Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, the upcoming Disney+ series, shows off a pair of new images and showcases the directors behind the episodes including showrunner Jon Watts, known for directing Marvel’s Spider-Man movies.
In a recent interview with Empire Magazine, Watts and fellow directors share their thoughts on how the show came together.
Jon Watts’ Vision for Skeleton Crew
Jon Watts’ approach to Skeleton Crew was simple yet ambitious. He explained, “Ford and I sat down like, ‘Who are our favourite directors, who would be good at this?’ We went out to all you guys, and you all said yes. No-one turned it down!” The project brought together a team of diverse talents, all enthusiastic to dive into the Star Wars universe.
The story is centered around “kids lost in the Star Wars universe,” a fresh concept that allows for new storytelling angles. Watts was keen on directors who could portray this narrative from a unique perspective, showcasing the iconic universe through the eyes of young characters.
David Lowery: From Peter Pan to Star Wars
David Lowery, who recently worked on a Peter Pan movie, was one of the first to jump on board. “Jon pitched it as, ‘Kids lost in the Star Wars universe. And there’s a bunch of pirates.’ I was like, ‘Cool. I just finished a Peter Pan movie, I’m in the pirate world,'” Lowery shared who also liked the idea of the new robot named SM-33. For him, the transition from Neverland to the galaxy far, far away was a natural fit, especially with Jude Law, who had previously played Captain Hook, now leading the charge in Skeleton Crew.
Bryce Dallas Howard: A Longtime Connection
Bryce Dallas Howard, known for directing episodes of The Mandalorian, revealed her longstanding connection with Watts. “I’ve known these guys — and Ford — for literally over 20 years. Watts has a playbill from something that I directed in college!” She first encountered “Grammar Rodeo,” the code name for the project, while working on The Mandalorian Season 3. “I was like, ‘How is it?’ And they’re like, ‘It’s so good.'”
Jake Schreier: A Friendship Turned Collaboration
Jake Schreier, Marvel’s Thunderbolts director, became involved in Skeleton Crew through old friendships. “Jon and Ford were my roommates in college,” Schreier said. The camaraderie from their college days carried over into the project, with Schreier lending his own style to the series. He added, “Jon and Ford’s sound project was a pirate radio drama. They’ve been working at this for a very, very long time.”
Lee Isaac Chung: A New Perspective
Lee Isaac Chung, known for the acclaimed film Minari, joined the team after Watts sought him out. “Jon had talked to [Jon] Favreau about the work I did on Mando,” Chung explained. Chung was drawn to the chance to work with young actors, a core element of the show’s premise. “Minari is so good, and shows such an ability to work with young actors,” Watts noted. “We wanted directors who would be able to show Star Wars from a new perspective.”
A Dream Team of Directors
The lineup for Skeleton Crew also includes the Daniels, who directed Everything Everywhere All at Once. Watts shared, “Everything Everywhere hadn’t come out yet when we got them — I was just a fan of Swiss Army Man.” The collaboration reflects a blend of established names and fresh voices, all united by their enthusiasm for the project.
Empire Magazine goes on sale on October 24. Skeleton Crew debuts on Disney+ with the first two episodes on December 4.
