The Acolyte: Unveiling the Star Wars Universe's Darkest Secrets

The Acolyte Disney+ series stands out as one of the most intriguing Star Wars projects on the horizon. Unlike other live-action Star Wars projects, The Acolyte will delve into the earlier days of the galaxy, specifically focusing on the rise of the Sith powers during The High Republic era. Led by showrunner Leslye Heyland and featuring a talented cast including Amandla Stenberg, Lee Jung-jae, and Dafne Keen, The Acolyte promises to be an exhilarating and highly anticipated addition to the Star Wars universe.

Announced in 2020 alongside other Lucasfilm TV series like Ahsoka, The Acolyte distinguishes itself by exploring the Sith's ascent rather than focusing on familiar heroes like Obi-Wan Kenobi and Din Djarin. Embracing a darker tone akin to Andor, The Acolyte delves into a period in the Star Wars timeline that predates any of the movies by centuries. From the latest updates at Star Wars Celebration 2023 to the completion of filming in June of that year, significant details have emerged about the forthcoming High Republic project.

The Acolyte: Latest News

Set photos from the filming of The Acolyte Disney+ series have provided some intriguing insights into the show. However, there was an unfortunate legal dispute in 2023 involving former producer Karyn McCarthy and Lucasfilm, which is not a positive development for the studio or the Star Wars franchise.

Despite this setback, the behind-the-scenes images released in December 2022 offer a glimpse into The Acolyte's High Republic setting. Although the Sith play a significant role in the series, the set photos primarily showcase Jedi characters, including Lee Jung-jae and Dean-Charles Chapman, dressed in traditional Jedi robes. Additionally, viewers get a first look at Dafne Keen's alien character, who appears to be a warrior, and the first Wookie Jedi in the live-action Star Wars universe.

Star Wars Celebration 2023 unveiled a plethora of surprises during Lucasfilm's Showcase panel. Among the highlights was the highly anticipated reveal of Star Wars' The Acolyte, which left fans buzzing with excitement. Screen Rant took a closer look at the footage, dissecting every intriguing detail. The trailer commenced with a captivating scene set in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, where numerous Jedi apprentices were undergoing rigorous training. Notable figures such as Lee Jung-jae's character and Carrie Anne Moss' character were seen mentoring aspiring Jedi, including Amandla Stenberg's Padawan. The action-packed sequences that followed depicted relentless Sith assassins launching ruthless attacks on a group of Jedi. The trailer reached its climax as approximately 10 Jedi simultaneously ignited their lightsabers, accompanied by a compelling voice-over that declared, "This is about power and who is allowed to use it."

The Acolyte Release Date

With Star Wars: The Bad Batch, The Mandalorian, Star Wars: Visions, Ahsoka, and Skeleton Crew all slated for release in 2023, The Acolyte was never intended to be part of the lineup for that year. This news was confirmed by Kathleen Kennedy at Star Wars Celebration 2023, where she announced that The Acolyte would be released in 2024 as part of the High Republic show. Although an official release date has not been announced, it is anticipated that The Acolyte will likely hit screens in the mid-to-late months of 2024. Considering that filming concluded in June 2023, it is expected that the show will undergo approximately a year of post-production, making a fall/winter release in 2024 a more probable timeframe for The Acolyte.

The Acolyte Cast

The cast of The Acolyte Disney+ series has been officially announced, and it appears that the show will introduce new and unfamiliar characters to the Star Wars universe. This is not surprising considering the series is set many centuries before the events of any previous Star Wars movies or shows. The potential appearance of well-known characters like Yoda would undoubtedly create a massive online buzz, so it is likely that any surprises in the show will be kept under wraps. Nonetheless, the series boasts a strong cast, with Amandla Stenberg taking on a Star Wars role specifically written for her.

From set photos and the trailer released at Star Wars Celebration, it can be inferred that Lee Jung-jae and Dean-Charles Chapman will portray Jedi knights, with Chapman even sporting the traditional padawan braid. Dafne Keen's character, on the other hand, is intriguingly described as an alien warrior and a member of the Jedi Order, as confirmed by Keen herself at SWCE 2023. Keen's reluctance to reveal much about her character suggests the possibility of a darker storyline. Other notable cast members include Jodie Turner-Smith and Manny Jacinto in undisclosed roles, Charlie Barnett, Carrie-Anne Moss as Jedi warriors, and Rebecca Henderson as Vernestra Rwoh, a prodigious Jedi Knight from the High Republic book series.

In terms of characters from the movies who could make an appearance in the series, there are limited options that would fit within this timeline. However, an unexpected addition could be Emperor Palpatine, considering that the series will supposedly explore how a Sith infiltrated the senate. Although it would require an explanation for his ability to use The Force to halt his aging, which would involve significant alterations to the Star Wars canon. Alternatively, The Acolyte might introduce Darth Plagueis, Palpatine's master, marking the character's first appearance in a live-action Star Wars project. Plagueis' age aligns more closely with the setting of The Acolyte, making it a surprising yet thrilling inclusion.

The Acolyte Story Details

There have been numerous fascinating revelations about The Acolyte Disney+ series. Set in the end of the High Republic era, two centuries prior to The Phantom Menace, the show is described as a captivating mystery thriller, following a Jedi and their Padawan student as they delve into secretive enigmas and the emergence of dark-side powers. The Acolyte also draws inspiration from the franchise's video games and novels, allowing the expansive Star Wars universe to shape the narrative. What's intriguing is that Leslye Headland, the creator, has specifically mentioned The Phantom Menace as an influence, describing the series as a captivating blend of Frozen and Kill Bill.

While the Jedi will play a prominent role in the series as the heroes, the perspective of the Sith will also be explored, providing a fascinating new understanding of the villains in the Star Wars universe. Traditionally, the Sith have been portrayed as the epitome of evil in the franchise, but this series will delve into their experiences as underdogs striving to infiltrate the Jedi. In 2022's Tales of the Jedi, several episodes shed light on Count Dooku's descent into the dark side, offering a glimpse into the true nature of "evil" Jedi, Sith, and other users of the dark force.

The High Republic era marked the pinnacle of power for the Galactic Republic, providing an intriguing backdrop for The Acolyte Disney+ series. Unlike the dwindling presence of the Jedi Order in the prequel trilogy, the Jedi were highly active during this period. The galaxy remained largely uncharted, with ongoing exploration and expansion into the perilous Outer Rim. This series will unfold against a vastly different backdrop than the movies. While the whereabouts and actions of the Sith in the High Republic era remain unknown, their looming presence is likely to underpin the mysteries of The Acolyte.

The novels and comics delve into various adversaries, such as the Nihil - a notorious group of Outer Rim marauders that posed a significant threat to the Republic. This allows the show to explore conflicts beyond the Sith. If the franchise embraces a return to the prosperous era of the Republic, it would mark a significant departure from how fans have previously perceived the Jedi and their allies and enemies. This shift to the golden age of the Jedi has the potential to redefine their essence and the Force as known to moviegoers. A High Republic series will offer a unique experience, introducing fresh narratives and perspectives to the Star Wars universe. The upcoming series, The Acolyte, will unravel new mysteries set in the High Republic era.