With the children’s series “The Adventures of the Young Jedi” there are already stories set in the so-called High Republic era, but this is now really explored in moving images for the first time with “Star Wars: The Acolyte” . Set approximately 100 years before the events of “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace,” the Jedi are at the height of their power and seem to have no enemies to fear. ‘The Acolyte’ will show us that things are different.
In the new series we see completely new characters – such as the wise and powerful Jedi master Sol (“Squid Game” star Jung-jae Lee), the excellent fighter and Jedi master Indara (“Matrix” legend Carrie-Ann Moss) or the loner and Wookie Jedi Kelnacca (Joonas Suotamo). Finally, the numerous novels and comics about the High Republic are also set well before the events of “The Acolyte”.
But next to it There is also at least one well-known character – because he can already be discovered in the trailer.
Live-action debut for Vernestra Rwoh
While fans continue to speculate whether Master Yoda or, for example, the droid Huang (most recently voiced by David Tennant in ‘Ahsoka’) will play a role as they were an important part of the Jedi Order at the time and thus could appear, the former has us Trailer reveals yet an existing character: Vernestra Rwoh. She’s the green Jedi who casually opens a door with the help of the Force in a scene in the trailer.
We only knew Vernestra Rwoh as a teenager. At just 15 years old, she became one of the youngest Jedi Masters of all time and was soon entrusted with her first missions of her own. Their very first mission is told in the young adult novel “Star Wars: The High Republic – The Test”. Another story with her is the book ‘Star Wars: The High Republic: Mission to Doom’, where we meet her as an 18-year-old Jedi.
In “The Acolyte,” Vernestra Rwoh is now considerably older – according to the official announcement, about 100 years older than when she appeared in the novel. Anyone who already knows the character from the books will get to know her from a completely new side.
As series creator Leslye Headland reveals: With experience, she is no longer the daredevil who dreams of great adventures. You will rarely see them in the typical robes that the Jedi wear for their missions. After all, she has seen so much and now lives in harmony with the Force, admired by the other Jedi. She looks more like a ‘high official’.
The veteran Jedi Knight is played by Leslye Headland’s wife Rebecca Henderson. The Canadian actress was part of the cast of the Netflix series ‘Matryoshka’ and ‘Inventing Anna’.
Even if her Vernestra Rwoh no longer focuses primarily on adventures but is more active in the Jedi administration, fans of the novels will likely hope that she will still pull out the lightsaber at some point. Because she possesses one of the most unusual Jedi lightsabers. She can transform the glowing blade into a kind of swinging whip.
“Star Wars: The Acolyte“ starts in Germany on Disney+ in the early hours of June 5, 2024. There are two episodes to start with, followed by a new episode every week. The story is told about a mysterious threat to the Jedi. Master Sol encounters this when he begins investigating a series of murders.
Here’s the trailer again: