Anticipation is growing for The Acolyte, the upcoming live-action Star Wars Disney+ TV series, with Amandla Stenberg promising a High Republic setting that will be unlike anything viewers have seen before. The show, created by Leslye Headland (known for her work on Russian Doll), serves as a prequel to Star Wars’ prequel trilogy, taking place during the High Republic Era, a time of great peace and prosperity for the Jedi and the Republic, decades before the events of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.
In an interview with C Magazine, Amandla Stenberg, who plays the lead role of the Jedi Padawan in The Acolyte, provided more insight into the High Republic setting.
“In the Star Wars universe, this is a time of great peace, theoretically. It’s also a time of institutionalization, where conceptions around the Force are very strict. Our show aims to explore what happens when an institution has a singular conception of how power can be used. We want to provide various perspectives and answers to that question while also honoring the ethos of Star Wars and its ideas around the Force, and hopefully challenging them in a harmonious way.”
Excitement is growing for The Acolyte, the upcoming Star Wars Disney+ TV show set in the High Republic Era. Amandla Stenberg, who plays the Jedi Padawan in the show, has teased that the series will explore the strict conceptions around the Force during a time of great peace and institutional power. Stenberg’s comments suggest that The Acolyte will challenge and honor the ethos of Star Wars, potentially shedding light on the downfall of the Jedi Order. While Stenberg is unable to reveal much about the show, her comments have generated excitement among fans.
The Acolyte marks the conclusion of the Jedi’s Golden Age
The Jedi Golden Age came to an end with the emergence of The Acolyte. This period of darkness marked a significant shift in the balance of power, as the Jedi Order struggled to combat the growing threat of the Sith. Despite their best efforts, the Jedi were ultimately unable to prevent the rise of The Acolyte and the destruction that followed. This tragic event marked the end of an era, and the beginning of a new chapter in the ongoing struggle between the light and dark sides of the Force.
Order during the final days of the High Republic Era
Lucasfilm has published an abundance of novels, comics, and audiobooks that take place during the High Republic Era, showcasing the Order at its finest, with each Jedi able to explore the Force in a relatively independent manner. However, Stenberg alludes to a time when the Force was strictly defined, and the Jedi Code had become rigid and inflexible, causing many to feel constrained. This could potentially create an opportunity for the Sith, as Lucasfilm has hinted that The Acolyte will focus on the Sith’s “infiltration” of the Jedi.
Recent reports suggest that The Acolyte will be released in June 2024. If this is accurate, it won’t be long before Lucasfilm begins official promotion, likely coinciding with the theatrical re-release of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. Stenberg’s remarks only add to the growing anticipation for the show.