Three Disney Princesses Officially Entered the Star Wars Universe in the Last Seven Years

Over the past seven years, three actresses known for their roles as Disney princesses have made their mark in the Star Wars universe, with the latest one joining as recent as December 2024. Following Disney’s acquisition of the Star Wars franchise, there were plenty of humorous remarks about Princess Leia being considered a Disney princess. However, it’s important to note that the title of “Disney princess”carries a specific connotation that doesn’t quite apply to Leia.

Since 2012, after Disney took ownership of Star Wars, several characters from the franchise have been voiced or portrayed by actresses who have starred in Disney’s princess films. The most recent addition featured in Episode 5 of the new series, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew. This show introduces a brand-new character, Pokkit—a bounty hunter whose actress also lent her voice to one of Disney’s beloved princesses, Merida, over a decade ago.

Pokkit: The Bounty Hunter with a Disney Connection

A Dramatic Transformation for Kelly Macdonald

Episode 5 of Skeleton Crew introduces Pokkit, a cunning bounty hunter who recognizes Jod Na Nawood (known as Dash Zentin), prompting her to send a dangerous crew of pirates after him and the children. In this darker role, Kelly Macdonald is recognized as the voice behind Merida in Disney’s 2012 animated hit, Brave. The spirited and strong Merida contrasts sharply with Pokkit’s ruthless demeanor, yet the connection between these two characters reveals a fascinating layer to Macdonald’s talents.

While Merida represents a princess defying societal expectations and embarking on a heroic journey, Pokkit embodies a more morally ambiguous character. Nonetheless, it is intriguing to see how these distinct personalities can both be brought to life by the same actress, highlighting Macdonald’s range as a performer. This connection positions Pokkit as one of three notable Star Wars characters portrayed by actresses who have also voiced Disney princesses.

Joining the Ranks of Disney Princesses Turned Star Wars Characters

Exploring the Disney Princess-Led Star Wars Universe

In addition to Macdonald’s role as Pokkit, Ming-Na Wen has embodied Fennec Shand in the Star Wars series while also voicing Mulan. Furthermore, Kelly Marie Tran has taken on the roles of Rose Tico in Star Wars and Raya in Raya and the Last Dragon. The peculiar connections between their characters reveal a deeper narrative resonance.

Ming-Na Wen voices Mulan—a character defined by her bravery—while portraying Fennec Shand, who is equally fearless and resourceful across various Star Wars series, including The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. Despite their different backgrounds, both characters exemplify resilience and skill in challenging circumstances. Similarly, Kelly Marie Tran’s characters represent unexpected heroes; Rose evolves from an outsider to a significant Resistance figure, while Raya transitions from solitude to the hero who revitalizes the dragons.

Currently, Macdonald, Wen, and Tran hold the unique distinction of being both Disney princesses and characters in the Star Wars saga. As Disney continues to merge its franchises, fans may anticipate more such intriguing connections in the future. For now, Kelly Macdonald’s portrayal of Pokkit in Skeleton Crew adds an exciting layer to her already impressive repertoire.

Catch the first five episodes of Skeleton Crew, now available for streaming on Disney+.

Skeleton Crew Episode Release Schedule
Episode	Director	Release Date
Episode 1	Jon Watts	December 2
Episode 2	David Lowery	December 2
Episode 3	David Lowery	December 10
Episode 4	The Daniels	December 17
Episode 5	Jake Schreier	December 24
Episode 6	Bryce Dallas Howard	December 31
Episode 7	Lee Isaac Chung	January 7
Episode 8	Jon Watts	January 14