The Acolyte trailer didn’t do much to garner the interest of Star Wars fans. But it appears that showrunner Leslye Headland is doing some damage control. Her latest interview comments have managed to gain the attention of many fans as she revealed her inspiration behind the series and the several references she used in it. Headland shared that she drew inspiration for The Acolyte from her favorite Clone Wars episode, The Wrong Jedi.
Set at the end of the High Republic era, The Acolyte explores the story of a respected Jedi master investigating a series of crimes involving a former Padawan. The series stars Amandla Stenberg, Lee Jung-Jae, Manny Jacinto, Dafne Keen, and Carrie-Anne Moss in crucial roles.
Leslye Headland Shares The Star Wars Films & Shows That Inspired The Acolyte
Leslye Headland is the first woman to helm a Star Wars show, but that’s not the only standout point of The Acolyte. Headland’s show will perhaps be the first Sith-led project in the franchise, as she focuses on the dark side of the Force. Her main character is the former Padawan-turned-dangerous warrior Mae, played by Amandla Stenberg.
During an interview with IGN, the showrunner revealed the different Star Wars projects that inspired her project or were referenced in the series. She shared that her series stood closer to the prequel trilogy than the original trilogy as it was set before the events of The Phantom Menace. She revealed that her story explored the underdog among the Sith, who were outnumbered by the Jedi at the time.
One particular group of characters from Star Wars: The Clone Wars also served as inspiration for Headland. She was fascinated by the Nightsisters in the show, especially in the episode The Wrong Jedi. During the filming of the series, she included references from the animated series. She revealed that she also referenced the Star Wars film, Return of the Jedi, in The Acolyte. Headland shared with IGN:
“But also, The Clone Wars [inspired The Acolyte], a lot being inspired by Nightsisters. We don’t have any Nightsisters in this show, but being inspired by them, being inspired by Asajj Ventress. My favorite episode is The Wrong Jedi. I definitely took some inspiration from that.
We kind of ran the gambit: ‘Let’s reference Return of the Jedi here, let’s reference this holding cell based on a Clone Wars episode here, let’s have a Cantina,’ because I’ve always wanted one. I think when you get an opportunity to do a Star Wars and you’re a Star Wars fan, the idea is to get in a lot of your wish list.”
However, adding these references will in no way make the series similar to other Star Wars shows. Headland revealed that the series went with the creative choice of using practical sets as much as possible, which made the series stand out from others. Headland’s latest comments have definitely had some impact on the audience’s perception of the show.
Leslye Headland May Have Saved The Acolyte From Failing Miserably
The trailer for The Acolyte, released on May 4th, did not impress many Star Wars fans. Despite an intriguing premise, the trailer failed to generate any hype. Fans felt that the series felt like a fan-made movie in the Star Wars universe, with actors hired from a cosplay convention. However, Headland’s recent comments may have changed this perception of the project.
Fans on X seemed excited about the Clone Wars connection, sharing that The Wrong Jedi was one of the best arcs in the animated show. It meant that this show might be a good one. Several fans appreciated the choice of The Clone Wars inspiration and shared that they were now intrigued about the project. One fan shared that Headland’s comments gave a new hope for the series. Some of the fan reactions read:
That's the best clone wars arc. This show MIGHT be really good 👀
— Dylan 📽 (@obiwankenobIl) May 14, 2024
That’s a good episode to choose. I’m further intrigued & I was already excited.
— T.H. Solomon (@THSolomonBooks) May 15, 2024
I will be seated, no doubt.
— Dev (@ItssDevvv) May 15, 2024
That definitely gives me hope for this series. Hopefully it’ll be as good as Andor
— Oliver (@thatjedislayer) May 15, 2024
I could tell but I didn’t realize she is also a Clone Wars fan too.
— Julian “Jules” Rhaney🎮 (@MrJulianR1) May 15, 2024
— Uncanny Crimson Lotus (@Messiah2049) May 15, 2024
The Acolyte will debut with two episodes set to be released on June 4, 2024, on Disney+. The following six episodes will be released on a weekly basis. Star Wars: The Clone Wars and all other Star Wars projects mentioned are also available on Disney+.
