Star Wars: The Acolyte teases the origin of the Sith, and asks who deserves to use the Force
"This is about power," the first trailer for the new series from Russian Doll creator Leslye Headland announces, "and who can use it"
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The stories of Star Wars are frequently told from the point-of-view of the heroes (and often-times the Jedi), but the flagship Star Wars project of 2024 is turning to tell it from the villains' side of things.
Star Wars: The Acolyte, set to debut June 4 on Disney+, centers on a series of crimes committed 100 years before The Phantom Menace and reveals where and how the Sith infiltrated the Jedi - and most importantly, who.
Here, is the trailer:
Unusually for a Star Wars project, it's a story that teases a push away from the traditional morality of Jedi users, with one character pointing out that it's "not about good or bad... this is about power. And who can use it." That's an idea that cuts to the core of the Jedi Order, which has always been presented as an intentionally elite organization, at odds with the scrappier (and more empathetic) Rebellion or Resistance. Could this be the Star Wars story that makes the Sith into the scrappy underdogs that the Empire and First Order could never be? And if so... what will that do for future Star Wars stories?
Fans have become used to the promise that any new installment in a long-running storyline will be the one that "changes everything," but... what if The Acolyte ends up actually fulfilling that promise?
Created by Leslye Headland (Russian Doll), The Acolyte is the Star Wars prequel to end all prequels - set roughly 100 years before Episode I - The Phantom Menace. In an era known as 'The High Republic,' a series of crimes is being investigated by a Jedi Master (Lee Jung-jae) and his former padawan (Amandla Stenberg). From the advance promotion, the Acolyte claims to be focused centrally on Star Wars villains for the first time - with presumably the Acolyte in question being an acolyte to a hidden Sith Lord.
Star Wars: The Acolyte premieres its first two episodes Tuesday, June 4 exclusively on Disney+.
Get ready for everything coming up with our guide to upcoming Star Wars movies & TV shows, or dive into the past with our Star Wars watch order.
