The much-anticipated Star Wars series, “The Acolyte,” starts with an electrifying introduction and the calm composure of Jedi Master Indara, portrayed by Carrie-Anne Moss. Leslye Headland, the mastermind behind this latest addition to the Star Wars universe, set 100 years before the Skywalker saga, was profoundly inspired by Moss’s iconic performance in The Matrix series. Headland famously described the character of Indara as “Trinity with a lightsaber.”
“Carrie-Anne Moss felt like an essential part of establishing, first of all, the tone of the show, and also to pull you into the universe that we were creating,” Leslye explained during a video call from Los Angeles. She emphasized, “Without her power and skill, I’m not sure we would have been able to achieve the magnetic energy of starting the show, of getting the ball rolling.”
“The Acolyte” delves into a riveting investigation of the murder of Jedi masters. The series boasts an impressive lineup, including Manny Jacinto as a retired smuggler enjoying a serene life, Dafne Keen as an eager young padawan, and both Jodie Turner-Smith and Rebecca Henderson portraying Jedi masters with unique abilities. “I was fortunate because the cast was comprised of all my first choices. I didn’t have any other actors in mind, so I’m grateful they agreed to participate,” Leslye added.
When illustrating her vision for the series to Lucasfilm, the Russian Doll co-creator described “The Acolyte” as “Frozen meets Kill Bill.” “The Kill Bill inspiration obviously comes from a lot of martial arts films, including Shaw Brothers and Kurosawa,” she mentioned. Leslye also drew inspiration from Ang Lee’s 2000 martial arts drama, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
“It was an inspiration not just for the fighting scenes, but also for its sweeping epic-ness, which felt worth emulating. Kill Bill gives you a sense of the genre you are watching, while Frozen reflects the complex relationship between the two leading female characters,” she stated.
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Headland’s deep-seated passion for Star Wars is palpable. “I can’t intellectually articulate exactly why I’m a Star Wars fan. It’s almost like Star Wars has been intrinsically linked to my life since I was a child,” she reminisced. “Each stage of my life, from childhood to adulthood, had a version of Star Wars to cherish—from the original trilogy, the Special Editions, to the prequels, every new piece of Star Wars media brought something new to love.”
In the show’s promotional images, characters like Yord Fandar (Charlie Barnett), Jedi Padawan Jecki Lon (Dafne Keen), and Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae) can be seen engrossed in what promises to be detailed and captivating storytelling.
With the narrative revolving around various Jedi masters, both public and secret, and their padawans, the show’s title, “The Acolyte,” was carefully chosen. “There are two reasons behind the title. One of them is a spoiler, so I can’t delve into it,” Leslye said with a laugh. She added, “I felt giving the show a provocative name that identifies a role or position would spark curiosity. It would make the audience ponder, which one of these characters is the acolyte? It would add to the mystery and, hopefully, engage people to return for more revelations.”
The highly-anticipated first two episodes of “The Acolyte” will be available on Disney+ Hotstar starting June 5, with subsequent episodes released weekly until the season finale on July 17.
As the launch date approaches, the anticipation is building among Star Wars fans and critics alike. The series promises to deliver a blend of thrilling martial arts action, intricate character relationships, and the mysterious allure that has always been a hallmark of the Star Wars franchise. With a powerhouse like Carrie-Anne Moss leading the charge and Leslye Headland’s creative vision, “The Acolyte” is poised to become a landmark in the Star Wars universe and a must-watch for fans around the globe.
