Fans will finally see the release of Star Wars: The Acolyte on Disney+ in a few days. All eyes are now on the new live-action series, especially after it received early positive reviews from critics following its red-carpet premiere in Los Angeles last week. But as the identity of the acolyte remains a mystery, showrunner Leslye Headland explains what it really means in a new featurette with Lucasfilm chief creative officer Dave Filoni.
You can watch The Acolyte featurette below:
The Acolyte featurette begins with Headland and Filoni facing each other as they talk about Star Wars. As the creator of the new series, the Lucasfilm boss asks Headland to tell him about The Acolyte. From there, the female filmmaker reveals her interest in examining the Sith and the Master-Apprentice dynamic.
“If the apprentice is craving the master’s power, then at some point, he must recruit his apprentice to overthrow the master,” she explains. “And that is the acolyte.”
Headland continues that the villain never thinks they’re the bad guy, just like George Lucas did with Anakin Skywalker. Filoni then chimes in, adding Anakin never feels he has become evil. Hence, for Headland, The Acolyte characters must convince themselves they’re doing the right thing.
The scene then shifts to the young Ahsoka Tano joining the Clone Wars with Anakin. Headland admits Ahsoka is an interesting character for her. So, as the creator of Star Wars: Ahsoka, Filoni talks about the series and claims they had a “shell-shock moment” for the lead character when they were doing it.
“She was out of her depth,” Filoni continues. Guided by Lucas himself, Filoni remembers the Star Wars creator telling them they were taking things seriously. Lucas explained that Ahsoka was never out of her depth, even at a young age.
This reminds Headland of Dafne Keen’s character as Jecki Lon, as someone asked if the young Jedi wouldn’t be scared on her first mission. Filoni adds that Jedi training is valuable as it prepares them for the galaxy. The clip then features Grand Master Yoda’s line, “Do or do not. There is no try” with Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back.
“That’s like if you’re trying, you’re not actually doing it,” Filoni elaborates. Headland then states she has applied it in The Acolyte, revealing her agreement with herself that she has to do it even if it overwhelms her. But aside from special effects and fighting choreography, she’s more afraid of emotional stuff.
She then discusses The Acolyte, describing it as a Western Samurai film that must feel elevated but remain like Star Wars. Filoni claims they’re still tapping into what Lucas started, while Headland reveals it's the North Star that the Lucasfilm founder created.
What is Star Wars: The Acolyte about?
The Acolyte is a mystery-thriller set at the end of the High Republic era. It will explore a new era in Star Wars and see the emergence of the dark side of the Force. A former Padawan will reunite with her Jedi Master to investigate the mysterious killings of the Jedi. But while doing so, they’re about to discover sinister forces more menacing than they thought.
You can read The Acolyte synopsis below:
In The Acolyte , an investigation into a shocking crime spree pits a respected Jedi Master against a dangerous warrior from his past. As more clues emerge, they travel down a dark path where sinister forces reveal all is not what it seems….
The Acolyte’s cast includes Lee Jung-jae as Jedi Master Sol, Dafne Keen as Jecki Lon, Charlie Barnett as Yord Fandar, Carrie-Anne Moss as Jedi Master Indara, and Amandla Stenberg as Mae. In addition, it will feature Manny Jacinto as Qimir, Rebecca Henderson as Vernestra Rwoh, Joonas Suotamo as Wookie Jedi Master Kelnacca, and Jodie Turner-Smith as Mother Aniseya.
Though several details about The Acolyte have been revealed, the identity of its main villain remains a mystery. As Headland previously revealed, fans will soon learn of the real acolyte when the show premieres on June 4 on Disney+.
