Exclusive First Look at Jaleel White as a Space Pirate in Star Wars: Skeleton Crew

Credit: Unsplash

The Star Wars universe is about to introduce a new crew of unsavory characters, and fans are in for a treat. In an exciting reveal, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew has dropped exclusive photos showcasing Jaleel White—best known as Urkel from Family Matters—making his debut as a fearsome space pirate named Gunter.

The highly anticipated Skeleton Crew series, set in the same timeline as The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and Ahsoka, follows four children who stumble upon a secret and embark on an adventurous journey across the galaxy. Their path, however, leads them straight into a chaotic and lawless galaxy full of dangers, including an encounter with a crew of pirates that fans won’t want to miss.

In this first exclusive look, Jaleel White’s Gunter is shown alongside some menacing company. The pirate group includes Vane (played by Marti Matulis), who The Mandalorian fans will recognize from his clashes with Din Djarin and Greef Karga. Joining them are Brutus (voiced by Fred Tatasciore and played by Stephen Oyoung), Pax (Mike Estes), and Chaelt (Dale Soules from Orange is the New Black). Together, this ragtag crew brings a resurgence of piracy to a galaxy lacking in Imperial control after the fall of the second Death Star.

Creators Jon Watts and Christopher Ford spoke about the significance of pirates in the Star Wars universe. “Pirates have always been a big part of Star Wars lore, and we wanted to explore that lawless side of the galaxy,” said Ford. “With the Empire gone, these are the kind of characters who thrive.”

Jaleel White’s transformation from the beloved sitcom star to a tough, vaguely cyborg-esque pirate adds a surprising twist to the series. The creators explained their inspiration for the character, citing the influence of LucasArts’ Monkey Island video games. “We wanted to combine classic Star Wars pirates with the charm and chaos of Monkey Island,” said Watts.

Fans can look forward to more pirate action as Skeleton Crew dives deeper into the wild and untamed parts of the galaxy. The involvement of Star Wars executive producers Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau has ensured that the show stays true to the spirit of the franchise while pushing creative boundaries.

“This is going to be a thrilling new adventure in the Star Wars galaxy,” said Watts. “With the guidance of Dave Filoni, we’re blending fresh ideas with established lore, and we’re excited for fans to see where this journey takes them.”

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew will debut on Disney+, and fans can expect plenty of surprises as new characters—both heroic and villainous—make their mark on the ever-expanding galaxy far, far away.

Juliana A. September 16, 2024