Of all the things that have snuck inside Star Wars canon, Michael Jackson moonwalking into its lore is likely the most unexpected. Some fans are convinced that a Michael Jackson character is now canon in Star Wars, thanks to a certain Star Wars short film.
The short film in question is none other than Star Wars: Skeleton Crew and some eagle-eyed Star Wars fans have spotted a character related to Michael Jackson’s Star Wars character in one Easter Egg. The Easter Egg is a winged bird-like creature named Fuzzball which appears caged in a scene in Skeleton Crew.
Some of the more hardcore Star Wars fans then recalled that Fuzzball was actually part of the crew of a formerly non-canon short film Captain EO, starring Michael Jackson himself as the titular character. Captain EO, was screened in Disney Parks from 1986-1998 and again in 2010 in honor of Michael Jackson’s death. Again, at the time, the Captain EO short film was considered non-canon because, well, it’s literally Michael Jackson in a spaceship.
Now, however, with the canon Star Wars: Skeleton Crew bringing Fuzzball into the mix, it appears Michael Jackson’s Captain EO character might have been canonized. Fuzzball was notably among Captain EO’s crew and has since been featured in Star Wars: Skeleton Crew which aired on December 2, 2024.
Captain EO’s Legacy Lives On
Fuzzball’s appearance in Star Wars: Skeleton Crew further fueled the fan speculation and theory the recent short film could be the prequel to Captain EO. Thus, Captain EO might as well be canon since it now brought over a Captain EO character as canon.
In turn, Michael Jackson’s titular Captain EO could also be canon per technicality since Fuzzball is now canon. So, depending on how much you agree with the fan theory and argument, the deceased King of Pop is now an official part of the Star Wars lore.
The old Captain EO sees Michael Jackson’s titular character using his pop song “We Are Here to Change the World” to transform his evil enemy into a peaceful ally. Captain EO is not just any short film– Francis Ford Coppola was responsible for directing it. The short film was even regarded by many as one of the first 4D films in existence.
George Lucas did state back then that Captain EO was not canon to the main Star Wars mythos. So far Lucas hasn’t refuted what Star Wars: Skeleton Crew did for Fuzzball and Captain EO. It could also be that the canonization was accidental or even unintended. Regardless, who are we as Star Wars fans to deny being struck by a smooth criminal?
