Star Wars Failure Recreated by Jon Watts for Skeleton Crew
Longtime fans of the Star Wars franchise may have noticed a clever nod to one of its most infamous failures during the premiere of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew. Your eyes are not playing tricks on you – that was indeed a direct allusion to the widely criticized <em>Star Wars Holiday Special</em>. Director Jon Watts discussed this intriguing reference in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, shedding light on the creative choices behind this homage.
The memorable scene features a family of aliens captivated by a holographic circus performance, reminiscent of the infamous Holiday Special, where Chewbacca’s young son, Lumpy, watched a similar act. Watts expressed his fondness for this quirky moment, stating, “That is easily one of my favorite parts of the whole show. And I’m glad that it’s in the first episode just so we can get it out of the way. I’ve just always been fascinated by that weird little circus hologram.” Interestingly, the clip showcased in Skeleton Crew was not sourced from the original Holiday Special, as the nearly fifty-year-old footage was too low-resolution for modern standards. Instead, the Skeleton Crew team went the extra mile to recreate this iconic moment, meticulously replicating the Bob Mackie-designed costumes, enlisting their stunt coordinator (a seasoned veteran from Cirque du Soleil) to choreograph an entirely new dance routine, and having the composer re-arrange the music from the scene from scratch. This dedication to detail, although resulting in just a brief comedic moment, was essential to Watts: “We spent a lot of time and effort recreating that so much, just for that one little visual gag. But it makes me really happy, and it makes me wonder what that circus troupe is up to.”
Exploring the Legacy and Plot of ‘The Star Wars Holiday Special’
Set against the backdrop of the original Star Wars saga, the Holiday Special chronicles the adventures of the beloved characters as they attempt to transport Chewbacca back to his home planet of Kashyyyk in time for the Life Day holiday. This unique 1970s variety show format is interwoven with a series of comedic sketches and musical performances, starring icons like Bea Arthur as a singing bartender from the Cantina, Harvey Korman as an extraterrestrial chef, and memorable acts from Diahann Carroll and Jefferson Starship. Notably, it also features an animated segment that introduced audiences to the infamous Boba Fett for the very first time. Upon its singular airing in 1978, the special was met with immediate disdain and ridicule from both fans and creators of the Star Wars universe, leading to its absence from official releases or reruns; it continues to circulate in the form of bootlegged copies. However, the animated segment, titled The Story of the Faithful Wookiee, can now be streamed on Disney+, allowing a glimpse into this peculiar chapter of Star Wars history.
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew takes viewers on a thrilling journey with a group of children who venture beyond their suburban home planet, discovering a universe filled with adventures and challenges that await them. Collider’s Maggie Lovitt praised the show, describing it as “exactly what the franchise needs,” highlighting the fresh perspective it brings to the expansive Star Wars narrative.
The first two episodes of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew are currently available for streaming on Disney+, with new episodes set to launch every Tuesday. In stark contrast, the Star Wars Holiday Special remains elusive and is not accessible through any official streaming platforms. For the latest updates and news, be sure to follow Collider for all things Star Wars.
In The Star Wars Holiday Special, the cherished characters from the expansive Star Wars universe come together in a unique variety show format, where Chewbacca and Han Solo journey to Kashyyyk to celebrate the festive Life Day. This special blends musical performances, animated segments, and comedic skits, showcasing a fascinating intersection of science fiction and holiday merriment.
- Release Date
- November 17, 1978
- Directors
- Steve Binder, David Acomba
- Runtime
- 97 minutes
- Writers
- Rod Warren, Bruce Vilanch, Pat Proft, Leonard Ripps, Mitzie Welch
