How Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Revives the Infamous Holiday Special and Brings Legends Back to Life

In a galaxy not so far away, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew is set to land on Disney Plus on December 3, 2023, and it’s already making waves in the hyperspace of Star Wars chatter. Set in the post-Return of the Jedi but pre-The Force Awakens timeline, this much-anticipated series promises plenty of Easter eggs, Legends callbacks, and yes—wait for it—a nod to the Star Wars Holiday Special. That’s right, the infamous 1978 TV special that George Lucas famously tried to bury deeper than the Sarlacc Pit is getting its moment in the twin suns.

Here’s a closer look at what makes Skeleton Crew a standout (and borderline bonkers) addition to the Star Wars universe.

The Plot: Lost Kids in a Found Galaxy

Skeleton Crew isn’t your typical Star Wars story of lightsabers, Sith Lords, or galactic rebellions. Instead, it follows four kids who get lost in the galaxy after making a mysterious discovery on their home planet. The premise feels almost Spielberg-esque—a sort of Stranger Things meets The Mandalorian. This kid-centered adventure unfolds in an era ripe for storytelling, a galaxy recovering from the Empire’s collapse and tiptoeing toward the rise of the First Order.

With its placement between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens, the show has ample room to sprinkle in juicy nods to Star Wars lore. But it’s the surprise inclusion of The Star Wars Holiday Special that’s stealing headlines.

Rebuilding the Holiday Special: A Herculean Effort

Let’s talk about The Star Wars Holiday Special. If you haven’t seen it, congratulations—you’ve dodged one of the most cringe-worthy hours in television history. Originally aired in 1978, it introduced us to Chewbacca’s awkward family life and an animated Boba Fett debut, but its reception was so abysmal that Lucasfilm quickly disavowed it. Think of it as the Ewok movie’s embarrassing older sibling.

Yet, Skeleton Crew is boldly revisiting this black sheep of the franchise. According to Jon Watts, the show’s co-creator, including a reference to the special wasn’t as simple as dusting off some old VHS tapes. The team had to completely recreate the sequence from scratch—costumes, choreography, music, and all. Watts described the painstaking process:

“We had to dig up the original designs of the costumes, which were in the Lucasfilm archive. Get all the original specs. We had to redo the music because there was no copy of the actual score anywhere… It ended up being 20x more work than we anticipated.”

Even the stunt coordinator had to step in as the main performer to nail the acrobatic routine. Clearly, the effort was monumental, but for Watts, it was worth every bit of elbow grease.

Star Wars Legends: A Welcome Return to Canon

Beyond the Holiday Special reference, Skeleton Crew is also mining the rich veins of Star Wars Legends—the expansive collection of books, video games, and comics that Disney sidelined in 2014. For fans still bitter about the de-canonization, this is a breath of fresh air. Watts and the Lucasfilm design team worked closely to sprinkle in deep-cut Legends references, even getting the green light to incorporate specific characters.

“As soon as they knew we were comfortable with more obscure, deep-cut references, that really opened up the floodgates,” Watts shared.

This opens the door to countless possibilities. Could we see a cameo from Dash Rendar? Maybe a nod to the Old Republic? The potential for blending Legends material with modern canon has Star Wars enthusiasts buzzing.

The Significance of the Holiday Special Nod

The inclusion of the Holiday Special reference feels like a wink to the franchise’s self-aware side. It’s not about redeeming the special—it’s more about embracing the full spectrum of Star Wars history, warts and all. While the Holiday Special’s reputation won’t suddenly flip into masterpiece territory, Skeleton Crew’s acknowledgment ensures it remains part of the conversation, a quirky piece of the franchise’s tapestry.

And let’s face it, Star Wars thrives on nostalgia. The galaxy far, far away isn’t just about epic battles and philosophical debates; it’s about shared memories, even the awkward ones. By revisiting the Holiday Special, Skeleton Crew proves it’s unafraid to embrace Star Wars’ messy, charming legacy.

Why This Matters for Star Wars Fans

Skeleton Crew is more than a story about lost kids—it’s a testament to the evolving nature of the Star Wars franchise. It’s about taking risks, revisiting the obscure corners of the galaxy, and daring to weave them into new narratives. Whether it’s a nod to Legends material or a recreation of an infamously bad TV special, the show seems poised to bridge the gap between eras, appealing to lifelong aficionados and curious newcomers alike.

Conclusion: A New Hope for Nostalgia

With Skeleton Crew, Disney and Lucasfilm are showing that no part of Star Wars history is off-limits—not even the most cringeworthy ones. By carefully curating Easter eggs, mining Legends for gold, and reviving the Holiday Special (in spirit, if not in full), the series is shaping up to be a love letter to the franchise’s deep lore. It might even remind us why we fell in love with Star Wars in the first place: it’s weird, it’s wonderful, and it’s unapologetically itself.

So, buckle up for December 3. Whether you’re in it for the nostalgia, the lore, or just to see how the heck they pulled off this Holiday Special homage, Skeleton Crew promises to be one wild ride. After all, in the Star Wars universe, even the oddest missteps can become cherished moments in the saga.