The Skeleton Pirates are tertiary antagonists of James and the Giant Peach.
Role in the film[]
After Mr. Centipede got caught by the Skeleton Pirate Captain, Captain Jack, one of the Skeleton Pirates that was named Paul Bunyan by the Centipede attempted and failed to cut Centipede in half. With help from Miss Spider and James, Centipede was rescued and they escaped with a compass they needed. Centipede was suddenly pulled back by the Skeleton Pirates, which he bravely fought. It appeared that Centipede got killed, but he actually managed to come out in one piece.
It is unclear if the Skeleton Pirates are still alive after their battle with Mr. Centipede, James, and Miss Spider.
Gallery[]
Their Pirates' flag
Captain Jack and his parrot
The Pirate Compass
The pirate crew
Viking Pirate
Eskimo Pirate
Duckman
Peg Leg Pirate and Duckman
Jack's parrot
Models of Duckman and Eskimo in a museum exhibit within the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
Trivia[]
- The Skeleton Pirate Captain, Captain Jack, bears a strong resemblance to Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas. This is mainly due to the Jack Skellington's interchangeable head model being reused for the Pirate Captain. In fact, when Mr. Centipede encounters him for the first time, he even says "A Skellington?" It may even be possible that the Pirate Captain is not Jack himself, but actually a relative of his, perhaps a brother or cousin.
- Additionally, both James and the Giant Peach and The Nightmare Before Christmas were both directed by Henry Selick and Tim Burton who had a hand with both of them.
- One of the pirates, Duckman, is very similar to Donald Duck. Coincidentally, Donald's voice actor, Tony Anselmo, provided Duckman's voice.
- The figurehead of their ships depicts Aunt Spiker and Sponge in their night clothes.
- They served as the replacements for the Cloud Men from the original book.
- The King Skeletons as well as the Fire King and the Ice King from The Nightmare Before Christmas: Oogie's Revenge were model after Viking pirate.