The Acolyte creator talks pitching The High Republic – and the biggest challenge behind the new Star Wars era
Jun. 4, 2024The Acolyte’s Leslye Headland on the “fresh entry point” provided by The High Republic
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
The Acolytecreator Leslye Headland has spoken about setting her new Star Wars show in an era previously untouched in live-action – The High Republic.
“When I first pitched the project, I suggested that it take place beforeThe Phantom Menace,” Headland tells GamesRadar+ of the decision to go back in time for theDisneyPlus series. “Because we were telling a totally original story, meaning it wasn’t connected to the Skywalker saga or the Empire, Resistance, and Rebellion.”
On The High Republic – a golden age of Jedi peacemaking that lasted between 500 and 100 years before the prequel trilogy – Headland added that it also operated as a useful jumping-on point for those who aren’t necessarily dyed-in-the-wool Star Wars fans.
“I think to draw audiences in and create a fresh entry point – meaning youdon’tneed to know a lot about Star Wars in order to watch the show – it felt natural to move back in time and set the story there,” Headland explains.
A new era, though, comes with its own fresh challenges. A step away from the Skywalkers and Sith of it all poses an obvious roadblock. When pressed on the biggest limitations of placing The Acolyte in a new setting, Headland felt the lack of familiarity was an issue – but one she was willing to embrace.
“We don’t have that immediate iconography of stormtroopers, for example. When you see a stormtrooper, you know you’re in Star Wars… We had some things we got to not fall back on, but utilize. It was harder but, in a way, it was freeing and easier,” Headland says.
She continues, “When audiences watch it, there will still be that wish fulfilment of seeing the Jedi in action and that’s what we get to do.”
Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter
Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox
It’s the Jedi, for so long on the run or in hiding for the bulk of Star Wars’ on-screen history, that were able to flourish in The Acolyte.
“I think in other Star Wars media, the Jedi are either the underdogs or, in some of the Disney Plus shows, you don’t see them at all,” Headland notes. “You get to see a lot of Jedi fighting adversaries [in The Acolyte] but, unlike the prequels, they’re at their height; they don’t expect any sort of conflict. It’s all these little bits that were more freeing and then also inhibiting. It was about picking and choosing [those elements].”
The Acolyte is streaming exclusively on Disney Plus from June 4 in the US and June 5 in the UK.
For more, check outThe Acolyte release scheduleandour interview with Squid Game’s Lee Jung-jae, who plays Jedi Master Sol. Plus, there’s all the latest news onupcoming Star Wars movies and shows.
I’m the Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you’ll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.
New Severance season 2 trailer has fans wondering who mysterious character Mr. Drummond could be
New Doctor Who Christmas special trailer teases an emotional cameo from Ruby Sunday following her departure from the TARDIS
Get hundreds of hours of RPG goodness for $30 with this bundle of 8 games that includes the first two Baldur’s Gate games, which are absolutely worth playing
