Lucasfilm has reportedly cast The Hate U Give star, Amandla Stenberg, for the lead role in the upcoming Star Wars series, The Acolyte. The series has been described as a mystery and thriller that will explore the emerging dark side in the final days of the High Republic, which in the Star Wars mythology, ends about fifty years before the events of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. It is one of many high-profile Star Wars television series coming to Disney+ and the only one that does not take place during the events of the Skywalker Saga.

The Acolyte was originally announced in April 2020 by playwright Leslye Headland. The project was officially confirmed on May the 4th of 2020, and an official title was announced in December 2020 during Disney’s Investor Day call. It was announced that the series would take place in the High Republic Era, a month before the first novel of the new High Republic initiative hit bookshelves. The series is currently expected to begin filming in mid-2022 with an eight-episode count, similar to that of The Mandalorian.

SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY

According to Deadline, Stenberg is set to star as the lead role in The Acolyte. Currently, no details exist about the character Stenberg is playing, and it is being kept under wraps. Recent reports listed the character’s name as Aura, though it could be a possible placeholder name. This is the first major casting news for the series, with more likely to come in the following months before production begins.

See also  'Zombieland' TV Series Dropped By Amazon After Unsuccessful Pilot

While only 23, Stenberg has assembled an impressive resume of film and television credits. Their breakout performance was in 2012’s The Hunger Games where they played Rue, the young tribute from District 11. After that, Stenberg landed lead roles in YA projects like Everything, Everything, The Darkest Minds, and The Hate U Give, and most recently was seen in the adaptation of the Broadway hit, Dear Evan Hansen. The Acolyte marks Stenberg’s first lead role in a television series.

Details on The Acolyte remain under wraps, but given the events of the story take place about fifty years before the events of the Skywalker Saga, it is likely audiences will get a glimpse at some familiar faces. Yoda appears in the High Republic books and comics, and with an emerging dark side threat emerging, it is likely audiences could see the first live-action appearance of Darth Plagueis the Wise, which means his apprentice, Palpatine, will likely be referenced. Steinberg’s character could possibly be a Jedi who uncovers the potential return of the Sith, and who meets their end before they can alert the council to the rising threat.

Source: Deadline

Young Sheldon: How [SPOILER’S] Death Will Affect Big Bang Theory’s Timeline

About The Author


Richard Fink
(531 Articles Published)

Richard Fink is a news writer for Screen Rant. He graduated from Arizona State University in 2016 with a degree in Film and Media Production. He loves the finer things in life, like cold Diet Coke on a hot summer day. Richard is a fan of all things Star Wars, Marvel, DC, and Film History.

See also  Adventure Time: 10 Best Slang Terms Finn & Jake Invented

More From Richard Fink