With SKELETON CREW finished, it felt like a great time to dig into some of my deeper dives for easter eggs and to round up all of the introspection on this wonderful show into one long-ish essay. It is my belief that one of the biggest single collective influences on the show is actually Disneyland, Disney’s original theme park and Walt Disney’s original Magic Kingdom. Now I love Disney World but all of the rides and shows below were developed originally and specifically for Disneyland. Any 80s or 90s kid knows how much that destination meant to us, so seeing tributes pour out over the show, a show which celebrates 80s and 90s nostalgia, was both welcome and fit perfectly. There are four rides, that offer prominent placement and influence in the series – as they help illuminate the intersection that is now Disney and STAR WARS through Disney’s crown jewel theme park, Disneyland, in inventive and surprising ways.
1. PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN
The PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN ride at Disneyland has a long and storied history. It was the final ride conceived of and supervised by Walt Disney and opened just three months after his death. It opened in March of 1967, and in the years since, the ride has been updated and renovated several times over the years, most notably in 2006 when it was redesigned to incorporate elements from the PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN film franchise. In its almost 60 year history, the ride continues to be one of the most popular attractions at Disneyland, delighting guests of all ages with its swashbuckling adventure and memorable characters of pirates as they ransack and loot a Caribbean city on the Spanish Main.
With the ride, Jon Watts and the writers and directors of SKELETON CREW have found a visual and tonal template that recurs throughout the show but they have also found plenty of ways to homage and implement some of the ride’s scenes into the actual show.
In terms of dress, both Silvo/Brutus’ crew as well as Tak Rennod’s wardrobe seem to be culled from Pirates of the Caribbean and pirate lore in general. Captain Silvo (aka Jod Na Nawood, played by Jude Law) wears what is basically the space version of the tri-corner hat, used and seen in PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN ride, in the opening episode of the series, “This Could Be A Real Adventure.” And Tak Rennod’s dress and positioning within the Skull Ridge Mountain treasure room in Episode 5, “You Have A Lot To Learn About Pirates”, are eerily reminiscent of the cave treasure room scene in the PIRATES OF THE CARIBEEAN ride.
But there are also a few different moments that mimic the actual scenes of the ride. In Episode 2, “Way, Way Out Past The Barrier,” a scene evokes what is probably the most famous scene on the ride, that of the prisoners in the Spanish army’s Caribbean jail as they attempt to lure the dog to bring over the key. You can also hear the theme from the ride PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN as this scene opens, just in case you completely missed the reference.
Earlier in that same episode, “Way, Way Out Past The Barrier”, Neel bumps into a pair of pirates that look pulled from the caves in PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN:
Wim also puts a hat on that looks culled directly from the PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN ride’s costume department:
And later places one on Neel:
But there is also the previously mentioned treasure room inside of Skull Ridge Mountain (again in Episode 5, “You Have A Lot To Learn About Pirates”) which is influenced by the previously mentioned cave treasure room at the beginning of PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN ride.
And Skull Ridge Mountain’s treasure room also evokes the original pre-2007 ending of Pirates of the Caribbean (which unfortunately no longer exists as it has been replaced by a Johnny Depp animatronic) which featured two pirates ransacking a vault, with a helpless Spanish soldier tied up behind them. Sound familiar?
2. PETER PAN’S FLIGHT
PETER PAN’S FLIGHT first opened on July 17th, 1955 in tandem with Disneyland’s opening day. One of the original attractions in the park, the ride is based on the 1953 Disney animated film Peter Pan and takes guests on a journey through the magical world of Neverland. Featured prominently in pre-opening publicity for the park, the ride was one of the centerpieces of Fantasyland, which Disney himself looked as the place to showcase Disney movies (which would later invade the parks in all directions as IP).
The ride features several iconic scenes from the film, including the Darling children’s nursery, the flight over London, and the battle with Captain Hook. Most notably it includes the Skull Rock, an ominous influence on Skull Ridge Mountain’s design (Episode 5, “You Have A Lot To Lean About Pirates”), the resting place for Tak Rennod’s cache of treasure in SKELETON CREW. Furthermore, SM-33, Tak Rennod’s First Mate – has a name that is a clear reference to Smee, Captain Hook’s own first mate and who is also featured prominently in the ride.
No physical resemblance between the two (more on a visual influence for SM-33 later on), but the name and good natured but bumbling qualities of the two share an undeniable similarity.
3. STAR TOURS
STAR TOURS has long been a beloved attraction at Disneyland and an adored part of STAR WARS lore. STAR TOURS began as a way for new CEO Michael Eisner to infuse the IP of a younger generation back into Disney Parks and specifically Disneyland’s aging Tomorrowland. Much has been made on a false claim of the ride system for STAR TOURS being based on a pitch for THE BLACK HOLE. This is not true. Per THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER’s deep dive into the history of STAR TOURS, it originated as a roller coaster that would have a light side and dark side track and the car’s riders would vote on which path they would prefer to follow. But the tech for such a roller coaster would take too long to develop and implement.
So instead, Eisner turned to a report from an imagineer on flight simulators that could be used for commercial theme park attractions. Eisner then put the Walt Disney Imagineering team onto the case, asking them to work with Lucas to create a state of the art ride that would be nothing like anyone had ever seen before. After years of development and anticipation, STAR TOURS finally opened its doors to the public in January 1987 and the ride became an overwhelming success.
The original STAR TOURS attraction at Disneyland was a groundbreaking achievement, marking the first-ever collaboration between Disney and Lucasfilm. Its development began in the early 1980s, with George Lucas personally involved in shaping the ride’s concept and storyline. Imagineers worked tirelessly to create a thrilling and immersive experience that would transport guests into the Star Wars universe.
After years of development and anticipation, STAR TOURS finally opened its doors to the public in January 1987. The ride’s debut was met with immense excitement and fanfare, with fans eager to experience the groundbreaking attraction. STAR TOURS quickly became a massive success, drawing long lines and rave reviews from guests. Its innovative technology, captivating storyline, and seamless integration of the Star Wars universe set a new standard for theme park attractions and cemented its place as a beloved icon at Disneyland.
STAR TOURS created a few different original in-universe STAR WARS characters for its ride system including the RX-series droid, and specifically RX-24 aka Captain Rex that was the pilot for every ride. Voiced by the late great Paul Reubens, Captain Rex ushered a generation of STAR WARS riders through their adventure. While Rex was eventually replaced by C3-P0, he remained a fixture in the ride and now also appears as the DJ at Oga’s Cantina in Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland.
An RX-series droid is featured prominently in SKELETON CREW in Episode 1, “This Could Be A Real Adventure”, as the hover-bus driver for the at Attin students. Much like Captain Rex, he is awkward and an easy target, but also loveable.
Some of the STAR TOURS in-universe branding logos for the fictional airline have also been incorporated into the series, specifically into the jackets worn throughout the series by series duo-protagonists Fern and Wim. Take a look at Wim’s and especially Fern’s jacket below and specifically the patches on her upper right and left handed chest area near the lapels:
4. CAPTAIN EO
CAPTAIN EO was co-developed with Lucasfilm in the wake of the success that would become STAR TOURS as Disney looked to find more ways to put the mind and brand of Lucas into the parks while combining his ideas with the star power of Michael Jackson – who was also looking for a way to partner with Disney Parks. Jackson agreed to film a movie for Disney to be played exclusively in the parks, but wanted either George Lucas or Steven Spielberg to produce and creatively guide the film.
Eisner reached out to Lucas, who he was also developing STAR TOURS with, and coincidentally Lucas wanted to push the theatrical experience, and in so doing wrote a “short” film as a way, almost a beta test, to combine a high quality cinematic experience featuring state of the art projection and sound – with in-theater effects for Jackson’s project. This would become CAPTAIN EO.
Disneyland used the Tomorrowland Stage, an open air area under Space Mountain’s entryway and queue, to build a theatre from scratch that could accommodate the demands of Lucas and Coppola. The 17 minute 3D science fiction film opened at Disneyland on September 18th, 1986 – in fact almost four months BEFORE STAR TOURS – in the new “Tomorrowland Theatre” complete with lighting, smoke and laser effects that were incorporated and timed to the film. The film was shot by legendary cinematographer Vittorio Storaro (Coppola’s masterpiece APOCALYPSE NOW and Bernardo Bertolucci’s THE CONFORMIST). It was a critical and commercial success, and it quickly became one of the most popular attractions at Disneyland. After EO proved to be a runaway success at the mother park, a version was later cloned in Florida at EPCOT.
The film starred Jackson as Captain EO, a space adventurer who travels to the planet of Ork to rescue a kidnapped princess. Although not directly tied to the STAR WARS universe, its DNA is very similar to STAR WARS. It was produced and written by STAR WARS auteur George Lucas and directed by his colleague Francis Ford Coppola. Coppola long rumored to be in the running to direct STAR WARS sequels to the point that many have questioned if different characters or species in CAPTAIN EO might be the same as those seen in STAR WARS projects – or if the CAPTAIN EO universe might be some part of the STAR WARS galaxy previously unexplored or a part of the galaxy centuries ahead or behind the STAR WARS Skywalker saga.
Neel/Hooter
Four characters in this movie provide visual and spiritual influence for SKELETON CREW. The first and most discussed is Hooter (played by Tony Cox). Hooter was an elephant that was part of Captain EO’s crew, long thought to be a distant relation of Max Rebo, band leader and keyboardist at Jabba the Hutt’s Palace in RETURN OF THE JEDI. But Lucasfilm has confirmed that they are in fact different species. Now some STAR WARS fans first through that Neel in SKELETON CREW was of the same species as Max Rebo. But SKELETON CREW creator Jon Watts denied this. Hooter speaks basic just like Neel and at one point in CAPTAIN EO says, “I don’t speak through my trunk” similar to Neel’s own assertions in SKELETON CREW. And Jon Watts did not deny that Neel and Hooter might be of a similar species. Now Neel does not really look like Hooter in his trunk but he definitely shares personality and physical details that are undeniable.
SM-33/Major Domo
In the narrative of SKELETON CREW, SM-33 is the Onyx Cinder’s navigational droid. He is an old crusty veteran, bent on following protocol over rationality – which makes him vulnerable to manipulation by both the kids who take over the Cinder and ladder by Jod Na Nawood’s nefarious intentions. SM-33 is similar to Major Domo (played by Gary DePew) in CAPTAIN EO in appearance and disposition. Major Domo is tough, procedurally oriented, and there to bolster the crew – much like SM-33 in SKELETON CREW. Plus their resemblance, like others in this essay, is undeniable.
The Supervisor/The Supreme Leader
The Supervisor is the droid leader of at Attin, a cybernetic robot that is intended to guide the humans of at Attin on their “Great Work” – a way to codify their printing of republic secrets and a secret that is at Attin for all the humans on the planet buy into it. When the Supervisor appeared on the final episode, entombed in a chamber or wires and vacuum tubes, it was immediately recognizable as a visual homage to the look of the Supreme Leader (played by Angelica Huston) in CAPTAIN EO. Both the Supervisor and the Supreme Leader are powered and supported by a similar series of vacuum tubes throughout her lair. In addition, while the Supervisor was a Wizard of Oz-like creation that was not the amazing impermeable know-it-all that it was thought of in at Attin, so too is the Supreme Leader not actually the “bad guy” that we the audience think she is, but rather a princess trapped in the curse of this existence.
Fuzzball/Kh’ymm
Fuzzball is a small but mighty owl/rat-like creature that is also part of Captain EO’s crew. Fuzzball sits on Captain EO’s shoulder but also flies around, uses the periscope on EO’s spaceship, and memorably gives the big 3D goodbye to the audience at the end of the film. Fuzzball also speaks basic, or english, and seems to be a spiritual if not direct relation to SKELETON CREW’s Kh’ymm, the owl like creature on the observatory moon that operates telescopes (similar to Fuzzball’s periscope), and eventually proves to be a key alliance for the children of SKELETON CREW.
Most importantly – Fuzzball, or a creature that is the same species as Fuzzball is seen in Skeleton Crew, held in a tank (presumably as a prisoner) in a pet store on Borgo Prime, the port inhabited by pirates and where the kids of Skeleton Crew meet up with Silvo aka Jod for the first time.
I know this is an easter egg, a fan shout out, and also definitive proof that CAPTAIN EO is a major influence on this series. But this might be the most conclusive evidence yet that STAR WARS and CAPTAIN EO do share the same universe after all! Pretty huge.
Why are THESE rides important for SKELETON CREW
The importance of Pirates of the Caribbean and Peter Pan’s Flight being an influence and inspiration for what is essentially a space pirates TV series is basically self-evident. These are Disney movies in the genre of pirates and Skeleton Crew is a Disney TV series that is an unabashed descendant. But what is the point of STAR TOURS and CAPTAIN EO in SKELETON CREW? Sure STAR TOURS is a STAR WARS ride – but why this STAR WARS? Why not other points of reference like CLONE WARS or even more recent points of reference like AHSOKA? SKELETON CREW is also inspired by 1980s cinematic storytelling, and specifically movies like THE GOONIES and EXPLORERS, and ET: THE EXTRA TERRESTRIAL as well as the commercial cinema of Joe Pytka – which I discussed in this article HERE. SKELETON CREW is also part of Disney’s STAR WARS canon. And when you look for an overlap of Disney and STAR WARS during the 1980s, the best examples of this intersection are STAR TOURS and CAPTAIN EO. Moreover, for 80s kids, Disneyland was THE place and these are both attractions that were part of Disneyland’s legendary status during the 1980s. The same kids who would be watching ET and THE GOONIES would be riding, or dreaming of riding, STAR TOURS and watching CAPTAIN EO.
The iconic attractions PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, STAR TOURS, and CAPTAIN EO have left an indelible mark on popular culture, captivating audiences and inspiring countless creators over the years. Their influence continues to be felt today, as evidenced by the recent release of SKELETON CREW, which pays homage to these beloved attractions and ensures that their legacy endures for a new generation of fans.
The immersive storytelling, groundbreaking technology, and sheer entertainment value of these attractions have solidified their place in the annals of popular culture. PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, with its swashbuckling adventure and memorable characters, has become a cultural touchstone, spawning a successful film franchise and countless imitations. STAR TOURS, with its pioneering use of motion simulation and 3D visuals, set the standard for immersive theme park experiences and paved the way for a new era of interactive entertainment. CAPTAIN EO, with its star-studded cast, dazzling special effects, and infectious music, pushed the boundaries of what was possible in a 3D film and captivated audiences with its unique blend of science fiction and fantasy.
These attractions have not only entertained audiences but have also inspired countless creators, shaping the landscape of popular culture in profound ways. Their influence can be seen in films, television shows, video games, and other forms of media, as creators draw inspiration from their iconic characters, settings, and themes. The recent release of SKELETON CREW is a testament to the enduring power of these attractions, as it incorporates elements from each of them into its narrative and visual style. By paying homage to these beloved attractions, SKELETON CREW not only honors their legacy but also introduces them to a new generation of fans, ensuring that their influence continues to be felt for years to come.
No Scoops Club 