In recent years, more extraneous parts of Star Wars lore have been welcomed back into the saga’s main continuity. Shows like The Mandalorian and Ahsoka have been a treasure-trove of references to lesser-explored areas of the galaxy’s mythos, whether it’s the live-action debuts of Krrsantan and Grand Admiral Thrawn, a glimpse of the Mythosaur, or the arrival of the Dark Troopers. But one part of Star Wars history that isn’t considered canon anymore – and so far hasn't been welcomed back in – is the pair of Ewok movies, Caravan Of Courage and The Battle For Endor. The two made-for-TV films were released in the mid-‘80s, and now have a home on Disney+, even if they’re not part of the official story these days. But if you have a soft spot for Wicket's adventures, buckle up: one species from The Battle For Endor is about to make a comeback.
Speaking to Empire in a director’s roundtable interview for Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, filmmaker David Lowery revealed that the Teek – the super-speedy Endor natives – will be making a comeback in his episode. And yes, they’ll be conjured with practical effects. “I was most excited about having hand puppets on set,” says Lowery. “It’s the most ancient technology being used with the most cutting-edge technology, simultaneously. That combination was absolutely magical. There’s a character in my episode that’s […] the Teek, from Battle For Endor. And it’s just a little hand puppet! It’s just (wiggles hand). I was like, ‘Is he gonna get digitally touched up, or replaced?’ No, in the final episode it’s just a hand puppet in the middle of this crazy Volume set. The cognitive dissonance of seeing those two things together, live in front of you, is absolutely incredible.”
According to Lowery, his episode of Skeleton Crew will be defined by those practical effects. Asked to sum up his Star Wars instalment in a single word, he said: “I teased it already: ‘Puppets’.” The Ewok movie comeback begins here.
Read the full Star Wars: Skeleton Crew directors roundtable interview in the Mickey 17 issue, on sale Thursday 24 October. Pre-order a copy online here. Star Wars: Skeleton Crew streams on Disney+ from 4 December.