The first trailer for The Acolyte generated a significant buzz, making it the most-watched trailer for any Star Wars series debut on Disney+. However, it has also faced considerable backlash online. The series introduces new characters set in the High Republic era, with eight episodes averaging about 30 minutes each.
The Acolyte
Star Wars series that take viewers into a galaxy of shadowy secrets and emerging dark-side powers in the final days of the High Republic era.
The 90-second trailer for Leslye Headland’s project reached a record 51.3 million views within the first 24 hours of its digital release. Despite celebrating this milestone, Lucasfilm also faced a significant amount of negative comments and backlash online.
Set a century before Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, The Acolyte explores the growing threats of the Sith and follows a respected Jedi Master, portrayed by Lee Jung-jae, who investigates a series of Jedi murders. This investigation leads him into conflict with his former Padawan, revealing dark-side powers.
The Acolyte is a First Look at the High Republic Era
While the High Republic era has been explored in other formats, The Acolyte brings it to Disney+ for the first time. Creator Leslye Headland has indicated that most characters will be new to audiences, aside from Vernestra Rwoh from the High Republic novels. Headland explained her focus on character development and saving some key characters for future seasons.
“I’m gonna be straight with you. They do not. Part of that is because I wanted to save some people for Season 2. I really focused on Vern. Vern was a character that really jumped out at me immediately as someone that I wanted to see as an arc for where we were with the Jedi when we come into this story. A character that started out as a prodigy, someone powerfully connected to the Force, almost in love with the Force, but also sassy enough to make her lightsaber into a whip. Someone [with] that experimentation, that energy, and then to see who she is in our show, and see what happens over the course of becoming a more and more powerful Jedi, and going from mission after mission, to council meetings, and protocol, and “how do we keep this institution going, how do we check it, how do we negotiate the level of power that we have.” She’s massively respected, and considered to be one of the most powerful Jedi at this particular time period.”
The series will premiere its first two episodes on June 4 on Disney+. The average runtime for each episode is around 30 minutes. As a unique addition to the Star Wars universe, its reception will be closely watched to gauge future directions for Lucasfilm.
Wrapping Up
The Acolyte premieres on June 4, 2024, joining other Star Wars content available on Disney+. Stay updated with the latest news by visiting HitPlay.
