The Acolyte Showrunner Explains Why Mae Was Ordered To Kill A Jedi Without Using A Weapon - Spoilers
The second episode of Lucasfilm's latest live-action Star Wars series, The Acolyte, reveals some interesting new details about the dangerous mission Mae was given by the mysterious Dark-side warrior glimpsed in the closing moments of the series premiere.
If you haven't watched yet, here's your spoiler warning.
Shortly after Mae dispatches Master Indara in the first episode, we learn that several other Jedi are on her kill list, and it later comes to light that she has very specific instructions when it comes to her method of assassination.
In episode 2, Qimir reminds Mae that her Master has ordered her to kill at least one of the Jedi without the use of a weapon. It was generally assumed that this was simply down to passing a test of skill, but there's a lot more to it.
"We do go into it in future episodes, but I don't mind talking to...
If you haven't watched yet, here's your spoiler warning.
Shortly after Mae dispatches Master Indara in the first episode, we learn that several other Jedi are on her kill list, and it later comes to light that she has very specific instructions when it comes to her method of assassination.
In episode 2, Qimir reminds Mae that her Master has ordered her to kill at least one of the Jedi without the use of a weapon. It was generally assumed that this was simply down to passing a test of skill, but there's a lot more to it.
"We do go into it in future episodes, but I don't mind talking to...
- 6/7/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
The Acolyte Showrunner Wants to Do a TV Adaptation of Knights of the Old Republic - Main Image
The Acolyte showrunner Leslye Headland recently revealed that she wants to do a TV series adaptation of the hit Star Wars video game Knights of the Old Republic.
The critical response to the premiere episodes has been mostly positive with praises towards Headland's creative vision as she brought a new take to the decades-long mythology of Star Wars.
With the success of Headland's work on the series, some fans are starting to wonder whether we will see her get involved in more Star Wars projects and it looks like she has a title in mind for her potential next step in the franchise.
Leslye Headland Reveals Her Dream Star Wars Project is Knights of the Old Republic TV Series
In a recent interview, Headland opened up about her dream Star Wars project...
The Acolyte showrunner Leslye Headland recently revealed that she wants to do a TV series adaptation of the hit Star Wars video game Knights of the Old Republic.
The critical response to the premiere episodes has been mostly positive with praises towards Headland's creative vision as she brought a new take to the decades-long mythology of Star Wars.
With the success of Headland's work on the series, some fans are starting to wonder whether we will see her get involved in more Star Wars projects and it looks like she has a title in mind for her potential next step in the franchise.
Leslye Headland Reveals Her Dream Star Wars Project is Knights of the Old Republic TV Series
In a recent interview, Headland opened up about her dream Star Wars project...
- 6/7/2024
- EpicStream
‘Star Wars: The Acolyte’ recently premiered with the first two episodes. The show received mixed reviews primarily due to critics praising it and fans blasting it, not liking the “inclusive” tone of the show.
Despite all the controversy surrounding it, the show managed to have the biggest premiere on Disney+ this year being streamed 4.8 million times on the first day of streaming.
The first two episodes showed us very little reasons why we should care about its characters and premise, but it does have some impressive fight scenes. In one of the first scenes, a fight breaks out between Amandla Stenberg’s Mae and Carrie-Anne Moss’ Master Indara.
Despite being a huge part of the marketing campaign and hyping up the show, Indara dies within the first few minutes of the show, which triggers a galaxy-wide hunt to locate and neutralize the most recent threat to the Jedi order.
Fans...
Despite all the controversy surrounding it, the show managed to have the biggest premiere on Disney+ this year being streamed 4.8 million times on the first day of streaming.
The first two episodes showed us very little reasons why we should care about its characters and premise, but it does have some impressive fight scenes. In one of the first scenes, a fight breaks out between Amandla Stenberg’s Mae and Carrie-Anne Moss’ Master Indara.
Despite being a huge part of the marketing campaign and hyping up the show, Indara dies within the first few minutes of the show, which triggers a galaxy-wide hunt to locate and neutralize the most recent threat to the Jedi order.
Fans...
- 6/7/2024
- by Valentina Kraljik
- Comic Basics
It looks like the Star Wars franchise is on a roll as Leslye Headland’s The Acolyte is the newest addition to the franchise. The show had created immense hype prior to its release date, and it has managed to live up to the buzz. The series has featured a magnetic and compelling storyline that would make its viewers want to watch the episodes immediately before it is even released.
The poster of The Acolyte. Credits: Lucasfilm Ltd
The prequel series has a significant impact on the viewers because everything about the show is just perfect down to the last minute detail. Despite the show being a knockout, Headland has been the center of criticism because fans have criticized her ideas and how the show is too woke compared to the other movies and TV series in the franchise; and she can’t catch a break from making the fans mad about her ideas.
The poster of The Acolyte. Credits: Lucasfilm Ltd
The prequel series has a significant impact on the viewers because everything about the show is just perfect down to the last minute detail. Despite the show being a knockout, Headland has been the center of criticism because fans have criticized her ideas and how the show is too woke compared to the other movies and TV series in the franchise; and she can’t catch a break from making the fans mad about her ideas.
- 6/7/2024
- by Tushar Auddy
- FandomWire
“Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic” (Kotor) is a role-playing game developed by BioWare and published by LucasArts. It came out in 2003 and is considered one of the best Star Wars games.
The game is set about 4,000 years before the Galactic Empire, during the early years of the ancient Galactic Republic. It follows the “Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi” comics and focuses on the Mandalorian Wars, where the Mandalorian warrior society invaded the Republic. Despite the Jedi’s hesitation, two renegade Jedi Knights, Revan and Malak, led the Republic’s forces against the Mandalorians.
The game received widespread praise and won many awards, including the Game Developers Choice Awards’ 2004 Game of the Year and BAFTA Games Awards’ Best Xbox Game of the Year. GameSpot named it the Best Xbox Game of July 2003 and Best Computer Game of November 2003. Fans have been asking for a reboot or live-action adaptation for a long time.
The game is set about 4,000 years before the Galactic Empire, during the early years of the ancient Galactic Republic. It follows the “Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi” comics and focuses on the Mandalorian Wars, where the Mandalorian warrior society invaded the Republic. Despite the Jedi’s hesitation, two renegade Jedi Knights, Revan and Malak, led the Republic’s forces against the Mandalorians.
The game received widespread praise and won many awards, including the Game Developers Choice Awards’ 2004 Game of the Year and BAFTA Games Awards’ Best Xbox Game of the Year. GameSpot named it the Best Xbox Game of July 2003 and Best Computer Game of November 2003. Fans have been asking for a reboot or live-action adaptation for a long time.
- 6/7/2024
- by Valentina Kraljik
- Fiction Horizon
‘Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic’ (Kotor) is a role-playing video game developed by BioWare and published by LucasArts. It was released in 2003, and since then, it’s been lauded as one of the best Star Wars games.
The game is set around 4,000 years before the rise of the Galactic Empire, exploring the earlier years of the ancient Galactic Republic following the events of the “Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi” comics. The game’s backstory revolves around the Mandalorian Wars, a pan-galactic conflict initiated by the Mandalorian warrior society invading the Republic. Despite Jedi reluctance, two renegade Jedi Knights, Revan, and Malak, led a Republic force to war against the Mandalorians.
The game received universal acclaim. It won numerous awards, including Game Developers Choice Awards’ 2004 Game of the Year and BAFTA Games Awards’ Best Xbox Game of the Year. GameSpot named it the Best Xbox Game of July...
The game is set around 4,000 years before the rise of the Galactic Empire, exploring the earlier years of the ancient Galactic Republic following the events of the “Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi” comics. The game’s backstory revolves around the Mandalorian Wars, a pan-galactic conflict initiated by the Mandalorian warrior society invading the Republic. Despite Jedi reluctance, two renegade Jedi Knights, Revan, and Malak, led a Republic force to war against the Mandalorians.
The game received universal acclaim. It won numerous awards, including Game Developers Choice Awards’ 2004 Game of the Year and BAFTA Games Awards’ Best Xbox Game of the Year. GameSpot named it the Best Xbox Game of July...
- 6/7/2024
- by Valentina Kraljik
- Comic Basics
Die jüngste „Star Wars“-Serie hat Disney+ das beste Starttagergebnis des Jahres einer Serie beschert.
Besser gestartet als jede andere Disney+-Serie in 2024: „Star Wars: Acolyte“ (Credit: ©2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & Tm)
Mit 4,8 Mio. Abrufen am ersten Tag hat „Star Wars: The Acolyte“ (hier die Spot-Besprechung) Disney+ den besten Starttag des Jahres einer Serie beschert. Das berichten US-Branchenmedien.
Schöpferin der Serie ist Leslye Headland, die zusammen mit Kathleen Kennedy, Simon Emanuel, Jeff F. King and Jason Micallef als Executive Producer fungierte.
In der Hauptrolle spielt Amandla Stenberg die Kriegerin Mae, die es offenbar auf altgediente Jedi-Meister abgesehen hat. Der von Lee Jung-jae gespielte angesehene Jedi-Meister Sol erkennt schnell, dass die Morde mit tragischen Ereignissen auf dem Planeten Brendok 16 Jahre zuvor, an denen er beteiligt war, zu tun haben müssen. Gut möglich, dass er Maes nächstes Opfer sein könnte.
Weitere Rollen haben u.a. Manny Jacinto, Dafne Keen, Charlie Barnett, Jodie Turner-Smith,...
Besser gestartet als jede andere Disney+-Serie in 2024: „Star Wars: Acolyte“ (Credit: ©2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & Tm)
Mit 4,8 Mio. Abrufen am ersten Tag hat „Star Wars: The Acolyte“ (hier die Spot-Besprechung) Disney+ den besten Starttag des Jahres einer Serie beschert. Das berichten US-Branchenmedien.
Schöpferin der Serie ist Leslye Headland, die zusammen mit Kathleen Kennedy, Simon Emanuel, Jeff F. King and Jason Micallef als Executive Producer fungierte.
In der Hauptrolle spielt Amandla Stenberg die Kriegerin Mae, die es offenbar auf altgediente Jedi-Meister abgesehen hat. Der von Lee Jung-jae gespielte angesehene Jedi-Meister Sol erkennt schnell, dass die Morde mit tragischen Ereignissen auf dem Planeten Brendok 16 Jahre zuvor, an denen er beteiligt war, zu tun haben müssen. Gut möglich, dass er Maes nächstes Opfer sein könnte.
Weitere Rollen haben u.a. Manny Jacinto, Dafne Keen, Charlie Barnett, Jodie Turner-Smith,...
- 6/7/2024
- by Jochen Müller
- Spot - Media & Film
The stars and creators of the upcoming Star Wars series The Acolyte gathered on the red carpet, unveiling their much-anticipated show in the United Kingdom last Tuesday. Among them were Manny Jacinto, a pivotal character in the series, and director Leslye Headland. Headland’s Vision for The Acolyte For Leslye Headland, directing The Acolyte is nothing short of a dream fulfilled. Reflecting on her journey, she mentioned, I essentially cold-called Lucasfilm and, after a lot of conversations, found myself pitching a show—utterly elated, my ultimate career goal. However, she also acknowledged the pressure involved in handling such a colossal project, admitting,...
- 6/7/2024
- by Steve Delikson
- TVovermind.com
The Acolyte is off to a promising start on Disney+.
The new Star Wars series launched on June 4 with two episodes, generating 4.8M views in its first day on the streamer. That makes it the biggest series premiere on Disney+ this year.
Disney+ doesn’t generally release viewership data for series after just one day of streaming. In August, the streamer said that Ahsoka drew 14M views in its first 5 days. As of now, The Acolyte is on track to zoom right past that benchmark, but it’ll need to sustain similar viewership over the weekend in order to do so.
The streamer can be a bit inconsistent with its viewership data, generally. When Percy Jackson and the Olympians debuted in December, Disney+ announced that series’ six-day viewership tally. However, releasing the viewership for one single day of viewing does indicate that Disney+ feels quite confident in The Acolyte‘s ability to keep performing well.
The new Star Wars series launched on June 4 with two episodes, generating 4.8M views in its first day on the streamer. That makes it the biggest series premiere on Disney+ this year.
Disney+ doesn’t generally release viewership data for series after just one day of streaming. In August, the streamer said that Ahsoka drew 14M views in its first 5 days. As of now, The Acolyte is on track to zoom right past that benchmark, but it’ll need to sustain similar viewership over the weekend in order to do so.
The streamer can be a bit inconsistent with its viewership data, generally. When Percy Jackson and the Olympians debuted in December, Disney+ announced that series’ six-day viewership tally. However, releasing the viewership for one single day of viewing does indicate that Disney+ feels quite confident in The Acolyte‘s ability to keep performing well.
- 6/6/2024
- by Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
“The Acolyte,” Disney+’s newest Star Wars series, reached 4.8 million views in its first day of availability. This marks the streamer’s biggest series premiere of 2024, according to Disney.
An exact first-day viewership total isn’t available for “Ahsoka,” the most recent Star Wars series, though Disney did report that it took five days to reach 14 million views. That comes out to an average of 2.8 million viewers per day — 2 million below the launch of “The Acolyte.” (Note: a “view” is calculated by dividing the number of hours each title is watched by its runtime.)
Variety critic Alison Herman likens “The Acolyte” to “Andor” and “The Last Jedi” for its “willingness to put its own spin on hallowed lore.” Additionally, her review noted that the series “propelled by plentiful action, much of it hand-to-hand combat heavily inflected with martial arts. But the action itself is rooted in conflict with stakes both...
An exact first-day viewership total isn’t available for “Ahsoka,” the most recent Star Wars series, though Disney did report that it took five days to reach 14 million views. That comes out to an average of 2.8 million viewers per day — 2 million below the launch of “The Acolyte.” (Note: a “view” is calculated by dividing the number of hours each title is watched by its runtime.)
Variety critic Alison Herman likens “The Acolyte” to “Andor” and “The Last Jedi” for its “willingness to put its own spin on hallowed lore.” Additionally, her review noted that the series “propelled by plentiful action, much of it hand-to-hand combat heavily inflected with martial arts. But the action itself is rooted in conflict with stakes both...
- 6/6/2024
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
5 Things You May Have Missed in Star Wars: The Acolyte Episode 2 Revenge / Justice - Main Image
Star Wars: The Acolyte premiered on Disney+ on Tuesday, June 4. In addition to taking fans to the High Republic Era, the series features several Easter eggs and references to the greater Star Wars canon and timeline.
The Acolyte tells the story of the mysterious killings of the Jedi at the hands of an unknown figure.
The two-episode premiere takes a surprising turn, with Osha initially suspected as the Jedi Killer. However, as her former Jedi Master Sol embarks on an investigation, they uncover a shocking truth-the real murderer is her twin sister, Mae, who they believe to be deceased.
With its interesting plot and several references to the franchise, here are the five things fans may have missed in The Acolyte Episode 2, Revenge / Justice.
The Existence of Jedi Temples
The Jedi Order has closed...
Star Wars: The Acolyte premiered on Disney+ on Tuesday, June 4. In addition to taking fans to the High Republic Era, the series features several Easter eggs and references to the greater Star Wars canon and timeline.
The Acolyte tells the story of the mysterious killings of the Jedi at the hands of an unknown figure.
The two-episode premiere takes a surprising turn, with Osha initially suspected as the Jedi Killer. However, as her former Jedi Master Sol embarks on an investigation, they uncover a shocking truth-the real murderer is her twin sister, Mae, who they believe to be deceased.
With its interesting plot and several references to the franchise, here are the five things fans may have missed in The Acolyte Episode 2, Revenge / Justice.
The Existence of Jedi Temples
The Jedi Order has closed...
- 6/6/2024
- EpicStream
The Acolyte is set during The High Republic Era and plays out around 100 years before the events of The Phantom Menace. The Jedi Order is at the height of its power and the Galaxy is at peace, a far cry from the rise of the Empire during the prequels.
The Disney+ series has, unfortunately, already received backlash for featuring a diverse cast. Now, a new interview with showrunner Leslye Headland and lead star Amandla Stenberg is likely to only further incense its detractors.
The Wrap (via SFFGazette.com) asked them whether The Acolyte really is "the gayest Star Wars yet," to which Headland responded, "No, I don't think so. Yet people have told me it's the gayest Star Wars and I’m frankly..."
"You're offended?" Stenberg asked. "Into it," Headland responded with a laugh.
They'd go on to poke fun at some of the wider Star Wars franchise's supposed gay themes,...
The Disney+ series has, unfortunately, already received backlash for featuring a diverse cast. Now, a new interview with showrunner Leslye Headland and lead star Amandla Stenberg is likely to only further incense its detractors.
The Wrap (via SFFGazette.com) asked them whether The Acolyte really is "the gayest Star Wars yet," to which Headland responded, "No, I don't think so. Yet people have told me it's the gayest Star Wars and I’m frankly..."
"You're offended?" Stenberg asked. "Into it," Headland responded with a laugh.
They'd go on to poke fun at some of the wider Star Wars franchise's supposed gay themes,...
- 6/6/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
The first two episodes of The Acolyte are now streaming on Disney+, and Lucasfilm's latest live-action Star Wars series wastes little time in subverting audience expectations when it comes to one particular character.
Major spoilers follow.
In the series premiere,"Lost/Found," we see mysterious warrior Mae (Amandla Stenberg) confront Jedi Master Indara (Carrie-Anne Moss) in a cantina and command her to attack "with everything she has." Initially dismissive, Indara soon finds herself staring into a familiar face from her past, and the battle is on.
Unable to get the better of the Jedi in a fair fight, Mae resorts to throwing one of her blades at the bartender, and when Indara uses the Force to stop the weapon before it strikes, the Dark-side assassin takes advantage of the distraction by flinging another knife into her opponent's chest.
Killing off the character many assumed was going to be one...
Major spoilers follow.
In the series premiere,"Lost/Found," we see mysterious warrior Mae (Amandla Stenberg) confront Jedi Master Indara (Carrie-Anne Moss) in a cantina and command her to attack "with everything she has." Initially dismissive, Indara soon finds herself staring into a familiar face from her past, and the battle is on.
Unable to get the better of the Jedi in a fair fight, Mae resorts to throwing one of her blades at the bartender, and when Indara uses the Force to stop the weapon before it strikes, the Dark-side assassin takes advantage of the distraction by flinging another knife into her opponent's chest.
Killing off the character many assumed was going to be one...
- 6/6/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
The Acolyte, the latest entry in the Star Wars saga, is about to introduce an iconic scene reminiscent of the Mos Eisley Cantina from A New Hope. Series creator Leslye Headland draws deeply from her passion for the franchise to breathe new life into this upcoming Disney+ show. Setting the Scene on Tatooine The Mos Eisley Cantina is one of the most fabulous creations in the entire Star Wars franchise. Many fans will recognize a similar eatery in The Acolyte, drawing inspiration from this beloved spaceport bar. As Headland nods to these famous scenes, viewers can eagerly anticipate how they...
- 6/6/2024
- by Steve Delikson
- TVovermind.com
Leslye Headland, the first woman to create a Star Wars TV series, expressed both excitement and trepidation with The Acolyte. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t scared, she confessed. Known for her work on Russian Doll, this project fulfills a lifelong dream, albeit one with massive expectations. The Force of Representation in The Acolyte Headland emphasized that storytelling within the Star Wars universe must be representative of all people. My belief is that storytelling does need to be representative of all people. That’s an easy decision for me, noted Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy. This ethos is reflected...
- 6/6/2024
- by Steve Delikson
- TVovermind.com
The Acolyte Showrunner Explains the Use of Iconic Star Wars Line in Episode 2 - Main Image
The Acolyte showrunner Leslye Headland recently opened up about her decision to include an iconic Star Wars line in the series.
The second episode saw Charlie Barnett's Yord mentioning the line "I have a bad feeling about this" to Jecki Lon during a brief moment prior to the intense duel between Sol and Mae.
It continued the long-time Star Wars tradition as we've heard the line being mentioned by fan-favorite characters such as Luke Skywalker and Han Solo in past films.
The Acolyte Showrunner Addresses Why She Used the Iconic Star Wars Line
In an interview, Headland addressed why she included the iconic "I have a bad feeling about this" line in The Acolyte.
She explained that she'd always wanted to include the line in the series and fought for its inclusion as...
The Acolyte showrunner Leslye Headland recently opened up about her decision to include an iconic Star Wars line in the series.
The second episode saw Charlie Barnett's Yord mentioning the line "I have a bad feeling about this" to Jecki Lon during a brief moment prior to the intense duel between Sol and Mae.
It continued the long-time Star Wars tradition as we've heard the line being mentioned by fan-favorite characters such as Luke Skywalker and Han Solo in past films.
The Acolyte Showrunner Addresses Why She Used the Iconic Star Wars Line
In an interview, Headland addressed why she included the iconic "I have a bad feeling about this" line in The Acolyte.
She explained that she'd always wanted to include the line in the series and fought for its inclusion as...
- 6/6/2024
- EpicStream
The Acolyte's Callback to Rystáll Sant Means the World to Hardcore Fans - Main Image
As The Acolyte debuts its first two episodes on Disney+, fans couldn't help but notice Dafne Keen's Jecki Lon having similar attributes to a rare species in the original trilogy. Here's how The Acolyte connects Rystáll Sant's Theelin species in the Jedi Order.
Who is Rystáll Sant? Meet the First of Her Kind in Return of the Jedi
Rystáll Sant (played by Mercedes Ngoh) is essentially one of the earliest half-human, half-Theelin species made canon in the Star Wars franchise.
She first appeared in the special edition of Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi, specifically in Jabba the Hutt's Palace.
She was born to a Theelin father and a human mother, and when she was abandoned as a baby, Rystáll gets adopted by an Ortolan couple who happened to work as musicians.
As The Acolyte debuts its first two episodes on Disney+, fans couldn't help but notice Dafne Keen's Jecki Lon having similar attributes to a rare species in the original trilogy. Here's how The Acolyte connects Rystáll Sant's Theelin species in the Jedi Order.
Who is Rystáll Sant? Meet the First of Her Kind in Return of the Jedi
Rystáll Sant (played by Mercedes Ngoh) is essentially one of the earliest half-human, half-Theelin species made canon in the Star Wars franchise.
She first appeared in the special edition of Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi, specifically in Jabba the Hutt's Palace.
She was born to a Theelin father and a human mother, and when she was abandoned as a baby, Rystáll gets adopted by an Ortolan couple who happened to work as musicians.
- 6/6/2024
- EpicStream
The review embargo for The Acolyte lifted yesterday and with 80 verdicts now counted from critics, it sits at a "Certified Fresh" 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes. As we first explained on SFFGazette.com, that puts it in the same ballpark as Andor (96%).
A "Critics Consensus" has also been generated which reads, "Taking fresh risks with Star Wars lore while having infectious fun playing with the stylistic trappings of a galaxy far, far away, The Acolyte is a Padawan series with the potential to become a Master."
However, the Audience Score seems to tell a very different story as it sits at a lowly 46%.
There does appear to be some evidence of review bombing here because it was on 48% several hours before The Acolyte premiered on Disney+. A quick look on social media suggests the main gripe among those "fans" is the show's diverse cast and a supposed "woke agenda" from Lucasfilm.
A "Critics Consensus" has also been generated which reads, "Taking fresh risks with Star Wars lore while having infectious fun playing with the stylistic trappings of a galaxy far, far away, The Acolyte is a Padawan series with the potential to become a Master."
However, the Audience Score seems to tell a very different story as it sits at a lowly 46%.
There does appear to be some evidence of review bombing here because it was on 48% several hours before The Acolyte premiered on Disney+. A quick look on social media suggests the main gripe among those "fans" is the show's diverse cast and a supposed "woke agenda" from Lucasfilm.
- 6/5/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
[This story contains spoilers for the first two episodes of Star Wars: The Acolyte.]
If you study enough trailers and promotional spots, you’ll start to notice the very deep game that trailer editors will sometimes play, especially with franchises as notoriously coy as Star Wars. Of course, any coded language is most evident when watching marketing materials after you’ve finally viewed the title in question, but in the case of the Leslye Headland-created and Amandla Stenberg-led The Acolyte, our first glimpse of their mystery-thriller series offered a few lines that were bound to perk up ears.
In March, when The Acolyte’s official trailer debuted, it began with Lee Jung-jae’s Master Sol addressing a group of Jedi younglings by saying, “Close your eyes. Your eyes can deceive you. We must not trust them.” That’s when yours truly theorized that Lee’s character was also offering meta advice to the audience about the Disney+ series’ overall narrative,...
If you study enough trailers and promotional spots, you’ll start to notice the very deep game that trailer editors will sometimes play, especially with franchises as notoriously coy as Star Wars. Of course, any coded language is most evident when watching marketing materials after you’ve finally viewed the title in question, but in the case of the Leslye Headland-created and Amandla Stenberg-led The Acolyte, our first glimpse of their mystery-thriller series offered a few lines that were bound to perk up ears.
In March, when The Acolyte’s official trailer debuted, it began with Lee Jung-jae’s Master Sol addressing a group of Jedi younglings by saying, “Close your eyes. Your eyes can deceive you. We must not trust them.” That’s when yours truly theorized that Lee’s character was also offering meta advice to the audience about the Disney+ series’ overall narrative,...
- 6/5/2024
- by Brian Davids
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The first two episodes of The Acolyte are now streaming on Disney+, and the series premiere includes a couple of call-backs to the original Star Wars trilogy that can't have slipped past too many fans of the Galaxy Far, Far Away.
Though these aren't exactly massive reveals, if you haven't watched yet and would rather know as little as possible, here's your spoiler warning.
The first nod to classic Star Wars was probably to be expected in a show focusing on Jedi, as we hear Master Vanestra Rwoh (Rebecca Henderson) say “May the Force be with you” to Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae) as he departs on a mission. The second is also an oft-repeated Star Wars phrase, but some fans seem to think that it felt a little more... forced.
While waiting with a trap laid for Mae (Amandla Stenberg) on the planet Olega, Jedi Knight Yord Fandar (Charlie Barnett...
Though these aren't exactly massive reveals, if you haven't watched yet and would rather know as little as possible, here's your spoiler warning.
The first nod to classic Star Wars was probably to be expected in a show focusing on Jedi, as we hear Master Vanestra Rwoh (Rebecca Henderson) say “May the Force be with you” to Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae) as he departs on a mission. The second is also an oft-repeated Star Wars phrase, but some fans seem to think that it felt a little more... forced.
While waiting with a trap laid for Mae (Amandla Stenberg) on the planet Olega, Jedi Knight Yord Fandar (Charlie Barnett...
- 6/5/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
If you want to watch Charlie Barnett star in a Leslye Headland show about complex people navigating sci-fi constructs, you now have multiple choices – the Russian Doll star has followed that series’ creator into The Acolyte. This time, he’s not stuck in a time loop, but instead plays highly-strung Jedi Knight Yord Fandar, unravelling the Force-centric murder-mystery at the core of Headland’s Star Wars show.
Empire sat down with Barnett to talk his entry into the Star Wars universe, his fandom of the animated series, why he initially wanted a purple lightsaber, and Jedi rivalries.
Empire: Were you a Star Wars fan going into The Acolyte?
Charlie Barnett: I am, and was, a Star Wars fan. But I say that with acknowledgment to the levels of Star Wars fandoms. I am not a Bible. I am a fan from the joy I have gotten since I was...
Empire sat down with Barnett to talk his entry into the Star Wars universe, his fandom of the animated series, why he initially wanted a purple lightsaber, and Jedi rivalries.
Empire: Were you a Star Wars fan going into The Acolyte?
Charlie Barnett: I am, and was, a Star Wars fan. But I say that with acknowledgment to the levels of Star Wars fandoms. I am not a Bible. I am a fan from the joy I have gotten since I was...
- 6/5/2024
- by Ben Travis
- Empire - TV
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is currently confronting a problem that was once a feature of the franchise's success. All of the movies (and TV shows) from Marvel Studios share the same universe, allowing characters to cross from one superhero franchise into another. This is what made the evolution and rise of The Infinity Saga so exciting, as Marvel paid off an ongoing story arc with the culmination of an amazing two-part finale in the form of "Avengers: Infinity War" and "Avengers: Endgame." Unfortunately, since then, audiences and even dedicated fans have become burdened by the interconnectivity of the MCU, much like the comics that inspired it -- and it seems "Star Wars" has been having the same issue in recent years, albeit in a different way.
Beginning with "Star Wars" in 1977, the "Star Wars" franchise was primarily defined by what is known as the Skywalker saga, focusing on the stories...
Beginning with "Star Wars" in 1977, the "Star Wars" franchise was primarily defined by what is known as the Skywalker saga, focusing on the stories...
- 6/5/2024
- by Ethan Anderton
- Slash Film
The Star Wars universe is one of the biggest ever with a rich tapestry of characters, planets, and stories. Just like the MCU or DC universe, Star Wars too has expanded to include several new stories, comic books, novels, and more. While fans of the franchise have pretty much considered everything canon of their own accord, George Lucas has had other ideas.
The Star Wars franchise | PC: StarWars.com
Way back, the Star Wars creator himself stated none of the expanded universes is part of the official Star Wars saga, a deed that Disney did when it purchased Lucasfilm back in 2012.
George Lucas Does Not Consider Star Wars Expanded Universe Canon
George Lucas | PC: Nicolas Genin/Wikimedia Commons
The Expanded Universe of the space opera saga is actually all the additional stories that were created outside of the original Star Wars movies. Including everything from books, comics, video games, and...
The Star Wars franchise | PC: StarWars.com
Way back, the Star Wars creator himself stated none of the expanded universes is part of the official Star Wars saga, a deed that Disney did when it purchased Lucasfilm back in 2012.
George Lucas Does Not Consider Star Wars Expanded Universe Canon
George Lucas | PC: Nicolas Genin/Wikimedia Commons
The Expanded Universe of the space opera saga is actually all the additional stories that were created outside of the original Star Wars movies. Including everything from books, comics, video games, and...
- 6/5/2024
- by Maria Sultan
- FandomWire
After a series of major announcements, Disney’s new Star Wars project, The Acolyte, quickly gained attention and was on track to become the most controversial Star Wars project of all time, even before its official premiere. The series premiered on Disney+ on June 4, 2024, with two episodes, and critics and fans can now finally share their opinions on the much-discussed show.
While we’ll cover the reviews in a separate article, the show’s controversial showrunner, Leslye Headland, recently described The Acolyte as “the gayest Star Wars” to date, a statement that might upset some fans.
Headland has faced fan outrage for a while, as many believe her approach to the Star Wars universe is completely off. Her own admission that she wasn’t a fan of the franchise and had very little prior knowledge hasn’t helped her case.
This “revelation” came during an interview with The Wrap, where Headland and the series’ star,...
While we’ll cover the reviews in a separate article, the show’s controversial showrunner, Leslye Headland, recently described The Acolyte as “the gayest Star Wars” to date, a statement that might upset some fans.
Headland has faced fan outrage for a while, as many believe her approach to the Star Wars universe is completely off. Her own admission that she wasn’t a fan of the franchise and had very little prior knowledge hasn’t helped her case.
This “revelation” came during an interview with The Wrap, where Headland and the series’ star,...
- 6/5/2024
- by Arthur S. Poe
- Comic Basics
After a series of major announcements recently, Disney’s new Star Wars project, The Acolyte, quickly gained notoriety and was on track to become the most controversial Star Wars project of all time, even before its official premiere. The series officially premiered on Disney+ on June 4, 2024, with two episodes, and the critics and fans will now finally be able to give their opinions on the talked-about series. While we are going to cover the reviews in a separate article, the show’s controversial showrunner Leslye Headland has recently described The Acolyte as “the gayest Star Wars” to date, a fact that might anger a lot of fans.
Headland has been a target of fan outrage for some time now, as fans think that her approach to the Star Wars universe is completely off; the fact that she herself stated that she was not a fan of the franchise and that...
Headland has been a target of fan outrage for some time now, as fans think that her approach to the Star Wars universe is completely off; the fact that she herself stated that she was not a fan of the franchise and that...
- 6/5/2024
- by Arthur S. Poe
- Fiction Horizon
There will be spoilers for the first and second episodes of "Star Wars: The Acolyte," so beware.
"Star Wars: The Acolyte" is the latest Disney+ show that's set in a brand new space in the timeline of a galaxy far, far away. With no significant details to latch on to from the trailer, it's been a little difficult pinpointing exactly where the show is set. Showrunners and Lucasfilm have said in the press that it takes place at the end of the High Republic era, which the books have established take place starting about 200 years prior to the events of "The Phantom Menace."
With Vernestra Rwoh, a character appearing in both the High Republic books and "The Acolyte," some thought it would be useful to peg the timing of the show to her age, assuming that the species of Vernestra, which is Mirialan, ages at about the same rate as humans.
"Star Wars: The Acolyte" is the latest Disney+ show that's set in a brand new space in the timeline of a galaxy far, far away. With no significant details to latch on to from the trailer, it's been a little difficult pinpointing exactly where the show is set. Showrunners and Lucasfilm have said in the press that it takes place at the end of the High Republic era, which the books have established take place starting about 200 years prior to the events of "The Phantom Menace."
With Vernestra Rwoh, a character appearing in both the High Republic books and "The Acolyte," some thought it would be useful to peg the timing of the show to her age, assuming that the species of Vernestra, which is Mirialan, ages at about the same rate as humans.
- 6/5/2024
- by Bryan Young
- Slash Film
There will be spoilers for the first and second episodes of "Star Wars: The Acolyte," so beware.
Osha, played in "Star Wars: The Acolyte" by Amandla Stenberg, has a really bad day in the show's premiere episode. First, she's forced to face an explosion while making repairs on the outside of a Trade Federation ship, and then she's accused of a murder she claims she didn't commit and arrested by her old friend from the Jedi Order who is a now a humorless, no-nonsense Jedi Knight who doesn't seem at all pleased to see her.
Next, she's shipped back to Coruscant aboard a Republic prison ship operated by droids. And that's just the start of her bad time. When the other prisoners reveal their plan to escape, she confesses that she's placing her trust in the Jedi, and they leave her out of the plan and take the ship over...
Osha, played in "Star Wars: The Acolyte" by Amandla Stenberg, has a really bad day in the show's premiere episode. First, she's forced to face an explosion while making repairs on the outside of a Trade Federation ship, and then she's accused of a murder she claims she didn't commit and arrested by her old friend from the Jedi Order who is a now a humorless, no-nonsense Jedi Knight who doesn't seem at all pleased to see her.
Next, she's shipped back to Coruscant aboard a Republic prison ship operated by droids. And that's just the start of her bad time. When the other prisoners reveal their plan to escape, she confesses that she's placing her trust in the Jedi, and they leave her out of the plan and take the ship over...
- 6/5/2024
- by Bryan Young
- Slash Film
The Acolyte, Disney’s latest high-profile Star Wars show, is set well before the the Skywalker era. Here’s our review of the first two episodes.
Disney’s The Acolyte premiered its first two episodes with a lot of expectations on its shoulders. The recent Star Wars shows have been full of ups and downs; The Mandalorian has lost its groove, Obi-Wan Kenobi was disappointing nostalgia bait, but Andor was genuinely excellent.
The Acolyte has promised to be a darker, more violent take on the galaxy far, far away. But based on the first two episodes, showrunner Leslye Headland has so far served up more of the same as what came before.
We’ll do our best to give you a relatively spoiler-free description of the premise. A young Force-user is wreaking havoc in the galaxy, killing Jedi masters. Lee Jung-jae’s Sol investigates along with a former Padawan and,...
Disney’s The Acolyte premiered its first two episodes with a lot of expectations on its shoulders. The recent Star Wars shows have been full of ups and downs; The Mandalorian has lost its groove, Obi-Wan Kenobi was disappointing nostalgia bait, but Andor was genuinely excellent.
The Acolyte has promised to be a darker, more violent take on the galaxy far, far away. But based on the first two episodes, showrunner Leslye Headland has so far served up more of the same as what came before.
We’ll do our best to give you a relatively spoiler-free description of the premise. A young Force-user is wreaking havoc in the galaxy, killing Jedi masters. Lee Jung-jae’s Sol investigates along with a former Padawan and,...
- 6/5/2024
- by Maria Lattila
- Film Stories
The Acolyte Showrunner Explains the Decision Behind Indara's Shocking Death - Main Image
The Acolyte showrunner Leslye Headland opened up about her decision to kill off Carrie-Anne Moss' character Indara during the opening moments of the first episode.
A lot of fans were surprised when Indara met her demise in the cold open of the show's premiere episode, especially since the trailers seemingly positioned her as one of the main characters.
While it was unfortunate that the character won't have a major presence, it also raised the stakes of the story as it showed that not everyone is safe and the series has a no-holds-barred approach in its storytelling.
Spoiler Warning: This article includes spoilers for The Acolyte episode 1, so proceed with caution.
Leslye Headland Explains Indara's Death in The Acolyte Episode 1
In an interview, Headland addressed her decision to kill off Indara during the cold open of the first episode of The Acolyte.
The Acolyte showrunner Leslye Headland opened up about her decision to kill off Carrie-Anne Moss' character Indara during the opening moments of the first episode.
A lot of fans were surprised when Indara met her demise in the cold open of the show's premiere episode, especially since the trailers seemingly positioned her as one of the main characters.
While it was unfortunate that the character won't have a major presence, it also raised the stakes of the story as it showed that not everyone is safe and the series has a no-holds-barred approach in its storytelling.
Spoiler Warning: This article includes spoilers for The Acolyte episode 1, so proceed with caution.
Leslye Headland Explains Indara's Death in The Acolyte Episode 1
In an interview, Headland addressed her decision to kill off Indara during the cold open of the first episode of The Acolyte.
- 6/5/2024
- EpicStream
‘Star Wars: The Acolyte’ just released its first two episodes. The series is set during the High Republic era, about 100 years before the first movie in the franchise, ‘The Phantom Menace.’
While the High Republic era was previously explored in ‘Young Jedi Adventures,’ this is the first live-action adaptation of this time period. This opens up the opportunity to delve into Expanded Universe tales, especially those about Darth Plagueis, which were previously non-canon.
Darth Plagueis, a Sith Lord predating the Skywalker Saga, met his end before the events of ‘The Phantom Menace,’ slain by his apprentice Palpatine. Though their direct interaction isn’t feasible due to Palpatine’s age during the film, we may glimpse a younger Plagueis.
Plagueis was renowned for his mastery of the Dark Side and his manipulation of midi-chlorians, the microscopic entities granting Force sensitivity. His pursuit of immortality hints at his potential to prolong his life.
While the High Republic era was previously explored in ‘Young Jedi Adventures,’ this is the first live-action adaptation of this time period. This opens up the opportunity to delve into Expanded Universe tales, especially those about Darth Plagueis, which were previously non-canon.
Darth Plagueis, a Sith Lord predating the Skywalker Saga, met his end before the events of ‘The Phantom Menace,’ slain by his apprentice Palpatine. Though their direct interaction isn’t feasible due to Palpatine’s age during the film, we may glimpse a younger Plagueis.
Plagueis was renowned for his mastery of the Dark Side and his manipulation of midi-chlorians, the microscopic entities granting Force sensitivity. His pursuit of immortality hints at his potential to prolong his life.
- 6/5/2024
- by Valentina Kraljik
- Fiction Horizon
‘Star Wars: The Acolyte’ recently dropped the first two episodes. The show takes place during the High Republic era or 100 years before the chronologically first movie in the franchise, ‘The Phantom Menace.’
Although High Republic Era was already touched upon in ‘Young Jedi Adventures,’ this is the first time this time period is adapted to live-action which means there is a lot of potential to explore some of the Expanded Universe stories, particularly non-canon stories related to Darth Plagueis.
Darth Plagueis was a Sith Lord who lived before the events of the Skywalker Saga, he is already dead during the events of Phantom Menace, killed by his own apprentice Palpatine, and while we can’t possibly see the two of them interact in this setting due to Palpatine only being in his 50s during the events of ‘Phantom Menace,’ we might as well see young Plagueis.
Plagueis was known for...
Although High Republic Era was already touched upon in ‘Young Jedi Adventures,’ this is the first time this time period is adapted to live-action which means there is a lot of potential to explore some of the Expanded Universe stories, particularly non-canon stories related to Darth Plagueis.
Darth Plagueis was a Sith Lord who lived before the events of the Skywalker Saga, he is already dead during the events of Phantom Menace, killed by his own apprentice Palpatine, and while we can’t possibly see the two of them interact in this setting due to Palpatine only being in his 50s during the events of ‘Phantom Menace,’ we might as well see young Plagueis.
Plagueis was known for...
- 6/5/2024
- by Valentina Kraljik
- Comic Basics
The first two episodes of The Acolyte are now streaming on Disney+, and Lucasfilm's latest live-action Star Wars series certainly starts with a bang. You might even say it slays!
Major spoilers follow.
The premiere begins with mysterious masked warrior Mae (Amandla Stenberg) walking into a cantina and challenging Jedi Master Indara (Carrie -Anne Moss) to a duel. We've seen quite a bit of their ensuing battle in the various trailers and TV spots, but the outcome is sure to come as a shock to many viewers.
Unable to get the better of Indara in a fair fight, Mae resorts to throwing one of her blades at the bartender, and when her Jedi opponent uses the Force to stop the weapon before it strikes, the Dark-side assassin takes advantage of the distraction by flinging another knife into Indara's chest - killing her almost instantly.
During an interview with EW,...
Major spoilers follow.
The premiere begins with mysterious masked warrior Mae (Amandla Stenberg) walking into a cantina and challenging Jedi Master Indara (Carrie -Anne Moss) to a duel. We've seen quite a bit of their ensuing battle in the various trailers and TV spots, but the outcome is sure to come as a shock to many viewers.
Unable to get the better of Indara in a fair fight, Mae resorts to throwing one of her blades at the bartender, and when her Jedi opponent uses the Force to stop the weapon before it strikes, the Dark-side assassin takes advantage of the distraction by flinging another knife into Indara's chest - killing her almost instantly.
During an interview with EW,...
- 6/5/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
Showrunner Leslye Headland described Star Wars: The Acolyte as a “fresh entry point,” and that’s exactly what she delivered in the first two episodes, which premiered Tuesday on Disney+.
Set in the final days of the High Republic era — before the events of The Phantom Menace — the mystery thriller tells the original story of a former Jedi reuniting with her master to solve a string of murders, confronting a darkness they hadn’t anticipated along the way.
More from TVLineClipped Premiere Recap: Did Hulu's Basketball Drama Score? Grade It!Star Trek: Discovery Boss Breaks Down That 'Calypso' Nod,...
Set in the final days of the High Republic era — before the events of The Phantom Menace — the mystery thriller tells the original story of a former Jedi reuniting with her master to solve a string of murders, confronting a darkness they hadn’t anticipated along the way.
More from TVLineClipped Premiere Recap: Did Hulu's Basketball Drama Score? Grade It!Star Trek: Discovery Boss Breaks Down That 'Calypso' Nod,...
- 6/5/2024
- by Keisha Hatchett
- TVLine.com
Spoiler Warning: This story mentions major plot developments in the series premiere of “Star Wars: The Acolyte,” now streaming on Disney+.
The first episode of “Star Wars: The Acolyte” has arrived on Disney+ from a galaxy far, far away, and with its debut comes two major revelations: the shocking death of Jedi Master Indara, played by Carrie-Anne Moss, and the confirmation that the show’s star, Amandla Stenberg, is playing twins. Fans suspected the latter after a recent trailer’s subtitle description labeled Stenberg’s character as Osha, instead of her character’s previously announced name, Mae. But Moss’ death came as a surprise, since the marketing has positioned the actor as one of the show’s leads.
Stenberg leads the cast as identical twin sisters Mae and Osha. While Osha spent her days repairing intergalactic cargo ships, Mae transformed herself into the ferocious Jedi assassin known as the Acolyte.
The first episode of “Star Wars: The Acolyte” has arrived on Disney+ from a galaxy far, far away, and with its debut comes two major revelations: the shocking death of Jedi Master Indara, played by Carrie-Anne Moss, and the confirmation that the show’s star, Amandla Stenberg, is playing twins. Fans suspected the latter after a recent trailer’s subtitle description labeled Stenberg’s character as Osha, instead of her character’s previously announced name, Mae. But Moss’ death came as a surprise, since the marketing has positioned the actor as one of the show’s leads.
Stenberg leads the cast as identical twin sisters Mae and Osha. While Osha spent her days repairing intergalactic cargo ships, Mae transformed herself into the ferocious Jedi assassin known as the Acolyte.
- 6/5/2024
- by Jack Dunn
- Variety Film + TV
This article contains mild spoilers for "Star Wars: The Acolyte" episodes 1 and 2.
"Star Wars: The Acolyte," the brand new show on Disney+ set in a galaxy far, far away, is about as far removed from anything we've previously seen in the live-action "Star Wars" universe as you can get. Its story takes place in the High Republic era, a time period that most audiences are completely unfamiliar with and is entirely divorced from the events of the Skywalker Saga along with the majority of other live-action "Star Wars" projects released up to this point. Taking place roughly 100 years before "Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace," there are very few constants for "The Acolyte" to fall back on.
One of those constants, however, involves bringing a key character from the High Republic books -- that of the Jedi Vernestra Rwoh -- into live-action in a way that might be surprising.
"Star Wars: The Acolyte," the brand new show on Disney+ set in a galaxy far, far away, is about as far removed from anything we've previously seen in the live-action "Star Wars" universe as you can get. Its story takes place in the High Republic era, a time period that most audiences are completely unfamiliar with and is entirely divorced from the events of the Skywalker Saga along with the majority of other live-action "Star Wars" projects released up to this point. Taking place roughly 100 years before "Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace," there are very few constants for "The Acolyte" to fall back on.
One of those constants, however, involves bringing a key character from the High Republic books -- that of the Jedi Vernestra Rwoh -- into live-action in a way that might be surprising.
- 6/5/2024
- by Bryan Young
- Slash Film
"Star Wars: The Acolyte" creator Leslye Headland has done something that many thought might've been impossible: creating a "Star Wars" story that you can dive into without any preparation or knowledge of any other parts of the franchise's lore. You definitely do not need to know a lot of minutiae in order to gain enjoyment out of "The Acolyte" (watch the trailer here).
Having said that, there are deeper connections to the "Star Wars" lore that you don't need to know, but it certainly adds to the enjoyment of the show. One of the most significant details in that respect is the knowledge of the time period the series is capping off, along with the struggles of the Jedi and the galaxy itself over the previous couple of hundred years in the "Star Wars" universe. Allow this, then, to be your guide to the ins and outs of the High Republic era.
Having said that, there are deeper connections to the "Star Wars" lore that you don't need to know, but it certainly adds to the enjoyment of the show. One of the most significant details in that respect is the knowledge of the time period the series is capping off, along with the struggles of the Jedi and the galaxy itself over the previous couple of hundred years in the "Star Wars" universe. Allow this, then, to be your guide to the ins and outs of the High Republic era.
- 6/5/2024
- by Bryan Young
- Slash Film
When Lee Jung-jae’s previous show Squid Game became a global phenomenon, Star Wars: The Acolyte creator Leslye Headland was among the many viewers who helped make it Netflix’s most popular non-English speaking series. On top of that, she was also writing The Acolyte’s High Republic Jedi character of Master Sol at the same time as her binge, and that’s when it dawned on the Russian Doll creator that the South Korean actor would be a perfect fit for the honorable Jedi. Sol would then go on to serve as a central figure of Headland’s mystery-thriller series that takes place a century before Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999).
However, Lee — whom his collaborators affectionately refer to as “J.J.” — remains rather shocked that his Squid Game character, Seong Gi-hun, inspired Headland to write Sol with him in mind.
“I was actually quite surprised when Leslye [Headland] said...
However, Lee — whom his collaborators affectionately refer to as “J.J.” — remains rather shocked that his Squid Game character, Seong Gi-hun, inspired Headland to write Sol with him in mind.
“I was actually quite surprised when Leslye [Headland] said...
- 6/4/2024
- by Brian Davids
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
As the anticipation for The Acolyte reaches a fever pitch, new character profile posters have been released, highlighting the major players in the series. We’ve got a closer look at some of the key figures gracing our screens in this Star Wars prequel. A Closer Look at Leslye Headland Leslye Headland, the mastermind behind The Acolyte, dives deep into the lore of the Star Wars universe with her unique perspective. Best known for creating the Netflix hit Russian Doll, Headland has always had a passion for storytelling. Speaking to EW, she shared, I really wanted to tell a story about...
- 6/4/2024
- by Steve Delikson
- TVovermind.com
High Stakes on a Galactic Scale Leslye Headland is not just any director – she’s fulfilling what she describes as her ultimate career goal. As the show’s creator, Headland has a unique burden: I would be lying if I said I wasn’t scared, she admits. This confession underscores the enormity of expectations from both old-school fans and a new audience. The New Narrative Focus Headland’s upcoming series, The Acolyte, promises to introduce audiences to a different era in the Star Wars universe – the High Republic era. Leslye’s project comes with a bold vision to tell a fresh story while...
- 6/4/2024
- by Steve Delikson
- TVovermind.com
Recent years have seen all manner of Star Wars books and comics set in The High Republic Era released by Lucasfilm. If you have neither the time nor the inclination to devote countless hours to those, you may be concerned about how well you’ll grasp The Acolyte. Thankfully, the latest Star Wars TV series is arguably the most new viewer-friendly effort from the studio since The Mandalorian’s debut season. The result is a gripping new addition to the franchise which, based on the four episodes we’ve seen, will keep you hooked from start to finish.
Familiar yet different, The High Republic Era takes place at a time when the Jedi Order was at the height of its power with few significant threats to worry about. That changes with the appearance of an "acolyte" who has been tasked with killing four members of the Order at the behest...
Familiar yet different, The High Republic Era takes place at a time when the Jedi Order was at the height of its power with few significant threats to worry about. That changes with the appearance of an "acolyte" who has been tasked with killing four members of the Order at the behest...
- 6/4/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
Being a Star Wars fan is very interesting. I grew up through the era of the prequel trilogy and thought it was the most boring thing ever. Then I watched the original trilogy, and I thought it was the greatest thing ever. And even though I wasn’t nostalgic about the originals or the prequels, I enjoyed the legacy sequel trilogy for the most part. The franchise had a solid fanbase on the small screen with its animated projects, which didn’t really interest me. That said, the first season of The Mandalorian did do the trick. After the mercurial success of that show, Star Wars totally shifted to the small screen, and they started churning out stuff that ranged from mediocre to abysmally bad. Andor was like a diamond in the rough. And although it seemed like nothing in the franchise could be as good as that, especially in terms of its storytelling,...
- 6/4/2024
- by Pramit Chatterjee
- DMT
Stars: Amandla Stenberg, Lee Jung-jae, Manny Jacinto, Dafne Keen, Charlie Barnett, Jodie Turner-Smith, Carrie-Anne Moss | Created by Leslye Headland
Total number of episodes: 8 Episodes watched for review: 2
Created by Leslye Headland (the TV talent behind Russian Doll), The Acolyte is an eight part Star Wars TV series that marks a significant break from the spin-off material we’ve seen so far. For one thing, it’s set 100 years before the events of The Phantom Menace, meaning that slavish fan service can (hopefully) be kept to a minimum. And for another, the fact that the series is essentially positioned as a murder mystery shows a welcome attempt to play around with genre in the Star Wars universe, something that has arguably been a long time coming.
The show opens in style, with Carrie-Anne Moss’ Jedi Master Indara facing off against a would-be assassin who turns out to be equally proficient in the ways of the Force.
Total number of episodes: 8 Episodes watched for review: 2
Created by Leslye Headland (the TV talent behind Russian Doll), The Acolyte is an eight part Star Wars TV series that marks a significant break from the spin-off material we’ve seen so far. For one thing, it’s set 100 years before the events of The Phantom Menace, meaning that slavish fan service can (hopefully) be kept to a minimum. And for another, the fact that the series is essentially positioned as a murder mystery shows a welcome attempt to play around with genre in the Star Wars universe, something that has arguably been a long time coming.
The show opens in style, with Carrie-Anne Moss’ Jedi Master Indara facing off against a would-be assassin who turns out to be equally proficient in the ways of the Force.
- 6/4/2024
- by Matthew Turner
- Nerdly
Streaming on: Disney+
Episodes viewed: 4 of 8
A girl walks into a bar — stop us if you’ve heard this one. Picking her way through tables crowded with a menagerie of alien patrons, she squares up to a figure in Jedi robes. The resulting fracas is something you definitely won’t be familiar with — at least not from Star Wars. A whirlwind of wuxia-inspired fists and feet, the series prologue has the flavour of Hong Kong action cinema, but with a distinctly Star Wars twist — punches and parries augmented with Jedi abilities that block and throw with unseen power. It’s an arresting display of precision-choreographed Force-fu that unfolds (almost) without either party reaching for a lightsaber. As openers go, this seizes you by the throat like a Force choke — a clear statement of intent from showrunner Leslye Headland.
The Russian Doll creator reportedly pitched The Acolyte as “Frozen meets Kill Bill...
Episodes viewed: 4 of 8
A girl walks into a bar — stop us if you’ve heard this one. Picking her way through tables crowded with a menagerie of alien patrons, she squares up to a figure in Jedi robes. The resulting fracas is something you definitely won’t be familiar with — at least not from Star Wars. A whirlwind of wuxia-inspired fists and feet, the series prologue has the flavour of Hong Kong action cinema, but with a distinctly Star Wars twist — punches and parries augmented with Jedi abilities that block and throw with unseen power. It’s an arresting display of precision-choreographed Force-fu that unfolds (almost) without either party reaching for a lightsaber. As openers go, this seizes you by the throat like a Force choke — a clear statement of intent from showrunner Leslye Headland.
The Russian Doll creator reportedly pitched The Acolyte as “Frozen meets Kill Bill...
- 6/4/2024
- by James Dyer
- Empire - TV
Since Disney revived “Star Wars” in 2015 with J.J. Abrams’ “The Force Awakens,” the strongest entries in the franchise have had one trait in common. Rian Johnson’s “The Last Jedi” and Tony Gilroy’s “Andor” both opted to take the franchise in bold new directions, opening up exciting new possibilities for what a “Star Wars” story could be. “The Last Jedi” steered the core narrative away from the Skywalker family, implying that anyone could become a Jedi and, therefore, a hero. “Andor” used familiar settings as the backdrop for an adult political drama about rebellion and imperial administration, rejecting heroes entirely in favor of the individuals who make up mass movements. Fans may not always have seen them as such — “The Last Jedi” faced an infamous fan backlash, while “Andor” Season 1 paled in viewership to the likes of “The Mandalorian” — but these projects offered a lifeline to a saga...
- 6/4/2024
- by Alison Herman
- Variety Film + TV
Sometimes, the "Star Wars" universe can seem very small. The vast majority of television we've seen on Disney+ that takes place in a galaxy far, far away is intrinsically tied to the Skywalker Saga in one way or another. Even "Andor" ties directly into the Rebellion and the work of Princess Leia and the people of Alderaan, and it might be the one that feels most removed. The universe of "The Mandalorian" felt separate for a while, but Luke Skywalker's appearance in season two brought it right back into the world of the classic trilogy.
For most "Star Wars" fans — myself included — this small universe phenomenon where everything is connected is a feature, not a bug. That doesn't mean it's not still refreshing to see things completely divorced from the Skywalker Saga and gives us a new window into "Star Wars," and that's exactly what Leslye Headland's murder mystery series,...
For most "Star Wars" fans — myself included — this small universe phenomenon where everything is connected is a feature, not a bug. That doesn't mean it's not still refreshing to see things completely divorced from the Skywalker Saga and gives us a new window into "Star Wars," and that's exactly what Leslye Headland's murder mystery series,...
- 6/4/2024
- by Bryan Young
- Slash Film
Plot: 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….
Review: The reception for Disney-era Star Wars has been uneven, to say the least. While The Force Awakens broke box office records, The Last Jedi became the most divisive sequel of all time, and The Rise of Skywalker pooped the bed for most fans. Still, the anthology films Rogue One and Solo have dedicated fans, which is more than can be said for any of the Disney+ Star Wars series outside of The Mandalorian and Andor. Fans have been once again divided over Obi-Wan and Ahsoka, leading to a muted lead-up to the premiere of The Acolyte. Created by Russian Doll showrunner Leslye Headland, The Acolyte...
Review: The reception for Disney-era Star Wars has been uneven, to say the least. While The Force Awakens broke box office records, The Last Jedi became the most divisive sequel of all time, and The Rise of Skywalker pooped the bed for most fans. Still, the anthology films Rogue One and Solo have dedicated fans, which is more than can be said for any of the Disney+ Star Wars series outside of The Mandalorian and Andor. Fans have been once again divided over Obi-Wan and Ahsoka, leading to a muted lead-up to the premiere of The Acolyte. Created by Russian Doll showrunner Leslye Headland, The Acolyte...
- 6/4/2024
- by Alex Maidy
- JoBlo.com
It would certainly be unfair to say that all Star Wars stories have the same plot. Andor is not The Last Jedi and The Last Jedi is not The Phantom Menace, and each is more interesting for the new paths they cut across familiar territory. In broad strokes, though, a whole lot of them seem to come down to the same trusty formula: heroic Jedi freedom fighters versus dark-side imperialists, on and on across the galaxy for decades.
In that light, Disney+’s The Acolyte represents an intriguing shakeup. The spinoff, set roughly a century before the events of the films, finds the Jedi not as scrappy underdogs but as entrenched establishment. How precisely they’ve wielded that influence remains murky in the four 40ish-minute episodes sent to critics. But there are worse qualities for a new series to have than an overabundance of potential — and wherever this one ends up,...
In that light, Disney+’s The Acolyte represents an intriguing shakeup. The spinoff, set roughly a century before the events of the films, finds the Jedi not as scrappy underdogs but as entrenched establishment. How precisely they’ve wielded that influence remains murky in the four 40ish-minute episodes sent to critics. But there are worse qualities for a new series to have than an overabundance of potential — and wherever this one ends up,...
- 6/4/2024
- by Angie Han
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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The Jedi barely appear in the original Star Wars trilogy. Obi-Wan and Yoda are both hermits hiding from their own failures in distant corners of the galaxy, and both die after teaching Luke Skywalker a bit about the Force. Luke himself never technically completes his training, though he gets close enough to be considered a Jedi master in later films. So the Jedi exist more as a exciting symbol in those early films,...
The Jedi barely appear in the original Star Wars trilogy. Obi-Wan and Yoda are both hermits hiding from their own failures in distant corners of the galaxy, and both die after teaching Luke Skywalker a bit about the Force. Luke himself never technically completes his training, though he gets close enough to be considered a Jedi master in later films. So the Jedi exist more as a exciting symbol in those early films,...
- 6/4/2024
- by Alan Sepinwall
- Rollingstone.com
For the most part, everything in The Acolyte is brand new. It’s set before any other Star Wars story on screen, with all-new characters and worlds to explore. But, there’s one exception: Vernestra Rwoh. The one character from the High Republic novels to make the leap to live action, she’s been a fan favourite on the page for years now – and she gets a major evolution in The Acolyte.
In the High Republic books Vernestra is a prodigious 16-year-old Jedi Knight who graduated from Padawan status after passing the trials at the mere age of 15. But by the time of The Acolyte, 100 years have elapsed and she’s experienced a lot in the meantime. Empire sat down with Rebecca Henderson, who brings Vernestra to life – and who, as wife of series creator Leslye Headland, had first-hand experience of seeing The Acolyte willed into being.
Empire: You must...
In the High Republic books Vernestra is a prodigious 16-year-old Jedi Knight who graduated from Padawan status after passing the trials at the mere age of 15. But by the time of The Acolyte, 100 years have elapsed and she’s experienced a lot in the meantime. Empire sat down with Rebecca Henderson, who brings Vernestra to life – and who, as wife of series creator Leslye Headland, had first-hand experience of seeing The Acolyte willed into being.
Empire: You must...
- 6/4/2024
- by Ben Travis
- Empire - TV
Where Is Yoda in The Acolyte? Showrunner Explains Iconic Character's Absence - Main Image
Where is Yoda in The Acolyte? This is one of the questions that Star Wars fans have been wondering leading up to its release this week.
The series is set to be the first Star Wars live-action project that takes place in the High Republic era, a timeline that has never been explored aside from the comics and novels.
Considering that Yoda lived for hundreds of years before his death during the original trilogy, some fans are speculating whether he could show up in The Acolyte and explore where his life at during the High Republic era.
The Acolyte Showrunner Explains Why Yoda is Not in the Series
In an interview, The Acolyte showrunner Leslye Headland confirmed that Yoda won't be making an appearance in the series.
She explained that the fan-favorite character's absence is due...
Where is Yoda in The Acolyte? This is one of the questions that Star Wars fans have been wondering leading up to its release this week.
The series is set to be the first Star Wars live-action project that takes place in the High Republic era, a timeline that has never been explored aside from the comics and novels.
Considering that Yoda lived for hundreds of years before his death during the original trilogy, some fans are speculating whether he could show up in The Acolyte and explore where his life at during the High Republic era.
The Acolyte Showrunner Explains Why Yoda is Not in the Series
In an interview, The Acolyte showrunner Leslye Headland confirmed that Yoda won't be making an appearance in the series.
She explained that the fan-favorite character's absence is due...
- 6/4/2024
- EpicStream
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