Featured Image Credit: Disney+
Topics: Disney, Star Wars, Film and TV, Disney Plus
Michael Slavin
The first trailer has dropped for the new Star Wars series which some have called the ‘most dark and adult’ the franchise has ever been.
The trailer for the prequel, starring Amandla Stenberg and Squid Game star Lee Jung-jae, was released today (March 19).
According to industry rumors, the show will be ‘the most dark and adult’ Star Wars has ever gotten - and if the trailer is anything to go by these rumors are all but confirmed.
Check it out here:
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The Acolyte is set hundreds of years prior to the prequel triology, with fans across social media buzzing to see the show.
Following mixed reactions to Disney+ series such as Obi Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka, and the latest season of The Mandalorian, the streamer seemingly needs a hit more than ever, and it seems to have already found it in The Acolyte.
Set in the High Republic Era, a time period of Star Wars previously only explored in books and comics, the show is set to explore the origin story of the Sith, the evil red-lightsaber holding villains of the iconic movies.
The show’s first look presents a mystery where an unknown evil is going around the galaxy killing off Jedi’s, with Jung-jae playing a Jedi sent to investigate.
The series' take on Star Wars is a unique one, with the story told not only from the perspective of the villainous Sith, but also painting them as the underdogs.
Fans have overwhelmingly praised the trailer, stating it ‘looks pretty damm good’.
Movie Critic Draven Mayberry took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to ask: “Best Star Wars project in years?”
One fan on Reddit said of the trailer: “This looks top notch and I’m really excited for this. I guess I should dive back into the High Republic books.”
Another dug the realistic martial arts inspired choreography of fights in the trailer, commenting: “Digging the emphasis on martial arts!”
Writer and showrunner Leslye Headland spoke about martial arts films as being a big influence for the series, telling IGN: "I actually went more toward martial arts films, and storylines that are a little bit more personal and less global and galactic.
"Those warriors were on missions that were deeply personal, with people feeling wronged and having to make it right. Wuxia Films and martial arts films from King Hu and the Shaw Brothers, like Come Drink with Me and Touch Oo Zen. They're monks that are also martial arts heroes."
The Acolyte is set to drop on Disney+ on June 4, 2024 in the US, just a month after the iconic Star Wars holiday May the 4th, when a final trailer for it is expected to be released.
The Acolyte is set to drop on June 5 in the UK.