The Acolyte Is Attempting to Flip Star Wars on Its Head

The cast of The Acolyte at Star Wars Celebration London: Lee Jung-Jae, Charlie Barnett, Rebecca Henderson, Dafne Keen, Amandla Stenberg, Leslye Headland, Manny Jacinto, Dean-Charles Chapman, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Joonas Suotamo.

You feel like for something to be “Star Wars,” there are only two prerequisites. One, set it in the stars. Two, there should be wars. But the upcoming Disney+ show The Acolyte is only embracing one of those staples. It’s very much set in a galaxy far, far, away but, for the first time, it’ll be set in a time of star peace.

The show, which is expected to hit Disney+ in 2024, was created by Leslye Headland and is set near the end of the High Republic era in Star Wars. So, well before the prequels. But even at the start of the prequels, things were relatively peaceful. The Jedi were in power and all was right with the galaxy. That’s where The Acolyte begins.

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“I think that what makes this show different and interesting is that it’s from the perspective of the villains of Star Wars,” Headland added. “These are people who are using the Force in their own way, dipping into the darker sides of the Force and are doing it without being sanctioned by the larger institution, which, in this case, is the Jedi.”

Now, who exactly are these characters? What will their story add to the overall understanding of Star Wars? We don’t know. But, hopefully, we’ll find out next year. For more from Headland as well as The Acolyte co-stars Amandla Stenberg and Lee Jung-jae, head over to EW.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

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