Excitement is building for The Acolyte, the next live-action Star Wars Disney+ TV show, and Amandla Stenberg has promised a High Republic setting unlike any viewers have seen before. Created by Leslye Headland (of Russian Doll fame), The Acolyte is essentially the prequel to Star Wars‘ prequel trilogy. It is set decades before the events of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, at the tail end of the High Republic Era – the golden age of the Jedi and the Republic.
Speaking to C Magazine, Amandla Stenberg – a key member of The Acolyte‘s cast, who will play the titular Jedi Padawan – has teased more about the High Republic setting.
“In the context of the
Star Wars
universe,
it’s a time of great peace
, theoretically. It’s also a time of an institution, and
it’s a time in which conceptions around the Force are very strict
. And I think what we’re trying to explore within our show is when an institution has a singular conception of how power can be used…we try to provide a lot of different perspectives and answers to that question. The idea is to kind of honor the ethos of
Star Wars
and ideas around the Force and also challenge them, hopefully harmoniously.”
Stenberg is unable to say much, of course, joking about Lucasfilm monitoring her every word carefully. But the little she’s said is exciting – not least because it teases a subtle difference between the end of the High Republic Era, and the time currently being explored in Star Wars novels and comics. This may well hint at the reason for the Jedi Order’s downfall.
How To Watch Star Wars Movies In Order
Here is how to watch all Star Wars movies and TV shows chronologically and in order of release, and how each fits into the Star Wars timeline.
The Acolyte Is The End Of The Jedi Golden Age
The High Republic Era began roughly 500 years before Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, and it ended just a century or so before the prequels. It was a time when the light of the Jedi shone ever brighter; although the order was opposed, by space pirates such as the Nihil and monstrous creatures they allied with, the Jedi would always successfully banish the darkness. Unfortunately, Stenberg’s comment suggests the Jedi Order itself had lost its way by the end of the High Republic Era.
Lucasfilm has published a wealth of novels, comics, and audiobooks set during the High Republic Era. These have revealed the Order at its best, with every Jedi free to explore the Force in a relatively individualistic manner. In contrast, Stenberg refers to a time “in which conceptions around the Force are very strict.” The Jedi Code has become restrictive and unflexible, and no doubt many chafe under these restrictions. This may well provide the Sith with an opening, given Lucasfilm has teased the show as being about the Sith “infiltration” of the Jedi.
Recent reports have suggested The Acolyte will release in June 2024. Assuming these are correct, it surely won’t be long before Lucasfilm begin official promotion – likely alongside the upcoming theatrical re-release of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. Until now, Stenberg’s comments serve to add to the building excitement.
