Disney+’s Star Wars catalog is set to expand once again with the upcoming release of The Acolyte, the platform’s sixth live-action series based in the Star Wars universe.
The conception of The Acolyte traces back to shortly after the release of The Rise of Skywalker, the last installment of the sequel trilogy. Leslye Headland, a self-described “major mega fan” of Star Wars, presented her vision for the series to Lucasfilm’s Kathleen Kennedy, describing it as a blend of “Frozen meets Kill Bill.” The project was officially unveiled in April 2020. After enduring a global pandemic and two significant Hollywood strikes, The Acolyte is poised to make its debut.
Details about The Acolyte are still largely under wraps, with many elements of the show’s plot and its ties to the broader Star Wars universe yet to be disclosed. Despite this, the anticipation among fans is palpable, driven by the show’s promise of blending different genres, a focus on traditional practical effects over LED backdrops, and a fresh approach that might offer a shift from previous offerings. Fans are hopeful for a show that aligns more with the critically acclaimed Andor rather than The Book of Boba Fett.
‘The Acolyte’ Release Date
The Acolyte is set to make its debut on Tuesday, June 4, launching with the first two episodes of its eight-episode season. Subsequent episodes will be available for streaming weekly on Disney+.
‘The Acolyte’ Cast
The Acolyte introduces an exciting lineup of actors, all fresh to the Star Wars universe but well-known in other major film and TV projects.
Amandla Stenberg, known from Bodies Bodies Bodies, stars as Mae, a one-time Padawan whose departure from the Jedi ways leads her into a life of a formidable warrior. Intriguingly, there are whispers that Stenberg might be portraying dual roles as twin sisters—one embodying good, the other evil.
Lee Jung-jae, celebrated for his role in Squid Game, appears as Master Sol, a venerable Jedi grappling with a profound emotional crisis.
Manny Jacinto, previously seen in The Good Place, plays Qimir, a reformed smuggler now prospering as a merchant dealing in rare items.
Dafne Keen, from Logan, takes on the role of Jecki, the devoted Padawan of Master Sol.
Charlie Barnett, known for his work in Russian Doll, is cast as Yord, a diligent and strictly principled Jedi Knight.
Rebecca Henderson, also from Russian Doll, portrays Vernestra Rwoh, a formidable Jedi whose origins trace back to the High Republic comics.
Dean-Charles Chapman, recognized from Game of Thrones, and Margarita Levieva, from In from the Cold, are slated for roles yet to be revealed.
Joonas Suotamo reprises his role as a Wookiee, this time as Kelnacca, a Jedi who chooses a life of solitude.
Jodie Turner-Smith, seen in White Noise, emerges as Mother Aniseya, who heads a secretive coven of Witches.
Carrie-Anne Moss, famed for The Matrix, appears as Master Indara, a Jedi known for her immense mental and physical prowess.
Plot (Storyline)
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Headland shared that The Acolyte will explore the resurgence of the Sith, the dark adversaries of the Jedi who were lurking in the shadows during the High Republic era. She posed critical questions: “How did it come to be that a Sith Lord could infiltrate the Senate, as Emperor Palpatine does in The Phantom Menace, without any Jedi noticing? What went wrong? What events set the stage for this development?”
The narrative centers around Sol, who, while investigating a series of crimes, begins to suspect the reactivation of the Sith. His investigations lead him to Mae, a one-time Jedi apprentice and someone from his past. Together, they start to peel back layers of deceit and corruption within the High Republic, uncovering the factors that would eventually precipitate its decline.
Connection to the Star Wars universe
The Acolyte is situated in the High Republic era, a period marked by peace and the zenith of the Galactic Republic and the Jedi Order’s power. This new series unfolds towards the close of the High Republic, roughly a century before the events of The Phantom Menace, making it the earliest live-action Star Wars narrative in the timeline. This series marks the first live-action portrayal of the High Republic, which until now has been explored through novels, comics, and the animated Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures.
Set significantly before the timeline of the main Star Wars films, the series will not feature cameo appearances from the iconic characters of the franchise, as creator Leslye Headland explained in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. However, the series will weave in numerous references to the films, the animated series The Clone Wars, and the broader Extended Universe of Star Wars literature and media. Headland assures that while The Acolyte can be enjoyed independently of the franchise’s background, devout Star Wars fans will appreciate the subtle nods and connections embedded throughout the series.
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