The Acolyte is set to take Star Wars fans into an unexplored era: the High Republic. This new series promises to delve into the Dark Side, exploring sinister crimes and ancient enemies. In a recent interview, series creator Leslye Headland noted her approach to catering to both hardcore fans and newcomers, stating, I don’t want myself, who’s a lifelong fan, to just be relying on particular references in order to create emotional beats…
To flesh out this darker narrative, she drew inspiration from the non-canon game Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords and the character Darth Traya.
Darth Traya’s Influence on The Acolyte
In Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords, Darth Traya plays a significant role as both mentor and antagonist. She initially masks herself as Kreia, assisting the protagonist before revealing her true nature. Notably, as a former Jedi turned Sith, Traya trained many Dark Lords, including Revan, whose connections have broader implications in the Star Wars universe.
Challenging Perspectives through Mae
The character Mae, played by Amandla Stenberg, brings fresh perspectives to the Force in The Acolyte. Stenberg remarked in an interview how expansive Force usage could be for their character: The way people use the Force is very expansive…
This aligns with Headland’s view that Star Wars should not just reflect traditional Jedi beliefs.
A Fresh Take on Jedi and Sith Dynamics
The Acolyte explores themes of betrayal and philosophical battles over the Force’s control. Darth Traya believed neither the Jedi nor Sith deserved victory since she viewed the Force itself as an enslaving power. This concept will likely influence the series’ narrative direction, especially through characters like Mae who do not fit neatly into conventional Force-using roles.
Lee Jung-jae’s Entry as Master Sol
Korean actor Lee Jung-jae stars as Master Sol, marking his debut in the expansive Star Wars franchise. Despite being most recognized for his role in Squid Game, Lee’s portrayal of Master Sol promises depth, as he navigates both language barriers and intergalactic conflicts. Lee shared his astonishment during promotion about joining such an iconic franchise: I think even now… it’s still very hard for me to believe…
A Peek into Revan’s Legacy
Fans should also watch for potentially subtle nods to other classic characters like Revan. Revan’s journey from hero to Sith Lord has been enshrined in lore through novels like The Old Republic: Revan, and these complex backstories can enrich viewers’ understanding of shifting allegiances in The Acolyte.
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