Star Wars: Skeleton Crew has surprised fans as it introduced quirky characters such as the grumpy robot SM-33 (voiced by Nick Frost) and various aliens. In the third episode of the new Star Wars series, two notable stars were hidden behind the characters they voiced. Arrested Development star Alia Shawkat voiced the owl-like creature Kh'ymm. The other major cameo, however, was much more obscure, despite featuring a popular actor.
That big cameo is shown during the scene that featured Jude Law's Jod trying to liberate SM-33. When Jod sneaks back in the pirate outpost, and gets to the droid depot, he runs into Benjar Pranic (voiced by Alfred Molina), an old pirate crewmate from his time as Captain Silvo. While Jod is trying to bring SM-33 to his ship, Benjar takes the time to listen to Jod's concerns, but even though he's displeased with Brutus (voiced by Fred Tatasciore), he ends up betraying Jod and reveals that he's alerted the guards of Jod's escape.
Pranic is a member of the Ishi Tib species, which appeared alongside Jabba in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. The creature doesn't sound familiar with his heavy cockney accent, so it's until the credits roll that we find out that it was Alfred Molina who voiced Pranic.
Molina, who's well-known for playing Doctor Octopus in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 2, reprised his villainous role for Spider-Man: No Way Home, directed by Jon Watts. Watts is also the co-creator of Skeleton Crew, so it's nice seeing him and Molina working together again after they helped break box office records in the Spider-Man film. A unique voice role like this is nothing new 71-year-old actor. In recent years, he performed as a voice actor for animated shows such as Rick and Morty, Gravity Falls, Robot Chicken, and Harley Quinn. He also narrated Harold and the Purple Crayon.
What is Skeleton Crew about?
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew blends a coming-of-age story with space adventure. The show represents a significant departure from familiar Star Wars narratives, focusing on personal growth and discovery over galactic politics. The official synopsis of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew reads:
When four kids make a mysterious discovery on their seemingly safe home planet, they get lost in a strange and dangerous galaxy. Finding their way home, and meeting unlikely allies and enemies will be a greater adventure than they ever imagined.
Skeleton Crew stars Jude Law as Jod Na Nawood, the captain of the crew of galaxy-venturing kids: Wim (Ravi Cabot-Conyers), Fern (Ryan Kiera Armstrong), KB (Kyriana Kratter), and Neel (Robert Timothy Smith).
Skeleton Crew Episode 4 is scheduled to premiere on Disney+ on Tuesday, December 17.
