After the critical and commercial success ofThe Mandalorian, Disney has gotten busy with creating a slew of live-action series based onStar Wars. Now, showrunner Leslye Headland has finally shared new information aboutThe Acolyte,an original series taking place before the events ofThe Phantom Menace.
Star Wars: The Acolyteshowrunner Headland has a decade’s worth of experience in filmmaking. She began by directing small feature films likeBacheloretteandSleeping With Other Peoplebefore branching out into directing episodes of television series such as the 2018 version ofHeathersand, most famously,Netflix’s time-loop seriesRussian Doll. Furthermore, the actress reportedly leadingThe AcolyteisThe Hate U Giveactress Amandla Stenberg, who will also appear in A24’s slasher horror film,Bodies, Bodies, Bodies, which releases this August.
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Headland took to Vanity Fair to discuss new information aboutThe Acolyte, a story about the early struggles between Sith and Jedi, stating that she wants to explore what events took place that allowed aSith lord like Palpatineto infiltrate the Senate. Headland describes the pre-Phantom Menacesetting as a “prosperous and seemingly peaceful era, where the galaxy is still sleek and glistening,” giving it terms like the “Renaissance” and the “Age of Enlightenment.” She also describes the Jedi as wearing gold and white uniforms that rarely get dirty, as, during the era of the series, the Jedi rarely engage in battles.
Headland’s new information aboutThe Acolytefollows the recent unveiling of news regarding otherStar Warsprojects.Obi-Wan Kenobihas received more advertising ahead of its premiere on May 27th, 2022, while it has also been announced thatSpider-Man: No Way Homedirector Jon Wattsis creating aStar Warsseries for Disney Plus, which is codenamedGrammar Rodeoand set afterReturn of the Jedi.Thor: Love and Thunderdirector Taika Waititi and Marvel Studios producer Kevin Fiege are also reportedly working onStar Warsmovies at this time.
TheStar Warsfranchiseoffers boundless opportunities for filmmakers and storytellers to explore the timeline and world of its story. Headland is a talented director, writer, and producer who, after two Emmy nominations for her work onRussian Doll, is surely a big catch for Disney Plus. With an original and daring premise even by the high standard ofStar Wars,The Acolytelooks worth keeping an eye on.
