How Carey Jones' Work On Predators Landed Him The Role Of Black Krrsantan In The Book Of Boba Fett
When Kieron Gillen and Salvador Larroca launched "Star Wars: Darth Vader" in 2015 for Marvel Comics, the veteran comic creators set up the former Anakin Skywalker as almost a Bizzaro Luke Skywalker, complete with an interesting cast of characters from across a galaxy far, far away. Among them were criminal archeologist Doctor Aphra and droids BT-1 and 0-0-0, who are kind of like the evil R2-D2 and C-3PO. Plus, just as Luke had his trusty Rookie friend Chewbacca, Vader crosses paths with Wookie bounty hunter Black Krrsantan when the Hutts hire him and Boba Fett to aid the Sith Lord with his missions on Tatooine.
However, after appearing in other areas of the House of Ideas' "Star Wars" line of comics, Krrsantan would surface again in the second episode of "The Book of Boba Fett" on Disney+. This time, he was pitted against his former partner after Fett became the new Daimyo of the late Jabba's criminal empire. Eventually, the bounty hunter brethren would end up as allies again in the war against the Pyke Syndicate.
Unlike in the universe created by George Lucas, you can't just send out a casting call and hold auditions to find the best Wookiee. In the real world, there's a person in that Wookiee suit. In the case of this series, it was actor and special effects veteran Carey Jones behind all that hair and the mighty roar. But how did he land the role of this imposing former gladiator? It came down to an old adage that's used frequently in Hollywood: "It's not what you know, it's who you know."
The hunt is on
Throughout his career, Jones has appeared in a number of TV shows and movies including "Teen Wolf," "The Orville," "Creepshow," and "This Is The End." Most recently, he starred as Ted AKA Man-Thing in the Marvel Studios Special Presentation "Werewolf By Night." But the project that landed him a spot in the Star Wars Universe was "Predators," where he had previously worked with "The Book of Boba Fett" executive producer and acclaimed filmmaker Robert Rodriguez. While speaking with Star Wars Insider, the actor recounted how that gig in 2010 led to another one about a decade later. Basically, it was legendary special effects guru Greg Nicotero who planted the seed. While speaking to Rodriguez, Nicotero had mentioned Jones in their conversation. The director known for his Mexico trilogy and "From Dusk Till Dawn" remembered Jones from their previous work together, the "Star Wars" call was made, and the rest is history.
Bounty acquired
Although, after Jones agreed to join the cast of the spinoff to "The Mandalorian," there were very few details provided to him about his part. Apparently, all he was told was that he would be playing a Wookiee in something and he didn't know what that something was until he walked on set.
"The funny thing about it is that although I knew that I'd been cast as a Wookiee, I didn't know that it was Krrsantan, or that we'd be making 'The Book of Boba Fett.' For a while, I'd assumed it was for another 'Star Wars' show altogether, because Disney and Lucasfilm like to keep things so close to the vest, and they kept the scripts so secret. I didn't know it was actually a Boba Fett show until I was on set, but that was okay because I was going to be in a 'Star Wars' production!"
Clearly a fan of "Star Wars," it doesn't sound like the secrecy phased him at all. But this whole situation just goes to show that it pays off to do your job well and leave a positive impression, especially in the entertainment industry. You'll never know who will be calling you or sliding into your DMs in ten years with an amazing opportunity.