Star Wars: The Acolyte will finally be released on Disney+ on Tuesday, June 4. The show has built incredible excitement, with many wanting to know how the new series will play out, given that it’s set in the unexplored timeline of the High Republic Era. However, besides its new setting, viewers also look forward to meeting its new characters, like the lead Jedi Master Sol. But though this Jedi has exuded incredible Force power, Lee Jung-jae reveals feeling a “little awkward” using the Force in The Acolyte.
Jung-jae admitted to feeling silly doing the Force scenes in The Acolyte at his age. In an interview with ComicBook, the South Korean actor revealed he focused on how he looked like dialing in instead of expressing his emotion like he ought to be. Thankfully, things finally got better after he realized it was more about the intentionality than the actual physical acting that he could perfectly execute his scenes using the Force.
“It felt a little awkward at first,” he said. “There's no set answer to how to do it...I thought it was really the pose that was very important at first, but then I realized it was really the emotion behind it.”
From being conscious of how to hold his hand, everything changed when Jung-jae realized that unleashing the Force meant expressing his level of emotion. With more practice and understanding of his character, he learned that the gestural aspect had nothing to do with it but the feeling he had for a specific scenario.
Lee Jung-jae Makes Star Wars History in The Acolyte
Meanwhile, Jung-jae is proud of making Star Wars history by being the first Asian actor to play a Jedi Master in the franchise. After his breakout role in Netflix’s Squid Game, which became a global hit, he nabbed his first international acting role in The Acolyte.
“I believe I'm the first Asian actor to play a Jedi Master,” he told GamesRadar+. “So, I think that is something that's a little bit different.”
Jung-jae believes that previous Star Wars films and shows have had Asian influences, from their costumes to martial arts to choreography. So, given that The Acolyte is set in a different timeline, he’s convinced that its showrunner, Leslye Headland, has the chance to choose an Asian actor to play Jedi Master Sol.
Talking about Headland, he also reveals he’s a fan of her Netflix series, Russian Doll. Hence, he’s surprised that she reaches out to him. As the 2019 comedy-drama series has nothing in common with Star Wars, Jung-jae is confident she will have a fresh take on directing a new Star Wars show.
“I know that she is a Star Wars super fan. So, she knows so much about the universe and the history of Star Wars, down to the small details,” he continued. “I was really looking forward to working with her on this.”
What is Star Wars: The Acolyte about?
The Acolyte will feature Jedi Master Sol as he investigates a mysterious series of Jedi killings in the galaxy far, far away. However, he will later be pitted against his former Padawan, Osha, as they journey to find the truth. They will see the biggest surprise of their lives after finding a darker force hiding behind the shadows.
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….
Aside from Jung-jae, The Acolyte will also feature Dafne Keen as Jecki Lon, Charlie Barnett as Yord Fandar, Carrie-Anne Moss as Jedi Master Indara, and Amandla Stenberg as Mae / Osha. In addition, the cast includes Manny Jacinto as Qimir, Rebecca Henderson as Vernestra Rwoh, Joonas Suotamo as Wookie Jedi Master Kelnacca, and Jodie Turner-Smith as Mother Aniseya.
Finally, fans are about to see what The Acolyte has to offer amid the backlash. With the critics’ early positive reviews, it looks like the show is set to defy the negative assumptions about it.
