Skeleton Crew’s Jod Na Nawood Could Be The Franchise’s Next Darth Vader

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Summary

  • Jude Law’s Jod is poised to become the big bad in the finale of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew.
  • Jod’s redemption arc could mirror that of Darth Vader, hinting at a potential change of heart.
  • Audiences speculate that Jod may be an Order 66 survivor possibly putting him in a moral dilemma.

In the distant galaxy, another major antagonist has been introduced. Originally portrayed as a heroic figure reminiscent of Obi-Wan Kenobi in “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew”, Jude Law’s character, Jod Na Nawood, is poised to become the primary villain by the series finale. Every great “Star Wars” story requires an evil character for fans to despise, and despite Jod’s apparent Jedi abilities, it seems that directors Jon Watts and Christopher Ford are positioning him as the series’ very own version of Darth Vader.

In his swashbuckling pirate persona, Jod Na Nawood appears driven solely by his insatiable desire for the riches of At Attin. This single-minded pursuit may not involve the malicious ambition to eradicate Jedi like Darth Vader, but the penultimate episode of Skeleton Crew hinted at a similarly heartbreaking past and potentially a tragic fate for Jod that mirrors Anakin Skywalker’s transformation into his armored counterpart.

Skeleton Crew’s Order 66 Throwback

On January 7th, in the episode titled “We’re Gonna Be in So Much Trouble”, our youthful band of heroes returned to their planet At Attin and met up with their parents momentarily in the Imperial Mint hidden beneath it. However, their joyful reunion was disrupted by Jod, a character who had earlier warned that he would endanger the parents if they didn’t assist him. The episode concluded with Jod brandishing a blue lightsaber, an item he had stolen from Tak Rennod’s hideout on Lanupa.

Astute viewers swiftly picked up on what could be two subtle references to the contentious “Revenge of the Sith” (2005), as the ending scene echoed an earlier shot in this episode. Following the decapitation of SM-33 with a lightsaber, Jod raised it towards the children, reminiscent of Anakin’s scene at the Jedi Temple during Order 66 when he approached the Younglings after falling. Similarly to “Revenge of the Sith”, episode 7 of “Skeleton Crew” concluded with an unseen character wielding a lightsaber, implying they were about to perform a questionable action.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but feel that the decision in “Revenge of the Sith” not to depict Anakin killing the Younglings makes their fate all the more chilling. Similarly, the suspense left by the penultimate episode of “Skeleton Crew,” with its ominous hints about Jod potentially harming children or their families, creates a palpable tension that leaves one on edge. Although I sincerely hope these fears prove unfounded, it’s undeniably an effective way to end episode 7. Moreover, the intriguing speculation circulating among fans suggests that Jod could be an Order 66 survivor himself, which adds another layer of mystery and anticipation to the storyline.

As Jod scolded Wim (Ravi Cabot-Conyers) on board the Onyx Cinder, it seemed as though his words were a reflection of deeper emotions, almost as if he was expressing feelings beyond his immediate response.

Poor boy…What exactly are you going to do? You’re all weak. Weak, sheltered, spoiled children.

From a subtle perspective, some people are interpreting that character named Jod (or his name) might be re-experiencing the traumatic events of Order 66, where he was powerless to save his friends from the rampage of Anakin Skywalker who had lost control. The timelines nearly align: the story in “Skeleton Crew” unfolds in 9 ABY, making it 28 years post-Order 66. Given that Jude Law is 52 in reality, though he might have been a bit old to be classified as a Youngling, he could still have been within the temple at that time, which would make him one of the growing number of Jedi who managed to survive the massacre.

Reflecting on the numerous survivors from Palpatine’s reign, such as Ahsoka Tano, Gungi the Wookiee, Cal Kestis, and even Reva (Moses Ingram) from the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, I can’t help but wonder if Jod shares a similar tale. However, given that Reva’s twist was only recently unveiled in the same series, it seems improbable that Jod would also be a survivor. Yet, considering Mapuzo’s Hidden Path revealed countless surviving Jedi, anything is possible. If Jod’s Jedi training was abruptly halted, it could account for his possession of powers yet his reluctance to embrace the title of a full-fledged Jedi.

Jod Na Nawood Is Due a Darth Vader Redemption

Regarding theories beyond Order 66, it seems more plausible that Jod Na Nawood is following a path similar to Darth Vader. The prequels showed us that Anakin Skywalker wasn’t always the terrifying villain he became; he was once a young boy from Tatooine with aspirations of being a Jedi. However, he strayed from his path and embraced a life of wickedness. Given Jod’s displayed powers, it’s possible that he could have been a promising young apprentice like Anakin, although we’re unsure about his transformation into the pirate seen in Skeleton Crew. Just as there was still some good left in Anakin at the end, Jod might also be on a path towards redemption leading up to the final chapter.

In the surprising climax of the 1983 movie “Return of the Jedi,” it was revealed that Darth Vader had been manipulated all along by Emperor Palpatine. When Luke Skywalker’s life was in jeopardy, Anakin’s inherent goodness emerged. Prior to his transformation into a villain, one could argue that he appeared genuinely fond of the children, even going so far as to risk his own life to protect them. However, it’s debatable whether this affection was genuine or if it was merely a ploy to reach the mythical treasure of At Attin. Yet, there’s no evidence to support the existence of such a treasure. Nawood has made threats against the children on multiple occasions, but thus far, he has not actually harmed them.

Beyond the protective walls of At Attin, Nawood’s rebellious pirate crew lurks, eager to raid the treasures within. As he navigates towards them, it’s uncertain whether his motives align with those of the people of At Attin. There are striking similarities between him and Captain Jack Sparrow from “Pirates of the Caribbean,” who despite his self-centered exterior, harbored a hidden sense of righteousness. In the event of a confrontation between Nawood’s pirate crew and the people of At Attin, Jod might choose to risk his life to protect the children. However, there’s also a possibility that he is merely a rogue, planning to harm Wim, Fern, KB, Neel, and their families.

In a potential twist for “The Mandalorian” and Grogu, there’s speculation that the “Skeleton Crew” children could make another appearance. However, with the cancellation of “The Acolyte” and the ongoing development of numerous Star Wars movies and TV series, it seems Disney is pouring all its focus into the Mandoverse. This phase of Star Wars post-“Return of the Jedi” appears to be the most profitable currently, and this is where the “Skeleton Crew” story takes place. If Jod manages redemption without meeting the same fate as Vader on the Death Star II, there’s a strong possibility he could return to guide the children on future adventures reminiscent of “The Goonies” in the near future of Star Wars.

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2025-01-12 00:10