Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
The Acolyteis an upcoming series created by Leslye Headland, which will take place during the High Republic era of theStar Warsuniverse. Ripe with fresh storytelling opportunities the series marks the first live-action depiction of the era which will take viewers roughly a hundred years before the events ofThe Phantom Menace.
During a recent interview, Headland spoke about the show’s setting and revealed the reason she decided to make the series a prequel toThe Phantom Menace. Headland had a surprisingly simple answer when she was asked about the show taking place during the High Republic era as the showrunner explained why the period was perfect for the story she wanted to tell.
The AcolyteCreator Leslye Headland Reveals Why theStar WarsShow Is Set BeforeThe Phantom Menace
The AcolytestarringAmandla Stenbergand Lee Jung-jae will take place during the High Republic era. The series is set roughly a hundred years beforeThe Phantom Menacedirected by George Lucas. Ahead of the show’s premiere early next month, creator and showrunner Leslye Headland sat down for a conversation withComicBook.com.
During the interview, Headland was asked whether it was her or Lucasfilm who decided to set the series during the High Republic era. Headland revealed that it was a bit of both as the periodinStar Warshistorywas ideal for the story she wanted to explore.
It was the rise of the Sith. I mean how did the rule of two continue through all of this time until Sidious and Maul reveal themselves in The Phantom Menace.
Headland made the above statement explaining what excited her the most about telling a story set in theStar Warsuniverse. Given that the series takes place a hundred years before the events ofThe Phantom Menace, the time period is perfect for Headland’s exploration of the Sith Order and its rule of two.
“Carrie-Anne Moss with a lightsaber doing Force-Fu is PERFECTION”: Star Wars Fans Have Nothing to Complain About After Watching the Sinister Plot of The Acolyte
Headland added that towards the end of the High Republic era, the Jedi were in an extremely comfortable position and did not anticipate any threat coming at them. The same idea plays out duringThe Phantom Menace, which eventually leads to the downfall of the Jedi. As a result, a series exploring the rise of the Sith naturally needed to be set before the prequels era.
Leslye Headland Rules Out One PopularStar WarsCharacter Appearing inThe Acolyte
During the same interview, Headland was also asked about the possibility of popular characters from theStar Warsfranchise appearing in the series, who were known to be alive near the end of the High Republic era.
Headland was directly questioned about the chances of aMaster Yodaappearance, who is canonically known to be roughly 764 years old during the show’s timeline. However, for fans hoping for a quick Master Yoda cameo in the series, Headland had some disappointing news.
Can you imagine if they were like no problem you can use Yoda. Not a big deal. Go for it. No there is not.
Headland made the above statement ruling out the possibility of a Yoda appearance in the series, implying that an appearance from the iconic Jedi Master would have been hard to get approved from the Lucasfilm top brass.
“Now I need to know why Chewbacca doesn’t wear clothes”: Star Wars: The Acolyte Brings Back Iconic Wookie Jedi But Fans Have 1 Burning Question
Nonetheless, Headland reassured fans that the series will draw plenty of cool characters from existingStar Warslore. Headland revealed that familiar faces from the franchise’sExpanded Universemedia and theHigh Republicmultimedia project will appear in the series. Therefore, fans need to keep their eyes peeled for those cameos.
The Acolytewill debut with two episodes on June 17, 2025, on Disney+, with the rest released weekly.
Pratik Handore
Content Writer
Articles Published :1773
With a keen interest in comic book movies and blockbuster franchises, Pratik usually covers news and updates on the DCU, MCU, Star Wars, and more.A die-hard fan of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, Pratik spends most of his time exploring different storytelling mediums that invoke a sense of wonder and adventure. Other filmmakers whose works have deeply influenced him include Alfred Hitchcock, James Gunn, and Guillermo del Toro.
