Skeleton Crew: This Oscar-Winning Duo Should Helm Their Own Star Wars Film

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Summary

  • The Daniels, known for bold and heartfelt films, directed an episode of Skeleton Crew, showcasing their storytelling strengths.
  • Lucasfilm faces uncertainty with shelved projects, but potential in directors like the Daniels for a fresh and promising Star Wars film.
  • Daniels’ episode highlights strong performances and potential for thrilling action sequences in a hypothetical Star Wars film.

As a cinephile who has spent countless hours immersed in the rich tapestry of storytelling that the galaxy far, far away has to offer, I can confidently say that the Daniels are the perfect pair to breathe new life into the Star Wars saga. Their unique blend of heartfelt character development and visually stunning action sequences is akin to a Jedi’s mastery over the Force – an art form that George Lucas himself would no doubt appreciate.

The latest Star Wars live-action TV show, titled “Skeleton Crew,” released its fourth episode a week ago. This was the fourth episode of the first season, named “Can’t Say I Remember No At Attin.” Notably, this episode was directed by two of the most thrilling directors who have ever directed any episode in George Lucas’ galaxy far, far away, and they are also some of the most innovative creative minds in the industry. These directors are Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, commonly known as the Daniels.

Over the past decade, the Daniels have been known for their daring, unusual, and emotionally resonant original films, especially those with deeply developed characters. In 2016, they made a big splash in the industry with their debut film, “Swiss Army Man“, an offbeat, humorous A24 production starring Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe. However, it wasn’t until 2022 that their second creation, “Everything Everywhere All At Once“, truly captured the hearts of critics and audiences. This film surpassed all expectations, becoming A24’s top-grossing movie ever, and garnered seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.

A Star Wars Cinematic Drought

Five years ago, Lucasfilm put out a new Star Wars movie in cinemas. The Rise of Skywalker, directed by J.J. Abrams, made over $1 billion at the worldwide box office, but received mixed reviews at best, and ended the controversial sequel trilogy on a disappointing note. Fortunately, The Mandalorian premiered on Disney Plus around the same time, helping to revive the franchise’s fortunes in 2019.

Ever since then, Disney Plus has become the sole platform for releasing fresh Star Wars content, featuring original series such as The Book of Boba Fett, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Andor, Ahsoka, The Acolyte, and now Skeleton Crew. These shows offer fans thrilling galactic journeys. Although Star Wars has been instrumental in Disney Plus’ streaming collection, Lucasfilm has found it challenging to produce new movies for theaters. However, the forthcoming The Mandalorian and Grogu, directed by Jon Favreau, will be the first cinematic release in almost seven years when it premieres in theaters in 2026.

In addition to “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” there are several other “Star Wars” films in the works. James Mangold, who directed “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” is slated to lead a film that tells the tale of the first Jedi. On the other hand, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, known for her work on Marvel Studios’ “Ms. Marvel,” has been chosen to direct a film set 15 years after the events of “The Rise of Skywalker.” Daisy Ridley will return as Rey, now leading the new Jedi Order in this film. Other upcoming projects include a film by the director of “Deadpool & Wolverine,” Shawn Levy, and a new trilogy penned by Simon Kinberg.

Lucasfilm Still Has Cold Feet

As a fervent Star Wars enthusiast, I can’t help but feel a mix of anticipation and caution when I read about upcoming projects. While it’s thrilling to imagine a promising cinematic future for this beloved franchise, I’ve learned to be cautious. The last few films have garnered varying responses from fans, and sadly, an unfortunate number of Star Wars movies have been announced but never made it to the big screen.

As a devoted fan, I’ve followed the exciting journey of various Star Wars creatives. Initially, Rian Johnson, the genius behind The Last Jedi, was set to lead a new trilogy, but he ventured off to create his unique franchise with Knives Out instead. Similarly, the creative minds behind Game of Thrones, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, were bound for a series of films with Lucasfilm, but they ultimately called off their contracts. A Rogue Squadron film, slated for a 2023 release under the guidance of Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins, has been put on hold. And as for that film that Thor: Love and Thunder director Taika Waititi was developing, it seems like we haven’t heard any updates about it in a while.

Lucasfilm has invited various talented directors to helm episodes of their original Star Wars series, showcasing unique perspectives and creative flair. Directors like Rick Famuyiwa, Bryce Dallas Howard, Robert Rodriguez, Lee Isaac Chung, Jon Watts, David Lowery, and the Daniels have all taken turns in the director’s seat. The Daniels, who recently worked on an episode of Skeleton Crew, displayed their distinctive storytelling abilities reminiscent of their previous works. If given a suitable canvas, these skills could create a captivating new Star Wars film.

The Force Is Strong With The Daniels

Daniels have an impressive knack for eliciting fervent acting from their cast members, a talent evident in the dedication displayed by Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe in “Swiss Army Man,” as well as the Academy Award-winning portrayals of Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, and Jamie Lee Curtis in “Everything Everywhere All At Once.” Should any actor be chosen for a potential “Star Wars” film directed by them, their performances would undoubtedly be remarkable.

In the episode of “Skeleton Crew” featuring the Daniels family, it was the child actors who truly shone. A touching moment between Neel (Robert Timothy Smith) and Hayna (Hala Finley) showcased tender emotions that moved viewers. This scene added depth to the characters’ motivations and longings, striking a chord with many, all while effectively advancing the storyline.

Absolutely, when it comes to any “Star Wars” movie, action is certainly essential. Characters and narrative are undoubtedly important, but fans crave thrilling science fiction action scenes. The Daniels have demonstrated this ability too. In the film “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” there are electrifying martial arts battles that could easily translate into a galaxy far, far away. Imagine Ke Huy Quan’s fanny pack fight in the IRS office, but instead of a fanny pack, he’s wielding a Lightsaber. In fact, casting Ke Huy Quan as a Jedi would be an incredibly exciting prospect.

In the “Skeleton Crew” episode by the Daniels, the brief bursts of activity give a hint of the excitement they could potentially bring to “Star Wars”. Specifically, the near-chaos displayed by character SM-33 (Nick Frost) towards the end showcases the kind of zany, character-driven action that would reach even greater proportions in a feature film.

These Are The Directors You’re Looking For

It would certainly be a daring and thrilling move if Lucasfilm decided to create a standalone Star Wars film for the Daniels. To maximize their creativity, it’d be best to provide them with a clean slate, allowing them to delve into any era of the franchise they prefer, and introduce fresh characters and tales. The duo is presently engaged in their next venture under a five-year deal with Universal Pictures, so maybe they could build upon their work on Skeleton Crew and propose an idea for an original Star Wars film. In this way, these directors could pay tribute to the franchise by crafting innovative narratives that would undoubtedly gain George Lucas’s approval.

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2024-12-22 04:04