Actor Manny Jacinto has been cast in the upcomingDisney Plusoriginal seriesStar Wars: Acolyte. He joins fellow co-stars Amandla Stenberg, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Lee Jung-jae, who just won an Emmy for his performance in the Netflix seriesSquid Game.
Developed by writer and director Leslye Headland,The Acolyteis an upcoming Disney Plusoriginal series set during the high republic era in theStar Warsgalaxy. The series is described as a “mystery-thriller that will take viewers into a galaxy of shadowy secrets and emerging Dark Side powers in the final days of the High Republic era.”
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Deadlinebroke the news, but details regarding Jacinto’s role are being kept under wraps. Jacinto is best known for his role as Jason Mendoza in the popular NBC sitcomThe Good Place. He has also recently starred inNine Perfect StrangersandBrand New Cherry Flavor,and he was featured in a small role in the summer blockbusterTop Gun: Maverick.Headland will serve as showrunner forThe Acolyte,and she has stated that her experience as a queer creator will be reflected in the series. Headland has stated that she drew a lot of inspiration from both the extendedStar Warsuniverse and the prequel trilogy. Lucasfilm has also confirmed that Stenberg will be the series lead, but further details about her character are unknown, with many fans speculating that she could be the titular Acolyte.
The Acolytewill be the first live-action project set duringThe High Republic Era,which is defined as a time period in theStar Warscanon set roughly 200-years before the prequel trilogy. Headland has referred to this era as a “renaissance period,” further describing it as an “Age of Enlightenment” and a time when the Jedi were at the height of their power and influence in the galaxy. As a result, the series will likely focus on a more villainous perspective, portraying the Sith as the underdogs. WhileThe Acolyteis not expected to premiere this year, production is in full swing, and more casting news is expected going forward.
Andoris set to be the nextStar Warsseries to premiere on Disney Plus. The series stars Diego Luna, who is reprising his role as rebel spy Cassian Andor fromRogue One: A Star Wars Story.The first three episodes will premiere on Disney Plus on September 21st, 2022. Disney also recently released the first trailer forThe Mandalorianseason 3,which is slated to premiere on Disney Plus sometime in 2023.
Star Wars: The Acolyteis expected to be released on Disney Plus in 2023 or 2024.
