Is the Star Wars galaxy really big enough for The Daniels? Or is it about to get shaken up like never before? If you heard a disturbance in the Force, don’t worry — it’s just two guys doing cartwheels through hyperspace and, wow, do they bring some energy! It’s time to buckle in and take a wild hyperspace ride through the story of Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, the eccentric masterminds known as “The Daniels.” These two brought us the zany multiversal saga “Everything Everywhere All At Once.” Now, they’ve hopped over to direct a much-anticipated episode of “Skeleton Crew,” and fans are buzzing. Let’s dig into how these filmmakers landed in a galaxy far, far away, and what kind of mayhem — they might call it magic — they’re about to unleash on the franchise.
From Swiss Army Men and Music Videos to Space Wizards
First, a little rewind. If you’ve watched some of the wildest music videos of the 2010s — think Foster the People’s “Houdini” or DJ Snake’s “Turn Down for What”—then you’ve already glimpsed the early sparks of The Daniels’ creative fire. These videos didn’t just go viral. They lit up award circuits, nabbing Grammy nominations and turning heads all through the industry. The Daniels didn’t stop there, though. Their jump into feature films? Yeah, that was “Swiss Army Man” in 2016 — a film where Daniel Radcliffe plays a farting corpse. Let’s be honest, only The Daniels could sell quirky, moving, heartfelt scenes in a plot like that.
But everything really did change everywhere (yep, pun intended) when “Everything Everywhere All At Once” exploded onto the screens in 2022. This wasn’t just another indie darling. The film turned A24 into an Oscar powerhouse. The Daniels walked away with Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay. And, for the record, that’s a sweep almost as impressive as landing a perfect Death Star trench run. Hollywood saw their boldness and weirdness and said more, please.
Meanwhile, Somewhere in the Outskirts of the Star Wars Galaxy…
Enter Jon Watts, the mind behind the recent Spider-Man movies, and co-creator of “Skeleton Crew.” Alongside Chris Ford, Watts wanted the new Disney+ series to feel very Amblin — think “E.T.” but with a dash more hyperspace drama. He needed the unconventional, the visually striking, the downright bonkers… basically, he needed The Daniels. Here’s the wild twist: they got The Daniels on board before “Everything Everywhere All At Once” broke the Oscars. Now that’s good Jedi foresight.
Chris Ford, reflecting on their director’s lineup, admitted, “When we hired them, that was before ‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’ came out. And we knew they would be awesome, just their whole aesthetic is so original and amazing.” (starwars.com) Watts wanted a lineup that could twist and turn storytelling on its head, and The Daniels delivered.
Meet the Galaxy’s Freshest Directing Duo: Episode 4, “Can’t Say I Remember No At Attin”
The Daniels took the helm of Episode 4, a standalone tale titled “Can’t Say I Remember No At Attin” (and good luck getting that title out of your head). And here’s what’s fascinating — they basically took the kids at the center of “Skeleton Crew” and marooned them on a planet they’ve never seen, faced with a sticky war they can barely understand, and then sent them off at the end. It’s exactly the sort of bottle episode recipe that lets oddballs like Kwan and Scheinert mix up the formula. As Scheinert put it, “One of the appealing things right from the get-go was that they told us our episode was a standalone where the kids show up on a planet they’ve never been to. And they leave that planet at the end. So it’d kind of be our homework to figure out an approach to that.” (starwars.com)
Now, don’t get the wrong idea — it wasn’t all madcap improvisation. Both Daniels placed massive value in collaboration. Daniel Kwan gushed about the crew, “One of the greatest things about working on this show is actually just working with this crew. Everyone here is so talented and has such a wealth of experience that I felt like we were learning new things every day.” (starwars.com) It’s not just about whims. These are pros, eager to soak up the magic of a legendary galaxy, then turn it upside down.
Where Absurdity and Heart Collide — Star Wars Gets a Dose of Daniels
The Daniels’ signature flair thrums through Episode 4 like a saboteur droid with a sense of humor. The narrative follows the young Skeleton Crew as they stumble upon a war-ravaged world embroiled in conflicts between the Troik and the Hatton. This isn’t your usual good-versus-evil format, either. The Daniels push viewers to face some sticky questions about privilege, mistakes, and moral gray areas. They know how to juggle many tones — absurd sight gags, irreverent banter, and sudden, heartfelt pathos. If classic Star Wars is a straight shot of hope, The Daniels serve it spiked with existential philosophy and a splash of surreal fun.
Fans and critics caught the difference. Some called it one of the boldest Star Wars episodes ever. Others even wondered if Lucasfilm should just let The Daniels play in the sandbox full-time. Either way, the duo’s episode is impossible to ignore. (butwhytho.net/2025/01/skeleton-crew-directors-star-wars)
Lucasfilm Takes the Training Wheels Off
If you’ve ever wondered whether Lucasfilm would ever really, truly “get weird,” here’s your answer. Bringing in The Daniels wasn’t a cautious experiment. It was a leap off a 50-foot Sarlacc pit. So far, it’s paying off. There’s actual precedent for this risk-taking, too. “Star Wars: Visions” already let multiple international animation studios reimagine the galaxy. Now, Skeleton Crew — especially in The Daniels’ episode — proves that live-action Star Wars isn’t just for Jedi or bounty hunters. It’s also for outcasts, oddballs, and anyone who dreams up new shapes for the Force.
- Lucasfilm handpicked The Daniels ahead of their Oscar victory.
- Their episode tackles unfamiliar territory with tonal shifts and new themes.
- The resulting work draws critical attention and fan buzz.
- “Star Wars: Visions” set the foundation for outside-the-box storytelling.
Lucasfilm opening its doors wider means fans get bolder flavors. We get the taste of galactic adventure with strange toppings, and honestly, that’s what keeps a 50-year-old saga fresh.
The Daniels’ Explosive Star Wars Debut: Why It Matters
Let’s not downplay this moment. By the time The Daniels landed in the director’s chair, they had a fresh best-picture Oscar on the shelf. Even still, they approached their “Skeleton Crew” episode as students — not just auteurs. Scheinert said the crew wowed him at every turn, and Kwan clearly relished the collaborative chaos. Their episode doesn’t just bring cool visuals and zippy editing. It leaves viewers with tricky questions. What would you do if you landed in the middle of a messy war? What if the “good guys” weren’t so clear? This is the stuff that made their earlier films so memorable. Now, it’s lighting up a new corner of the galaxy.
So What’s Next: Is The Galaxy Ready for More Daniels?
You better believe folks are already speculating about a Daniels return. Right now, there’s no official word on more Star Wars projects for them. But after that wild ride in “Skeleton Crew,” anything seems possible. The future for Star Wars is wide open, especially with Lucasfilm more than happy to toss the keys to creators who dare to make things a little weirder and a little more heartfelt.
And let’s be honest — Star Wars thrives when it gets strange. Remember, Yoda once told us to “unlearn what you have learned.” Well, The Daniels seem to take that lesson to heart every time they sit in the director’s chair.
And in a Galaxy This Big…
Don’t blink. The Daniels just flipped the script on what Star Wars can be, and maybe what it always should have been — a place where you can cry one moment, laugh the next, and genuinely get surprised. With “Skeleton Crew,” they didn’t just throw spaghetti at the wall. They blasted it into hyperspace and somehow, it stuck. Will more directors take this kind of creative leap on future Star Wars projects? All signs point to yes, because the galaxy is infinite — and so, apparently, is The Daniels’ imagination. The Force is weird now, and honestly, it’s about time.
