The Acolyte is an upcoming Disney+ series set in the Star Wars universe. The first official footage of the show was shown at Star Wars Celebration 2023.
Set approximately 100 years before the events of Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace, this upcoming TV show is breaking new ground for the franchise. Star Wars has never featured live-action stories set before the prequel trilogy. That time period was referred to as “The Old Republic” in the non-canon Legends (Expanded Universe) universe. Under Disney canon, the era is referred to as “The High Republic”.
The High Republic era is currently being fleshed out through books, narrative audio dramas, and comic books. The Acolyte will be the first TV series set within that time frame. No other TV shows or movies are currently in development for The High Republic era of Star Wars.
THE ACOLYTE: OFFICIAL TRAILER FOOTAGE EXPLAINED
The first official footage of The Acolyte premiered exclusively at Star Wars Celebration 2023. The teaser trailer has not been officially released online. As The Acolyte is still in the middle of production, an official trailer may not be made available to the public for quite some time. Additionally, when it is released, it may feature very different footage from the teaser unveiled at the convention.
That being said, let’s dive into the juicy details of this exciting new project from a long time ago, in a galaxy far far away.
RELATED: DAISY RIDLEY RETURNS AS REY SKYWALKER IN GLORIOUSLY ANNOUNCED NEW FILM AT STAR WARS CELEBRATION 2023
Lee Jung-Jae plays an unnamed Jedi Master, and his character is one of two protagonists leading The Acolyte. The teaser trailer begins with this Jedi speaking to a group of younglings. He tells them not to trust their eyes, for the eyes can be deceived. Carrie-Anne Moss plays another Jedi Master, name currently unknown. We see her character next, hooded and contemplative.
This Jedi is then attacked by Amandla Stenberg’s character. Stenberg plays a former Jedi Padawan, and she is the other protagonist of The Acolyte. Stenberg’s character is wearing a purple robe and wielding knives as her weapon of choice. The footage of their duel is brief, but it apparently features force-pushes in combat. Additionally, this scene pays homage to Moss’ iconic performance as Trinity in The Matrix franchise.
THE ACOLYTE ASSEMBLES A CAST OF INCREDIBLE PERFORMERS
Charlie Barnett is another actor playing an as-of-now unknown character on The Acolyte. Descriptions of the trailer footage suggest that Barnett is playing a force-wielder who uses a yellow lightsaber. Finally, the teaser comes to a close with a shot of several Jedi standing together, igniting their lightsabers in unison.
In an interview panel at the celebration, Amandla Stenberg explained:
“Very much inspired by martial arts films, it’s very inspired by Kill Bill. Leslye [Headland, showrunner on The Acolyte] likes to say that the show is a combination of Frozen and Kill Bill which is kind of a nuts combo. But I think tonally, it’s really exciting, it’s really dark. It has a sense of magical realism.”
If that description doesn’t reignite your passion for the Star Wars franchise, what possibly could? The emotional passion of Frozen, combined with the high-energy, explosive action and darkness of Kill Bill, with a dash of “magical realism” thrown in? What more could you ask for?
THE ACOLYTE BRINGS A NEW TONE TO STAR WARS
Now, there is always the possibility that the show will not live up to the expectations and exciting marketing which is currently taking place. But we won’t know until the series finally arrives on Disney+. The Acolyte does not currently have an official release date, but it is slated for release sometime in 2024.
The Acolyte is created by showrunner Leslye Headland. Headland, Alex Garcia Lopez, and Kogonada will direct episodes of the new TV show. Headland, Charmaine DeGrate, and Cameron Squires are all writers on the series. The cast includes Amandla Stenberg, Lee Jung-jae, Carrie-Anne Moss, Dafne Keen, Manny Jacinto, Jodie Turner-Smith, Charlie Barnett, Rebecca Henderson, Dean-Charles Chapman, and Margarita Leviva.
Additionally, Joonas Suotamo was announced to be joining the cast as the first live-action Wookie Jedi Master. Suotamo previously portrayed Chewbacca in Solo: A Star Wars Story.
The Acolyte has so much potential, and the news about the show coming out of Star Wars Celebration 2023 has increased the anticipation greatly. Are you excited for The Acolyte? Let us know your thoughts on our social media, and thanks for reading!
KEEP READING: STAR WARS: THE ACOLYTE CAST GETS GREAT ADVICE FROM DAISY RIDLEY
