Feast your eyes on a long-lost werewolf-like creature from the depths of Star Wars lore: the Shistavanen. After an unreasonably long hiatus of 47 years, the Shistavanen are crawling out of the Star Wars archive to flex their hairy muscles once again. This werewolf-esque alien race is set to make their epic comeback in the much-anticipated live-action extravaganza, Skeleton Crew.

Think of D23 2024, the Disneyland congregation of overzealous Disney enthusiasts, as the eagerly-awaited event of the year. With expectations hitched to full-throttle Star Wars reveals, the odds lean towards an interstellar showcase of the Skeleton Crew. Hint hint: this upcoming live-action show, brought to you straight from Lucasfilm, isn’t just stirring up excitement but also dropping teasers about the mesmerizing aliens that are lined up for the series.

In a tweet as thrilling as a lightsaber duel, DrewDisneyDude lifted the veil to reveal a glimpse of the Skeleton Crew display at D23. As he showed off his snapshots of various alien models taking the stage in the forthcoming episode, one alien, in particular, stood out from the extraterrestrial crowd—a Shistavanen.

The Dramatic Arc of the Shistavanen Legacy in Star Wars

Travel back in time, to the first Star Wars film, and you’ll spot a Shistavanen lurking in the background of the buzzing Mos Eisley Cantina. But in a cruel twist of fate, George Lucas wiped out this hirsute alien from the 1997 Special Edition. From there, Shistavanens were relegated to non-screen appearances, hobnobbing with fans in High Republic novels and comics. Now, dust off your 3D glasses and get ready for the Shistavanens’ monumental return in Skeleton Crew—their first live-action appearance since 1977.

Revamping Shistavanens in Skeleton Crew

With Skeleton Crew teetering on the edge of release, we have the perfect launching pad for a Shistavanen star. Picture this: a Goonies-esque plotline complete with a Shistavanen pirate. Yes, you heard it right. With the show’s creators, Jon Watts and Christopher Ford throwing hints that Skeleton Crew will be peppered with Easter eggs and nods to Star Wars’ past, Shistavanen’s live-action comeback is shaping up to be a Star Wars fan’s dream.

No stranger to reintroducing shelved content, Dave Filoni, the executive producer of Skeleton Crew, takes a shine to wolves in general. From the fur-faced Lasat of Star Wars Rebels to Loth-wolves and a clone trooper by the name of Wolffe, Filoni hasn’t shied away from his fondness for the furry beasts. And seeing a Shistavanen pirate in Skeleton Crew cements the fact that the show isn’t just playing it cool—it’s determined to strut its own unique Star Wars style.

In a galaxy far, far away, Shistavanens essentially fit the werewolf bill. Seemingly out of place amidst sci-fi narratives that Star Wars has been churning out in recent years, the inclusion of a Shistavanen in Skeleton Crew signals a self-assured move away from cookie-cutter storylines. Hold onto your popcorn folks, this one promises to be a wild ride.

Contributor: ATC