The Acolyte: Unveiling the Hidden Ties to the Original Star Wars Films

Highlights

The upcoming Star Wars series, The Acolyte, has a budget of $49.2 million, surpassing Rogue One by $5.5 million, showcasing Disney's investment in the show's pre-production.

The Acolyte, known by its codename Blue Stockings during production, cleverly pays homage to Return of the Jedi's codename, Blue Harvest. This connection to the past is symbolic of the show's feminist perspective and the showrunner's queer identity.

Set in the High Republic era, The Acolyte promises to inject a breath of fresh air into the Star Wars franchise. With a diverse cast and a storyline centered around the Sith, the show strives to provide inclusive representation for viewers. The highly anticipated series is scheduled to debut on Disney+ in 2024.

New information about Star Wars: The Acolyte has recently emerged on the internet. Along with details about the show's production cost, it has also been revealed that the show draws inspiration from surprising sources, including the polarizing Solo: A Star Wars Story. This unique approach is just one of the ways in which The Acolyte distinguishes itself from other Star Wars productions. Additionally, the show's budget has been disclosed, with Disney investing $49.2 million in its pre-production phase. Though not the highest budget in the franchise, it surpasses the beloved film Rogue One by $5.5 million. This is no small accomplishment when comparing a streaming series to a blockbuster movie. However, these are just a few examples of how The Acolyte pushes the boundaries and thinks outside the box.

In a recent report from Forbes, it was revealed that The Acolyte has a codename, Blue Stockings, during its production. Similar to other films, the use of codenames helps maintain secrecy and avoid fan attention. Coincidentally, long-time Star Wars fans may recognize a clever similarity between Blue Stockings and Blue Harvest, the codename used during the production of Return of the Jedi years ago. This nod to the past adds a nostalgic touch to the project. However, there is more to this story.

The Blue Stockings were a group of women in the 18th century who defied societal norms by pursuing education and literature, which were typically denied to women. This bold stance aligns with the show's feminist perspective. The Acolyte also aims to reflect the showrunner's queer identity, as confirmed by creator Leslye Headland during the early stages of production. Therefore, the codename serves a dual purpose, appealing to existing fans while also conveying a welcoming message to new viewers.

In recent times, we have seen the return of this classic Star Wars codename incorporated in creative ways. Famously, Family Guy titled one of its Star Wars parodies as "Blue Harvest," and the term has since become part of the fandom's vocabulary. However, this reference may be one of the most clever, as it ties the original codename to a prominent feminist movement, expanding the show's inclusivity beyond the traditional portrayal of straight, white characters and connecting it to the franchise's history. The Acolyte boasts a diverse ensemble cast, including Amandla Stenberg, Dafne Keen from Logan, Manny Jacinto from The Good Place, and Lee Jung-jae from Squid Game, among many others.

Several new characters are set to make their appearance in The Acolyte, offering a refreshing change of pace in the Star Wars franchise. With its reported Sith-led story filled with mystery and intrigue during the High Republic era, the show aims to provide representation for all viewers. The Acolyte is scheduled to premiere on Disney Plus in 2024.

Source: Forbes