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- Neel Is Not Related to Max Rebo in ‘Star Wars’
- What Makes Neel Great in ‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew‘
- More Neel in the Future, Please
As a longtime Star Wars fan who has witnessed the saga’s evolution from its humble beginnings to the expansive universe it is today, I must say that the introduction of new characters like Neel in Skeleton Crew truly resonates with me. Growing up, we were all captivated by Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Leia Organa, but it’s essential for the franchise to keep evolving and introducing fresh faces to carry the torch forward.
On November 11, 2019, a heartwarming “ohh” echoed globally as the closing scenes of The Mandalorian‘s debut episode presented audiences with Grogu, initially referred to in the narrative as “The Child” and affectionately dubbed Baby Yoda. While other Disney properties have attempted to create endearing characters, such as baby Dory from Finding Dory or the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Goose the Flerkin from Captain Marvel and Morris from Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, none have mastered the art of cute, lovable characters quite like Star Wars. R2D2 served as the first child-friendly character within the franchise, but over the years, this role has been filled by creatures such as Ewoks, BB-8, and Porgs, culminating in the highly anticipated arrival of Grogu in The Mandalorian.
Five years after the introduction of Star Wars, a new character named Neel from the series Star Wars: Skeleton Crew has become the talk of the town due to his irresistible charm. As soon as images from Skeleton Crew surfaced online, fans were captivated by the idea of an alien child with a blue elephant-like appearance. Even before the series premiered, Neel had already made a significant impact on the fandom, and since the first two episodes of Skeleton Crew have aired, his popularity has skyrocketed. Whenever Neel is off-screen, fans can’t help but wonder, “Where is Neel?”. Here’s everything you need to know about this beloved character and what makes him so special.
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Neel Is Not Related to Max Rebo in ‘Star Wars’
The presence of a blue elephant in Star Wars is nothing new, as the most famous is, of course, Max Rebo from Return of the Jedi. Since Max Rebo and Neel are both blue space elephants in Star Wars, Neel earned the fandom name “Baby Max Rebo.” Yet despite some similarities, Neel and Max Rebo are two different species. Max Rebo is part of a species known as Ortolan and, notably, only has two limbs (yes, he plays music with his feet). Neel, on the other hand, stands upright and has four appendices, two arms, and two legs, making him a more humanoid alien species than Max Rebo. Currently, Neel’s species have not been identified in the series.
The creators of “Skelton Crew,” Jon Watts and Christopher Ford, addressed the Neel and Max Rebo relationship confusion. When asked about it, Ford humorously commented, “Obviously, we dive headfirst into that debate. We didn’t shy away from it.” Watts then confirmed, “Rest assured, he is not [connected],” he said. He added playfully, “The galaxy is vast, filled with many blue, trunked elephant-like creatures.
What Makes Neel Great in ‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’
In my humble opinion as a movie reviewer, when we first meet Neel (played by Robert Timothy Smith), he’s established as Wim’s (Ravi Cabot-Conyers) closest companion. There’s an undeniable resemblance to Milhouse and Bart Simpson’s dynamic, where Neel seems to tag along with his friend, even when it contradicts his own welfare.
In a different phraseology, it can be expressed that Neel enjoys a contented family life, unlike Wim whose father appears detached and engrossed in work. Instead, Neel is blessed with caring and involved parents. Moreover, he appears to have two younger twin siblings and a baby brother. Unlike the adventurous spirit of Wim, Fern, or KB, Neel seems content with his life and prefers to return home safely without causing any trouble. His words to Wim, “I just want to go home,” strike a chord with many young viewers and possibly numerous adults alike.
This character exhibits a unique vulnerability that sets him apart from others in the series, inviting empathy and a desire to shield him from harm. At the same time, this susceptibility ignites anticipation among fans as they eagerly await how the story will challenge him and foster his growth. It’s essential to remember that true strength doesn’t stem from fearlessness but rather from conquering one’s fears. While Neel may appear fearful now, there is bound to be a time when he demonstrates heroic qualities.
More Neel in the Future, Please
The appeal of the Star Wars franchise lies in its narrative span across various time periods, making it possible for characters to appear and disappear within the storyline. While fans eagerly anticipate a second season of Skeleton Crew, considering Disney+’s recent cancellation of The Acolyte and reduction in Star Wars television series, it may be a challenging prospect. Notably, Skeleton Crew is set during the New Republic era, similar to shows like The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and Ahsoka. This shared timeline offers a chance for Neel and the other characters from Skeleton Crew to intersect with these stories.
Although it seems improbable that the characters from “Skeleton Crew” will show up in “The Mandalorian & Grogu,” given that the film has already wrapped production, there’s still potential for future collaborations. With Dave Filoni working on a grand crossover movie involving all Disney+ series, this could provide an excellent platform for the Skeleton Crew to carry on their storyline. This potential meeting between Neel and Grogu might evoke such an adoring response from viewers that it could generate a singularity of “awws.
Since Neel was a child during the New Republic era, he would have grown up to be in his late 30s or early 40s by the time of the sequel trilogy. The adventures of Neel and other children from “Skeleton Crew” during this period could provide an interesting story for a novel, comic, or animated series. Furthermore, an older Neel could potentially appear in future Star Wars projects, such as the upcoming movie following Rey’s journey to rebuild the new Jedi Order. Although Neel may not become a Jedi himself, he could make a delightful cameo for fans of “Skeleton Crew.
“Characters such as Grogu, Neel from ‘Skeleton Crew’, and others are appealing because they’re fresh faces in the Star Wars universe. Despite its immense scope, the franchise frequently revisits its original trilogy characters. The central plot of ‘The Rise of the Skywalker’ focusing on a generational conflict between the Skywalkers and the Palpatines is a significant flaw. The use of digital deep fakes for Luke Skywalker, live-action versions of animated characters, and resurrection of past Star Wars figures like Boba Fett and Obi-Wan Kenobi can give the impression that the series is hesitant to embrace new concepts or characters.
Star Wars’ decision to incorporate characters such as Neel and Grogu demonstrates their openness to fresh faces, which is beneficial for the franchise’s future. A character like Neel fits well within the Star Wars universe. Speaking of which, “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” is now streaming on Disney+.
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2024-12-11 06:02