Disney+ has an array of Star Wars content in the pipeline, spanning both animated and live-action formats. One of these upcoming offerings is The Acolyte, a series created by Leslye Headland. This show is poised to provide a more sophisticated and gripping Star Wars encounter, catering to a mature audience.
Star Wars: The Acolyte will take viewers back to the prime days of the Jedi Order. This signifies a new era in the Star Wars universe, expanding beyond the well-known Skywalker Saga. The series will explore the flourishing phase of the Jedi Order, a period not previously explored in novels.
After a year of anticipation, we’ve finally received some details about the cast and several glimpses into the show’s premise. As enthusiasts eagerly anticipate its premiere, let’s explore what we know about the series, including the release date, plot, and everything else.
When is Star Wars: The Acolyte release date?
Lucasfilm has officially confirmed the release year for Star Wars: The Acolyte. This upcoming series was a highlighted project during the Lucasfilm Studio Presentation panel at the Star Wars Celebration 2023 event. Along with unveiling the release year, an exclusive first look at the series was shared exclusively with those in attendance.
Star Wars: The Acolyte is set to premiere in 2024. This might come as a disappointment for fans who were eagerly hoping for a 2023 release for this High Republic-era show.
The announcement of the Star Wars: The Acolyte release year took place at #StarWarsCelebration, with the official Star Wars Twitter account sharing the news and a brief teaser.
Announced in 2020, The Acolyte entered production in October 2022 and wrapped up filming in early June 2023. Given this timeline, assuming that the post-production phase will span about a year is reasonable.
Consequently, The Acolyte will likely be officially released in the second or third quarter of 2024. Disney+ boasts an array of content to offer before that.
Notably, Ahsoka is set to premiere in August, and Star Wars: Skeleton Crew is expected to release in the late fall or early winter.
Is there a trailer for Star Wars: The Acolyte?
The trailer for The Acolyte will most probably debut towards the end of 2023 as the show’s release approaches. Exclusive footage was shown to attendees at SWC 2023, but this content hasn’t been widely released to the public yet.
As the series is still in the filming stage, many other Star Wars enthusiasts eagerly await their first comprehensive glimpse into the storyline and world of The Acolyte.
Nevertheless, the initial trailer was unveiled at Star Wars Celebration Europe in April, and Collider described the showcased footage.
“The trailer opened with Lee Jung-Jae as a Jedi Master teaching a class of younglings at the Jedi Temple. The trailer also featured the first look at series star Amandla Stenberg as a masked warrior, entering into a scuffle with Carrie Ann Moss’ Jedi knight. While the High Republic is an era largely of peace, it’s clear a conflict is brewing as Jedi throughout the galaxy prepare to face mysterious threats from all around.”
Who is in the cast of Star Wars: The Acolyte?
If you wonder whether the cast will be up to providing a captivating mystery-thriller, you can rest easy. The lineup boasts exceptional talent, including the following famous actors and actresses:
Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix) as a Jedi
Amandla Stenberg (The Hate U Give)
Lee Jung-Jae (Squid Game) as a Jedi Master
Manny Jacinto (The Good Place)
Dafne Keen (Logan)
Jodie Turner-Smith (After Yang)
Rebecca Henderson (Russian Doll) will portray Vernestra Rwoh
Charlie Barnett (Russian Doll)
Dean-Charles Chapman (Game of Thrones)
Joonas Suotamo (Solo: A Star Wars Story) as the Wookiee Jedi master Kelnacca
Margarita Levieva (Adventureland)
While details about Jacinto’s character remain scarce, the actor revealed to Collider that his character won’t be wielding a lightsaber, setting him apart from some of his co-stars.
Turner-Smith shared an intriguing insight about her character with Collider:
“Oh, you know what I’m allowed to say? Guess what I’m allowed to say? That I am really powerful. I use the Force, but I’m not a Jedi or Sith [...] Do what you will with that information.”
Several cast members are relatively young. This may imply focusing on training Jedi padawans or incorporating more flashbacks involving Yoda’s teachings.
What do we know about the plot of The Acolyte?
The Acolyte is set in a distant past within the Star Wars universe, occurring a century before the events of The Phantom Menace. This temporal landscape features the existence of renowned Jedi Masters such as Yoda and Yaddle. Iconic figures like Count Dooku and Obi-Wan Kenobi have yet to come into the world.
The narrative revolves around a former Padawan reuniting with her Jedi Master to investigate a series of crimes. Yet, the adversaries they encounter possess malevolent intentions beyond their anticipation. As the story unfolds, it exposes the emergence of dark-side powers and concealed enigmas in the twilight period of the High Republic.
This period depicts the Republic at the height of its power, with Jedi adorned in pristine white-and-gold attire. They are seemingly uninvolved in battles against adversaries. The Sith are absent at this juncture, and the galaxy appears to be a flawless utopia.
However, this idyllic setting is destined to be disrupted. According to the show’s official synopsis, The Acolyte is categorized as a mystery-thriller. The show offers a unique perspective on the dark side’s resurgence and immerses its audience in a realm of hidden secrets.
Hints suggest a connection to a group with a name that rhymes with “Smith,” pointing toward the Sith. Dafne Keen, one of the actresses in the series, essentially confirmed this notion by describing The Acolyte as an exploration of how the Sith infiltrated the Jedi.
Showrunner Leslye Headland reinforced this perspective. She emphasized that the show offers a unique angle by presenting the story from the villains’ perspective, challenging prevailing norms in the era.
Who are the minds behind Star Wars: The Acolyte?
In a departure from the Sith’s rule of two, The Acolyte embraces a team of four directors to guide the series. This diverse quartet brings distinct creative sensibilities to the project.
The Acolyte is the brainchild of Leslye Headland, acclaimed for her co-creation of Netflix’s Russian Doll. Headland holds multiple roles within the project, functioning as a writer, director, and showrunner. Additionally, she is among the executive producers alongside Jason Micallef, Simon Emanuel, Kathleen Kennedy, and Jeff King.
Damian Anderson and Rayne Roberts are also acting as producers. Chris Teague and James Friend occupy the roles of cinematographers. The series will also feature direction by Kogonada (known for After Yang).
Alex Garcia Lopez noted for his remarkable work on the 11-minute one-shot fight sequence in Season 3 of Daredevil, will bring his expertise to The Acolyte, likely delivering impressive lightsaber moments..
Hanelle M. Culpepper, director of Star Trek: Picard and Star Trek: Discovery episodes, adds her expertise to the sci-fi realm.
How many episodes are there in The Acolyte, and what is the runtime?
Reports suggest that The Acolyte will have eight episodes, with an approximate runtime of one hour per episode. This information is sourced from a listing on the Sara Putt Associates website. The website mentions Adelaide Waldrop as the lead intimacy coordinator for the show, indicating her involvement in multiple episodes. However, it’s important to note that Disney has not officially confirmed this information.
Fans are excited to see what Star Wars: The Acolyte will have in store for them. We hope it lives up to their expectations and is worth the wait!
