There are several reasons why Star Wars: The Acolyte is one of today's most highly anticipated series. For one, it’s the first series set in the High Republic era and will feature a star-studded cast, including Dafne Keen. Famous for her role of X-23 in the 2017 Logan, many are now waiting to see the actress as Padawan Jecki Lon. But before she secured her spot in the show, Keen revealed she almost lost her role after losing track of time.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Keen detailed how she auditioned to be part of The Acolyte. As she had to fly a spaceship and yell coordinates, the 19-year-old found it hard to memorize her lines and just gave up, believing she would never get the role. However, while on a movie date with friends to watch Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, she received a call from Star Wars producer Colin Wilson.
The new Disney+ series’ showrunner, Leslye Headland, liked Keen’s audition, so a call was set up between them to discuss further. However, just when the call was about to happen, the Spanish-British star was on her way to her friend to enjoy a pool party, forgetting her set meeting with Headland.
“It was summertime, and I was living in Spain at the time, and I was going to my friend's pool because it's boiling in Spain in the summertime,” she said. “I was on this bus halfway to the countryside in the middle of nowhere in the mountains in Spain, and I get this email from Leslye being like, ‘I'm on the call, you can hop on whenever.’”
Keen started to panic, admitting she had “completely lost track of time.” Hence, she pressed the bus’ emergency exit button, went to the nearest café at a gas station, and connected her phone to the Wi-Fi. As she finally answered Leslye’s call, she admitted to being torn between telling her the truth or lying about what really happened.
“I fessed up,” she said. “I was like, ‘I'm so sorry. I completely lost track of time. I am in the squelching heat in Spain in summer, and I was going to my friend's house and I thought I'd make it in time and I didn't. I'm so sorry.’”
The His Dark Materials star started panicking that she might lose her role in The Acolyte. However, the opposite happened. Her honesty helped seal the deal.
“She literally laughed out loud,” Keen added. “‘She was like, ‘I was thinking about giving you the part, and the fact that you just told me that shows me you’re the one. You could have lied to me.’”
What is the role of Dafne Keen in Star Wars: The Acolyte?
After seeing her as X-12 in Logan and Lyra Belacqua in His Dark Materials, Keen joins the Star Wars universe as a Jedi. Fans are about to meet Jecki, the Padawan apprentice of Jedi Master Sol, played by the Squid Game breakout star Lee Jung-jae, in The Acolyte.
Despite being a young Jedi, Jecki has the ability to remain calm. She’s also matured for her age. Hence, fans should see how Keen will play her role as a Padawan after seeing her as a mutant in Logan. This time, she’s about to follow the orders of a Jedi Master and not the adamantium-clawed hero, Wolverine.
What is Star Wars: The Acolyte about?
The Acolyte will follow the story of Jedi Master Sol as he goes on a journey to find the murderer behind the series of Jedi killings in the Galaxy. But while doing so, he’s about to meet a dangerous warrior from his past. These two may have a huge conflict, but they will work together to find the real culprit. They will then find themselves on a dangerous path and see evil forces far more dangerous than they thought.
You can read the synopsis below:
In The Acolyte , an investigation into a shocking crime spree pits a respected Jedi Master (Lee Jung-jae) against a dangerous warrior from his past (Amandla Stenberg). As more clues emerge, they travel down a dark path where sinister forces reveal all is not what it seems….
The Acolyte is set to be released on Disney+ on June 4, 2024. Keen proves she’s a real Jedi for following the light side and telling the truth. She even claimed she was perfect for the role because of her honesty.
