The upcoming series The Acolyte will finally premiere this summer. It marks the first Star Wars series set in the High Republic era and takes place around 100 years before The Phantom Menace.
There has been a lot of anticipation for the series since it will explore an area and mythology that has never been explored before in any of the live-action Star Wars projects.
Let's explore the release date and everything you need to know about The Acolyte below.
When Is The Acolyte Coming Out?
In March 2024, the official Star Wars social media accounts revealed that The Acolyte will premiere on June 4 with two episodes.
The announcement coincided with the release of the show's teaser poster, which you can check out here:
Before the release date announcement, Lucasfilm and Disney+ were circling a 2024 release window for the series before they settled on a summer release date.
In an interview last March, showrunner Leslye Headland revealed that post-production for The Acolyte was mostly finished.
Fans were also able to get an exclusive sneak peek at the series during the special 25th-anniversary screening of The Phantom Menace.
Which Actors Are in The Acolyte?
The Acolyte spawned a large ensemble cast consisting of award-winning veteran actors, rising stars, and familiar actors from popular films and TV shows.
When production commenced in late 2022, the social media accounts of Star Wars officially unveiled the main cast members of The Acolyte.
Leading the ensemble is Bodies Bodies Bodies star Amandla Stenberg.
She plays the role of Mae, described as a former padawan-turned-warrior "who gets swept up into a sinister mystery—one that puts her into the center of a conflict in unexpected ways."
Joining her are Lee Jung-Jae (Squid Game) as Jedi Master Sol, Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix) as Indara, Dean-Charles Chapman (1917) in an undisclosed role, Manny Jacinto (The Good Place) as Qimir, Dafne Keen (Logan) as Jecki Lon, Jodie Turner-Smith (Queen & Slim) as Mother Aniseya, and Charlie Barnett (Russian Doll) as Yord Fandar.
Fans can also expect an appearance from The High Republic fan-favorite character Vernestra Rwoh, played by Rebecca Henderson (Single White Female).
Joonas Suotamo, who played Chewbacca in the sequel trilogy, is also involved in The Acolyte in a different role. He will be playing a Wookie Jedi named Kalnacca.
Recently, it was reported that Supergirl star David Harewood will also make an appearance in the series. The details regarding his role are being kept under wraps, but it is expected to be a small part.
Who Are the Creative Minds Behind The Acolyte?
Leslye Headland serves as the showrunner of The Acolyte. She also executive produces alongside Kathleen Kennedy, Simon Emanuel, Jason Micallef, and Jeff F. King.
She is known for her Emmy-nominated work in the hit Netflix series Russian Doll and directed films such as Bachelorette and Sleeping with Other People. She is attached to helm the film adaptation of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.
In November 2023, the writing team for The Acolyte was unveiled with Headland leading the group.
She was joined by Charmaine DeGrate (House of the Dragon), Jason Micallef (Heathers), Eileen Shim (House of the Dragon), Jasmyne Flournoy (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier), Kor Adana (Dune: Prophecy), Claire Kiechel (Watchmen), Cameron Squires (WandaVision), Jocelyn Bioh (Russian Doll), and Jen Richards (Blindspotting) in penning the scripts.
The series' directors consist of Headland (who directed episodes 1 and 2), Kogonada (episodes 3 and 7), Alex Garcia Lopez (episodes 4 and 5), and Hanelle Culpepper (episodes 6 and 8).
What Is the Plot of The Acolyte?
Here is the premise of The Acolyte according to the official Star Wars website:
An investigation into a shocking crime spree pits a respected Jedi Master against a dangerous warrior from his past. As more clues emerge, they travel down a dark path where sinister forces reveal all is not what it seems…
As previously stated, the series will take place around 100 years before the events of The Phantom Menace.
In an interview, Headland revealed that The Acolyte will also give a significant focus on the Sith during the High Republic era where they are still lurking in the shadows.
"I really wanted to tell a story about the Sith. That was kind of my dream Star Wars idea. But it felt like the time period to do that in would be something pre-Phantom Menace," she explained.
"That seemed to be the most interesting trajectory for the Sith: How did the Sith go from the Rule of Two and being quote-unquote ‘extinct’ to Palpatine coming into power without the Jedi knowing about it?"
She added, "If the Jedi are this benevolent institution at this point, then anyone who opposes them would be the underdog."
Despite the epic scope of the story, the relationship between Mae (Stenberg) and Sol (Lee) will still be the focal point of the series.
"I think with Star Wars, it always starts with some sort of underdog versus the institutional threat, or it’s a fraught familial issue that needs to be resolved. I think both of those appear in this show — just in ways that are turned on their head," Headland teased.
READ MORE: Star Wars: The Acolyte Actor Amandla Stenberg Admits Being 'Lucky' to Join the Project
Where Can You Watch The Acolyte?
The Acolyte will be streaming on Disney+, the home of all Star Wars content since the service's launch in 2019.
So far, there are no details yet on whether the series will also be available on other networks/platforms outside Disney+ or if it will get a home video release.
Are you excited for the release of The Acolyte? Let us know in the comments. Make sure you follow our Star Wars Facebook Page for the latest Star Wars news and trends!
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