The Acolyte, Disney+'s upcoming Sith-focused Star Wars show set during the High Republic era, is aiming for 2024 debut, according to The Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger.
Iger dropped the news about the anticipated Star Wars show during a Q&A session at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media, and Telecom Conference. "Just last night, I got a clip of a Star Wars series that's going to air on Disney+ in 2024 called The Acolyte, that looks brilliant," Iger said. The Acolyte was first announced back in 2020 and early production began last year, but this is the first official release window given by Disney.
Lucasfilm's official synopsis states that The Acolyte is set during the High Republic era, roughly a century before the events of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. The story will follow a Jedi Knight (The Hate U Give star Amandla Stenberg) and her former teacher (Squid Game star Lee Jung-jae) as they investigate a mysterious threat to the galaxy. Carrie Anne-Moss (The Matrix) and Dafne Keen (Logan) will appear in supporting roles, and Keen has hinted that the show heavily focuses on the Sith. "It's kind of an explanation of how the Sith infiltrated the Jedi," Keen said. "It's a Sith-led story, which has never been done before."
The Acolyte Brings the High Republic to Live-Action
The High Republic has been explored in various Star Wars books, short stories and comics, including the novel Light of the Jedi by Charles Soule and the Marvel series Star Wars: The High Republic written by Cavan Scott and illustrated by Ario Anindito. The Acolyte will be the first time the High Republic has appeared outside of print media. Behind the scenes, Lucasfilm has hired screenwriter Charmaine DeGraté, who's previously worked on the Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon and the Amazon Prime Video show Daisy Jones & The Six. The show is also dealing with an ongoing lawsuit, as a producer claims she was fired from without being paid for her work.
This release window makes The Acolyte the second Star Wars show to be confirmed for 2024, alongside Season 2 of Andor. The Rogue One prequel will be ending with its second season, and Diego Luna has said the show's short length is good for both the character arc of Rebel soldier Cassian Andor and his own mental health. In the meantime, Ahsoka (starring Rosario Dawson) and Star Wars: Skeleton Crew (starring Jude Law) are expected to come out on Disney+ later in 2023. The third season of The Mandalorian is currently ongoing on the platform.
The Acolyte is slated to premiere on Disney+ in 2024.
Source: The Direct