The "Star Wars" production team keeps going and going: Most recently, "Andor" particularly impressed critics, and soon "Ahsoka" is expected to satisfy fans of "Star Wars Rebels" and "Clone Wars". Next year, the first live-action series from the High Republic era, "Star Wars: The Acolyte", will finally be released. So find out everything that is known about this exciting new project in this article!

Plot

"The Acolyte" takes place a long time before the events of the "Star Wars" movies, the Jedi Order is at the peak of its power here. As rangers, they protect the rim of the Republic, for example from the Nihil, a group of pirates. Through secret routes in hyperspace, the group always succeeds in roaming the galaxy unnoticed, causing death and destruction. The Jedi must also confront the Drengir, an amorphous plant-like species that seeks to consume all living things.

The focus of the series, however, is on the Sith: at this point, the Jedi Order thinks the Sith have already been exterminated or at least vanished deep into the unknown regions of the galaxy. The emphasis on the Sith is already in the name of the series, as their warriors were known as Acolytes at the time of the Sith Wars. In "The Acolyte", the so-called Order of the Sith Lords will play a role for the first time. In fact, it has been placed in "Legends", so it is no longer considered part of the official canon. However, there are rumors that the series will bring many aspects of it back to canon.

The series is described as a mystery thriller that primarily follows former Jedi apprentice Aura. She encounters the Sith and soon finds herself in the middle of a huge conflict: on one side are the Sith, who want to use her as a tool, on the other side is her former Master Paul, who wants to bring her back to the Light Side.

What we will definitely see are plenty of lightsaber duels. As director Leslye Headland told Variety, the series will be a mix of "Frozen" and "Kill Bill", mainly using samurai movies as general inspiration, like Quentin Tarantino. What other well-known Sith and Jedi we will see remains unclear. In any case, the chosen setting of the High Republic offers a lot of potential.

Cast

The majority of the cast of "The Acolyte" is already known. While it isn't clear yet which role each of the actors will play, the cast is already looking pretty impressive.
The starring role of Aura will be played by Amandla Stenberg. The American actress was last seen in the horror comedy "Bodies Bodies Bodies". Her old mentor Paul is played by Lee Jung-jae. Some of you may know the Korean from the successful Netflix series "Squid Game".

The Jedi

A few of the appearing Jedi are also confirmed: Kelnacca marks the first time we will see a Wookiee Jedi Master in a live-action series - we already know the Wookiee Padawan Gungi from "The Clone Wars" and "The Bad Batch". Kelnacca will be played by Finnish basketball player Joonas Suotamo. Suotamo already assumed the role of Chewbacca in episodes 7 to 9 as well as in "Solo: A Star Wars Story".

Readers of the "Star Wars" books can look forward to a reunion with Jedi Knight Vernestra Rwoh. Vern, as she is called by her friends, is the youngest Jedi in the Order at this time. The character also gives us a clue as to what point in time the series is set: she appeared about 232 years before the Battle of Yavin. A special characteristic of Vern is her lightsaber, which she can turn into a whip - a fact that is regarded as critical among the Jedi. The Mirialan is played by Canadian actress Rebecca Henderson. Henderson is 43 years old, so we assume that we will meet an older version of the Jedi than previously known from the books.

Dean-Charles Chapman will also play a part in the new series and we could already see him on set pictures as Jedi Padawan. Chapman will be recognized by most of you as King Tommen from "Game of Thrones". However, the name of his role in "The Acolyte" is still unknown. One of the most recognizable names in the cast, though, is without question Carrie-Anne Moss. "The Matrix" actress was also featured in the first images shown at the Star Wars Celebration. On them, she can be spotted at a Jedi temple in a fight with Amandla Stenberg's main character Aura. Here, Moss is wielding a yellow lightsaber, so we can safely assume that she is playing a Jedi who guards the temple.

Unknown Roles

Moreover, there will be a character named Jecki. Nothing is known about her yet and she appears neither in the books nor in the comics of the High Republic. She will be played by Dafne Keen, the young actress made famous by her role as Laura in "Logan".

Some known cast members can't be attached to any roles yet: Manny Jacinto, for example, who last appeared in "Top Gun: Maverick". Jodie Turner-Smith is likewise part of the cast: The actress can be seen in a black robe on the first set pictures, so it is likely that she will be one of the Sith. Then, there's Charlie Barnett, who we know from smaller roles in various series, and Margarita Levieva, who appeared in the sci-fi drama "Future World".

Production

The concept, screenplay and direction of "The Acolyte" have all been entrusted to one person: "Russian Doll" creator Leslye Headland. The latter was already given the task of writing a "Star Wars" series with a female lead by Disney in 2020. Casting began in 2021, with filming on October 30, 2022 at Shinfield Studios in the UK under the working title "Paradox". Just like the Star Wars series "The Mandalorian" and "Obi-Wan Kenobi", "The Acolyte" will make use of StageCraft technology, meaning it will be filmed in front of giant LED walls. There is no first teaser or trailer yet, but the series is scheduled to come out on Disney+ in 2024 and will consist of 8 episodes.