bring a sense of wonder to even the darkest corners of the galaxy. “There’s something really beautiful about seeing the world of Star Wars through children’s eyes,” he said. “The adventure, the danger, the humor, the absurdity — it’s all seen in a pure, unfiltered way. I think people will find that refreshing, and I hope they embrace it.”
At the heart of Skeleton Crew are four kids who find themselves on an unexpected journey. Wim (Ravi Cabot-Conyers) is a young boy who secretly dreams of becoming a Jedi. His best friend, Neel (Robert Timothy Smith), is a lovable, well-meaning companion who often serves as the voice of reason. Fern (Ryan Kiera Armstrong) is a rebellious and high-achieving young girl who’s tired of living in the shadow of her family’s expectations, and KB (Kyriana Kratter) is Fern’s technologically savvy sidekick.
The adventure begins when Wim discovers a mysterious object in the woods near their home. This object sets off a chain of events that sees the group of kids catapulted into a galaxy-spanning adventure. Along the way, they meet Law’s character, Jod, and other intriguing individuals as they try to find their way back to safety.
For Cabot-Conyers, playing Wim was a dream come true. Having been fascinated by Star Wars since childhood, the role allowed him to tap into his own experiences of wanting something greater than the mundane. "Wim really wants an adventure, he’s stuck in the suburbs and doesn’t quite fit in. He’s fascinated by the idea of being a Jedi," he explained. "That’s what drew me into Star Wars too. The idea of Luke Skywalker, the way he was so heroic, really inspired me. It helped me understand Wim better and shaped my performance.”
Jon Watts and Christopher Ford, the creators of Skeleton Crew, had been working on the idea for the series long before it was picked up by Disney+. “We’ve always loved Star Wars, and we felt that we had a story that would fit well within that universe,” Watts said. “It was one of those stories we kept coming back to, and when we had the chance, we knew we had to tell it.”
Ford added, “We always envisioned a character like Jude Law’s Jod, and we were shocked when we found out he’d never been asked to be part of Star Wars before. We were the first to ask him, and luckily, he was already a huge fan of the franchise.”
Law himself reflected on the profound impact the original Star Wars movie had on him. “The 1977 film changed the way people saw movies,” he said. “It was a bold, imaginative new approach to storytelling, and it left a mark on me and my family.”
In terms of influences, Skeleton Crew takes inspiration not only from Star Wars but also from the early works of Steven Spielberg and Amblin Entertainment, such as The Goonies (1985). The creators of Skeleton Crew acknowledged the similarity but emphasized that their intent wasn’t to recreate those films. “What we loved about those movies was that they didn’t talk down to kids. They let kids be the heroes, and they put them in real danger,” Ford explained. “We wanted to do the same thing with Skeleton Crew. It felt like the right way to tell an authentic story about kids.”
Kyriana Kratter, who plays KB, emphasized that Skeleton Crew is not just for younger viewers. “I think this show works for everyone, whether you’re 8 or 80,” she said. “It’s a perfect gateway for a new generation of Star Wars fans, but it also has something for parents, with that Amblin vibe. There’s nostalgia for them, and they’ll love spotting all the Easter eggs in the show.”