Leslye Headland, the showrunner for The Acolyte, recently confirmed that the new unnamed planet introduced in the Star Wars show was not Ahch-To. The Acolyte has introduced several new planets, but its newest bore quite a few similarities to Ahch-To, the site of the first Jedi temple, which was introduced in the Star Wars sequel trilogy and heavily featured in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. The Acolyte episode 6 intensified its similarities to the sequel trilogy, and specifically The Last Jedi, in several ways. It drew parallels between Osha Aniseya and Rey Skywalker, and between Qimir and Kylo Ren, but its biggest connection was just debunked.
While speaking with Collider, Headland explained that despite the similarities to Ahch-To, the Stranger chose a different planet to house his base.
It’s not Ahch-To. I know it’s similar, and it was intentionally supposed to be similar in terms of terrain and feeling isolated and surrounded by water and less lush green and more rocky. But the idea is that cortosis is mined on this planet, so I don’t think that’s the case with Ahch-To. Part of the reason this is his home base is that cortosis is a very rare metal. I don’t think we say it explicitly in the show, but that’s a reason it’s not Ahch-To.
Though The Acolyte‘s new planet isn’t Ahch-To, it is notable that Headland mentioned the similarities were intentional. Since Ahch-To was the birthplace of the Jedi Order, it’s possible that The Acolyte is suggesting this unknown planet was the birthplace of the Sith. That would fit with The Acolyte‘s focus on duality and the idea that the Sith were a mirror image of the Jedi. While the similarities are evident and interesting, they don’t actually identify what planet Qimir and Osha were on. Luckily, the now non-canon Star Wars Legends may have the answer.
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Star Wars: The Acolyte Episode Guide – Cast Members, Biggest Takeaways & Easter Eggs
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Could This Planet Be Bal’demnic From Star Wars Legends?
Leslye Headland has drawn on Star Wars Legends at several points over the course of The Acolyte. Various parts of the show, from the Tynnan Bazil to cortosis ore, originated in the Expanded Universe. Her love of Legends means it’s possible Headland drew even more inspiration, and possibly even an entire planet. If she did, the unknown planet in The Acolyte episode 6 could be Bal’demnic, a planet that had the same rocky geography and large oceans as Ahch-To. Bal’demnic fits the visual description of The Acolyte‘s unknown planet, but there are two key factors below the surface that make it a likely candidate.
Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi
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In the second installment of the Star Wars sequel trilogy, General Leia Organa leads the Resistance forces against the First Order. Meanwhile, Luke Skywalker struggles to come to terms with his past failures, while Rey urges him to train her in the Force and join the resistance. Culminating in a massive battle between the two armies, The Last Jedi raises the stakes of this intergalactic war, and sees the final fight of one beloved character.
- Director
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Rian Johnson
- Release Date
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December 15, 2017
- Cast
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Daisy Ridley
, Oscar Isaac
, Mark Hamill
, Carrie Fisher
, John Boyega
, Adam Driver
, Andy Serkis
, Lupita Nyong’o
, Anthony Daniels
, Gwendoline Christie
, Kelly Marie Tran
, Laura Dern - Runtime
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152 Minutes
- Budget
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$317 million
In Legends, Bal’demnic was a major exporter of cortosis ore, the same material that the Stranger used to short out the Jedi’s lightsabers with his helmet and gauntlet. The Acolyte showed that the unknown planet had a vein of cortosis in the cave Qimir used as his base, which is a major hint that he was on Bal’demnic. Additionally, Bal’demnic rose to galactic prominence after Darth Tenebrous and Darth Plagueis learned of its cortosis deposits. That may be a hint that The Acolyte just introduced Bal’demnic to canon, as it would give the show a way to introduce another Sith Lord, potentially even Qimir’s master.
It looks increasingly like The Acolyte has just introduced Bal’demnic to Star Wars canon, especially now that Ahch-To can be definitively ruled out. If the unknown planet does prove to be Bal’demnic, it would be yet another example of Leslye Headland’s talent for using the history of the franchise to fuel its future. Headland has an exceptional ability to dive into the deepest corners of Star Wars lore, find something interesting, and introduce it to a new generation of fans. Star Wars Legends may no longer be canon, but thanks to Leslye Headland and The Acolyte, it’s more important than ever.
New episodes of The Acolyte premiere on Tuesday nights on Disney+.
Source: Collider
The Acolyte
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The Acolyte is a television series set in the Star Wars universe at the end of the High Republic Era, where both the Jedi and the Galactic Empire were at the height of their influence. This sci-fi thriller sees a former Padawan reunite with her former Jedi Master as they investigate several crimes – all leading to darkness erupting from beneath the surface and preparing to bring about the end of the High Republic.
- Cast
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Amandla Stenberg
, Lee Jung-jae
, Joonas Suotamo
, Charlie Barnett
, Dafne Keen
, Leah Brady
, Manny Jacinto
, Rebecca Henderson
, Carrie-Anne Moss
, Jodie Turner-Smith
, Dean-Charles Chapman
, Lauren Brady
, Anthony J. Abraham
, Thara Shöön
, Danielle Xin Yao Waterman
, Sienna Khiroya
, Jeramiah Evans
, Dan Milne
, Thomas Coombes
, Archie Singh Swali
, Nick Court
, Ed Kear
, Jumayn Hunter
, Scroobius Pip
, Abigail Thorn
, Margarita Levieva
, Amy Tsang
, Saskia Allen
, Deborah Rosan
, Tabitha Alege
, Paul Bullion
, Indra Ové
, Derek Arnold
, Lewis Young - Character(s)
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Mae
, Master Sol
, Kelnacca
, Yord Fandar
, Jecki Lon
, Little Mae
, Qimir
, Master Vernestra Rwoh
, Master Indara
, Mother Aniseya
, Master Torbin
, Padawan Torbin
, Little Osha
, Fillik
, Tasi Lowa
, Youngling
, Restrained Convict
, Convict
, Olega Urchin
, Olega Master
, Olega Padawan
, Scavenger
, Ensign Eurus
, Mother Koril
, Ensign Rane
, Scout Sarria
, Ensign Shima
, Elder Jaalyn
, Master Lakshay
, Master Holden
, Master Ki-Adi-Mundi
, Jedi Knight - Showrunner
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Leslye Headland
