The upcoming Star Wars series The Acolyte is ready to shake things up by steering clear of the usual cameos and interwoven storylines that have become a staple in the Star Wars universe. Showrunner Leslye Headland has confirmed that The Acolyte will chart its own course, free from ties to other Star Wars films and TV shows, despite sharing the same galaxy.
Speaking with Comic Book, Headland emphasised the independence of her show, contrasting it with series like Ahsoka, which premiered in 2023 and seamlessly blended story arcs from numerous other series. Set during the High Republic era, an era only previously explored in books and comics and occurring around 100 years before The Phantom Menace, The Acolyte will introduce fresh faces and new tales.
When questioned about potential major cameos like Yoda, who was alive during this time, Headland humorously dismissed the idea. “Can you imagine? Can you imagine if they were like, ‘no problem, you can use Yoda. Not a big deal.’,” she laughed. “No, there is not. We are pulling characters from The High Republic and characters from Extended Universe, but that’s it.”
The Extended Universe, or Expanded Universe, refers to the vast Star Wars lore that Disney set aside after acquiring the franchise, though some elements, such as fan-favourite character General Admiral Thrawn, have trickled back into the canon through various mediums. As for High Republic characters, The Acolyte will only feature a select few, given its setting decades after the main saga of the High Republic books.
Star Wars fans can look forward to the premiere of the first two episodes on Disney+ on 4 June, promising a fresh, standalone adventure in a beloved galaxy far, far away.
Edwin is a seasoned raconteur with a lifelong passion for video games, comic books, movies, and more. He thrives on captivating stories and immersive world-building, with a soft spot for adorable monsters.
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