Spoiler Warning: This article discusses plot details. LEGO Star Wars Terrifying Tales
Star Wars and Halloween: it’s a match made on Mustafar. LEGO Star Wars Terrifying Tales, the Halloween-themed special streaming now on Disney+, follows Poe Dameron, BB-8, and new friend Dean as they explore Darth Vader’s castle on the lava world; throughout, uber-creepy caretaker Vaneé treats our heroes to three scary stories, which all lead into his own evil plot. In the end, LEGO Star Wars Terrifying Tales has just the right amount of frights, lots of laughs, and especially fun for fans — tons of Easter eggs. So journey back into Vader’s castle with StarWars.com, if you dare, for a look at some gags, hidden objects, and references you might have missed.
1. Mustafar is home to a tree
That’s right, there’s more to Mustafar than just lava and molten rock. As told in ILMxLAB’s Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series and hinted at in opening sequence of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the planet features a growing forest; in fact, Poe and BB-8 take the same path as Kylo Ren to Vader’s castle, walking through this haunting collection of trees.
2. The crane walker Comes to Mustafar.
Graballa the Hutt, Raam, and Baash are the two bounty hunters we will meet when we go to graballa. There you’ll spot the crane walker — the same vehicle seen on Trask in The Mandalorian “Chapter 11: The Heiress.”
3. Behold…the skelotrooper!
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As Graballa takes our heroes inside Vader’s castle, they walk through a hall lined with trooper armor. Fans will know each set of armor, except for one, the aptly named skelotrooper. This was designed by the Hutt himself. The skelotrooper’s gear is based on a Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures MMO seasonal Clone trooper skin. It also incorporates elements from other LEGO skeleton designs. Here’s hoping this inspires some Halloween costumes in the coming years.
4. Statues of the Sith
Flanking the stairs inside the castle are four Sith statues, reminiscent of those seen inside Palpatine’s office in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. Who these statues depict, however, remains a Mustafar mystery…
5. Empire Emporium’s dark-side designs.
While it’s only on-screen briefly, the Empire Emporium gift shop features some clever design details. The top piece of Darth Vader’s helmet frames the store, while the interior — layout, shelving, and checkout — takes cues from vendors at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
6. LEGO Star Wars meets The Lost Boys
The first frightening tale. “The Lost Boy,” is directly inspired by the 1987 vampire classic The Lost Boys. From logo to overall plot to a shirtless Bith kloo horn player, references abound to Joel Schumacher’s beloved horror flick.
Fun fact: This tale also stems from Marvel’s Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren miniseries, which tells the story of how Ben Solo came to join the Knights of Ren.
7. “How long did he train on Dagobah? Like 20 minutes?”
You are right! Ben Solo’s question about Uncle Luke’s Jedi training is actually a playful nod to a long-running fan debate.
8. A Nightmare on Star Wars Street.
In one reference that’s definitely meant for older fans, Kylo’s dream tips its cap to similar sequences in A Nightmare on Elm Street, from Ren scratching a blade along the floor to singing children. Speaking of which…
9. “Ring Around the Rosie”…in Huttese!
Yep, that’s what these creepy kidsSinging is your passion. You can now sing along.
Ring-around the rosie/ Whirlee Moova Dee Bonkee
A pocket full of posies/Peetch goola peedunkee
Ashes! Ashes! / Skocha! Skocha!
We all fall down/ Jee-Jee Nee Choo!
10. There’s something familiar about this place.
If you’re a fan of ILMxLAB’s Vader Immortal, you might recognize the inner chambers of the castle. That’s because LEGO Star Wars Terrifying Tales based the castle on designs created for the popular VR experience.
11. LEGO is given to the Nightsisters!
This is the Nightsisters and Mother Talzin’s first appearance as minifigures. It’s not the last, but it’s a good start!
12. Star Wars: The Clone Wars meets Frankenstein.
With the mad-scientist-inspired rebirth of Qymaen jai Sheelal as Grievous, and a peek inside the cyborg’s cozy home, this tale takes inspiration from both the original Frankenstein, as well as the Star Wars: The Clone Wars episode “Lair of Grievous.”
13. Round 2. Darth Maul versus Grievous
This actually isn’t the first time these two baddies have met! Darth Maul and Grievous dueled in Dark Horse’s Star Wars: Darth Maul — Son of Dathomir comics, based on unproduced episodes of The Clone Wars. (This time, things are a bit better in the Maulster’s favor.
14. Honoring the scariest stories of the past
Vaneé introduces “The Wookiee’s Paw”By saying “Submitted for your approval,”This famous line is from The Twilight Zone. It’s a fitting tribute. (Whether Vaneé can rock a suit like Rod Serling, however, is unlikely.) A well-known short story is also included. “The Monkey’s Paw”As inspiration “The Wookiee’s Paw.”When the Force is involved, things get more complicated.
15. Moff Gideon is that you?
Look in the skies of Tatooine and you’ll see an Imperial light cruiser — the same model as Moff Gideon’s in The Mandalorian. Where’s Mando when you need him?
16. “For luck!”
“The Wookiee’s Paw”The film contains many references to Star Wars, but in a funhouse mirror way. But my favorite is, without a doubt, Vader’s unexpected and hilarious kiss to Luke just before they swing across the Death Star chasm — a clear homage to the iconic scene featuring Luke and Leia. It’s smart and goofy and 100 percent LEGO Star Wars.
17. Two for the price one
As a battle droid breaks through a door with an axe (a direct tribute to The Shining), he says his name, true to the famous scene. But included is “1138” — a long-running Lucasfilm reference to George Lucas’ THX-1138, the Star Wars creator’s first film.
18. Ruh roh!
When battle-droid zombies chase our heroes, it’s a subtle nod to the grandaddy of scary-story animation, Scooby-Doo!, in which Shaggy, Scooby, and friendsParanormal threats often leave them on the run. Zoinks!
19. Dress for the occasion
Both Poe, BB-8 and Dameron are dressed up in Halloween costumes as they escape. BB-8 is a pumpkin painter, while Dameron has the skelotrooper helmet. They’re good looks in the spirit of the season.
20. My precious!
Vaneé’s leap to recover the Sith holocron and subsequent dive into the lava pool recalls a similar cautionary tale. In The Lord of the Rings, the evil Gollum suffers a similar fate as he tries to save the ring that gave him power but has twisted his mind and body. The real lesson: don’t jump into lava!
LEGO Star Wars Terrifying Tales is streaming now, exclusively on Disney+.
StarWars.com’s editor Dan Brooks works as a writer. He loves Star Wars, ELO, and the New York Rangers, Jets, Yankees, and Knicks. Follow him on Twitter @dan_brooks.
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