Trailer For ‘The Acolyte’ Teases the Darkest Star Wars Series Yet

Introducing Star Wars: The Acolyte, a groundbreaking series venturing into uncharted territory within the Star Wars universe. Delving into the origins of the Dark Side, it offers a unique opportunity to revisit the Star Wars saga in chronological order.

Following the recent releases of The Book of Boba Fett and Obi-Wan Kenobi, attention naturally turned to Disney+’s upcoming Star Wars projects. These include The Mandalorian, Andor, and Ahsoka, set in the Imperial Era between Episode III and IV. However, Lucasfilm has broader ambitions. They are venturing into the legendary era of the High Republic, a time of Jedi prosperity and the emergence of the Dark Side of the Force. Could this new series mark a standout addition to the Star Wars universe?

The Synopsis of Star Wars: The Acolyte

In Star Wars: The Acolyte, a mystery unfolds as a respected Jedi Master (portrayed by Lee Jung-jae) confronts a formidable warrior from his past (Amandla Stenberg) amidst a startling crime spree. As they unravel the clues, they enter a shadowy realm where malevolent forces. The series begins with the twilight of the High Republic as a backdrop. It also promises to immerse audiences in a galaxy full of dark secrets and powers emerging from the depths of the Force.

The scarcity of plot details notwithstanding, the synopsis provides ample contextual clues hinting at the series’ thematic direction. Of particular significance is its temporal setting. Star Wars: The Acolyte delves into uncharted territory. It also delves into the annals of Star Wars history to explore the era of the High Republic. This marks a significant departure from previous screen adaptations. The narrative unfolds a century prior to Anakin Skywalker’s birth; his eventual transformation into Darth Vader; and the subsequent collapse of the Republic.

Indeed, the era of the High Republic appears to be a time of greatness and prosperity. Moreover, it is characterized by the heyday of the Jedi Order and the apogee of the Galactic Republic’s influence. However, beneath the appearance of splendor lies a growing darkness. It is during this period that the seeds of the Empire are sown. Here they set the stage for the tumultuous events that will ultimately shape the fate of the galaxy.

In this context, a former Padawan is reunited with her Jedi master. She also embarks on a harrowing journey to unravel a series of crimes that plague the galaxy. However, as they delve deeper into their investigation, they soon realize that they are up against malevolent forces. Moreover, they are far more insidious and formidable than they could have imagined.

In Which Era the Series Takes Place

The Acolyte delves into the intricacies of the Jedi Order crisis and the resurgence of the Sith. También arroja luz sobre las maquinaciones clandestinas de Darth Sidious. The events leading up to Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (George Lucas, 1999) are orchestrated here. The Acolyte unravels the mysteries surrounding the Jedi’s failure to detect the infiltration of a Sith lord into the Senate. It also explores the systemic failures and internal conflicts that paved the way for the fall of the Republic.

Leslye Headland, the creator of the series, cited films such as The Hidden Fortress (Akira Kurosawa, 1958) as major inspiration for The Acolyte. These classics greatly influenced George Lucas in creating the vast Star Wars universe. Additionally, Headland drew inspiration from Shaw Brothers kung fu films such as Drink with Me (King Hu, 1966) and A Touch of Zen (King Hu, 1971).

Cast and Crew of Star Wars: The Acolyte

Image: Lucasfilm

Leslye Headland, creator and showrunner of the series, described it as a fusion of Frozen and Kill Bill. This was when she pitched the project to Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm. Headland gained recognition for co-creating the acclaimed Netflix series Russian Doll. In addition to making her directorial debut with Bachelorette Party in 2012, she expressed her lifelong passion for Star Wars through this ambitious project.

Headland directed the premiere episodes (1×01 and 1×02) of the series. On the other hand, Kogonada directed episodes 1×03 and 1×07. Álex García López was in charge of episodes 1×04 and 1×05. Hanelle Culpepper supervised episodes 1×06 and 1×08. In addition, award-winning composer Michael Abels, known for his work on Let Me Out and Us, has been hired to compose the music for Star Wars: The Acolyte.

Amandla Stenberg is known for her roles in The Hunger Games as Rue and in The Hate You Give and Dear Evan Hansen. In this series, she will play the titular character. She will be joined by Lee Jung-jae from The Squid Game. Manny Jacinto from Top Gun: Maverick; Charlie Barnett from You; Jodie Turner-Smith from Queen & Slim; Rebecca Henderson from Manhunt: Unabomber; Dean-Charles Chapman from 1917. We will also have Margarita Levieva from The Innocent; Dafne Keen from The Dark Matter; the beloved Joonas Suotamo as Wookie Jedi Master Kelnacca; and the esteemed Carrie-Anne Moss from The Matrix.

Featured Image Via Lucasfilm