Disney+ welcomes Filipino-Canadian actor Manny Jacinto to the cast of the new Star Wars series, The Acolyte, according to Variety.
While no names or specific character details have been unveiled yet, sources say that he will play one of the three main characters in the series alongside the previously announced series lead Amandla Stenberg, known for The Hunger Games, Everything, Everything, and The Hate U Give. Plus South Korean actor Lee Jung-Jae from the Netflix series phenomenon Squid Game.
MANNY JACINTO’S MOST PROMINENT ROLE BEFORE THE ACOLYTE
Manny Jacinto is best known for the critically acclaimed NBC Sitcom The Good Place. He played Jason Mendoza for four seasons: one of the principal characters who died and seemingly went to the afterlife world known as a Good Place. He was initially thought to be a monk who made a vow of silence, only to be revealed as a slow-witted man who once lived in Florida with a love for Blake Bortles and the Jacksonville Jaguars. He also starred in other TV series like Nine Perfect Strangers, as well, and can be seen in the recent blockbuster phenomenon legacy sequel Top Gun: Maverick.
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Although not many details have been revealed about The Acolyte, Leslie Headland, the Emmy -nominated creator of the series Russian Doll will be the showrunner, writer, director, and executive producer. It will be a mystery thriller set in the Star Wars universe in the High Republic era, approximately three hundred years before the events of Star Wars: A New Hope.
One can only wonder how the High Republic era will look in live-action. The most common complaint about the recent Star Wars movies and TV series is that they are all starting to look the same with little creativity. A new series that takes place a long time before the familiar Star Wars timeline might be the flavor of different that is needed to freshen things up.
The title of the series presumably comes from the term “acolyte”. In the Star Wars universe, it means an individual with force abilities who learn from experienced Sith Lords. This certainly goes in line with Katherine Kennedy’s statement that it is about the emerging dark powers at the end of the High Republic era. Who The Acolyte is referring to in the new series is still left a mystery for now, whether it is Manny Jacinto, Amanda Stenberg, or Lee Jung-Jae’s character. It is entirely possible none of the actors is the one referred to in the title.
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There has been heavy speculation amongst the Star Wars community that The Acolyte will feature an appearance from Emperor Palpatine’s Master, Darth Plagueis. A figure only alluded to in live-action in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith as a Sith Lord figure who can save anyone from death only to be killed by his apprentice, Palpatine to take his place as the new Sith master. Palpatine’s master has always been a big mystery that fans want more details on, so this series might take the opportunity to flesh him out more.
If the protagonists here are the prototype Sith, one might say the possibility of Manny Jacinto playing Darth Plagueis or other familiar Sith Lord characters is not out of the question.
What are your thoughts on a new Manny Jacinto joining The Acolyte? Which Star Wars character do you believe he would be playing? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow The Illuminerdi on social media.
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Source: Variety
