We’re about to drop out of hyperspace and dive into Skeleton Crew, and as the promotions builds and builds, Variety catches up with the incredibly busy star of the show Jude Law, who delves – but not too deep – into the show and how fascinated he was to be a part of the GFFA.
In December, after some delays, Disney+ will finally drop “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew,” with Law as the adult presiding over a troupe of four children who embark on their own intergalactic journey. Law only said yes after several long conversations with Jon Watts, the director of Tom Holland’s “Spider-Man” films, and the series’ creator. “I don’t think I would have dived in willy-nilly,” Law says. “I wanted it to be right. I didn’t want to be the guy that dropped the ball on ‘Star Wars.’”
While he produced “Black Rabbit” and “The Order,” Law was an actor for hire on “Skeleton Crew.” But he still weighed in on critical elements of his character, possible Jedi Jod Na Nawood. For instance, he refused to do what he calls “acting with a carpet.”
“They said, ‘Oh, you’re going to wear a wig — we want lovely, tousled hair.’ And I was like, ‘No, I think he should have really short hair — he wears a helmet.’ That took some persuasion.”
Growing up in South London, the son of two teachers, Law had loved the original “Star Wars” movies. So he was giddy to see firsthand how a “Star Wars” project was made. “It was a really interesting process,” Law says. “It’s technically complicated to get those things right — you’re dealing with animatronics and puppets and machines and huge, complicated worlds. I’m the guy that wants to see how the wizard does it.”
Law comes alive discussing the intricacies of making the TV series. “It all has to go through the ‘Star Wars’ filter,” he says, his eyes flickering as if he’s trying to solve a riddle. “Like, there are no buttons in ‘Star Wars’ — only ties. Buckles? Yes. Velcro? Yes. Although, I don’t think you ever see the Velcro.”
Law then starts to dissect the cinematography of “Star Wars.” “There are certain shots they don’t allow you to do if you’re the director. You can’t pass through the glass of the spaceship; you have to stay on the outside or inside. I love that. You see the shot and go, ‘Oh, I’m in “Star Wars.”’”
How was it being in possession of the Force?
“Who says I’ve got the Force?” Law asks and laughs.
