Star Wars’ vast canopy of movies and series includes many narratives and fresh possibilities for superhero fanatics. The most recent addition to this list is The Acolyte, directed by Leslye Headland. The live-action series currently streaming on Disney+ takes place around 100 years before the events of The Phantom Menace and is set towards the end of the High Republic era.
While the costumes in the show were heavily influenced by taking note of past historical warriors, the villain’s stylish outfit, on the other hand, had a connection with the action role-playing game Elden Ring developed by FromSoftware, but not in the way one might expect.
The Acolyte has drawn inspiration from Elden Ring
The fifth episode of The Acolyte was replete with unexpected twists and turns that took the audience on a rollercoaster ride. With the significant reveal that Qimir (Manny Jacinto) is the Sith Master known as The Stranger. Further, it took some time for the audience to realize that Mae’s (Amandla Stenberg) comical sidekick and confidant was responsible for the savage deaths of several Jedis during the Stranger’s reign of terror.
While this update shocked the audience, his costume also drew their attention. In an exclusive interview with Inverse, Leslye Headland was asked if she expected Jacinto’s arms to be such a significant draw for the series. To this, she replied:
His character design was a long process. I mean, it was for everybody, but specifically for his character, to create a new Sith. Sith have been done so well, so it was very difficult to say “All right, this is a guy in hiding. This is the guy that moves differently. This guy’s helmet has a different purpose…” and having to unpack that.
Further, that the entire team needed to build a fresh Sith character, especially given how well-established these characters are in the Star Wars universe. She also added that when she showed Manny Jacinto a sketch of Qimir’s outfit with his arms somewhat visible in the sketch, he rejected it. She further added:
He’s not a guy that says no very often. He’s very collaborative. He’ll do anything for you. I was surprised. But then I saw his first screen test with the whole outfit, and I was like, “Ha, ha, ha!”
As she revealed, Manny Jacinto’s screen test confirmed that this is the ideal costume for him and appropriate for his character. Further, one of the most essential elements of Qimir’s clothing in The Acolyte was that it allowed him to move freely without being hindered by heavy armor.
For this, the crew decided on a flowy costume, but such an odd choice raised concerns, with some questioning the character’s lack of armor. She added:
As soon as I said he didn’t have armor, everyone lost their mind. “How can you not have armor?” I was like, “Why would you wear armor if you’re not going to get hit?” It’s like the Elden Ring costume. The Elden Bling. When you summon people, you always summon the people that aren’t wearing anything, and it’s like, “These people are f***ing crazy.”
To follow this strategy, Headland was inspired by the Elden Ring costume, “The Elden Bling,” in which some of the most stunning characters wear minimal or no armor, in sync with Qimir’s character, who does not wear any special costume other than his Cortosis ore helmet.
Leslye Headland criticized for promoting queerness in The Acolyte
Leslye Headland would be the first openly queer person to direct a major Star Wars series, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Furthermore, the plot involving Mother Aniseya and Mother Koril prompted the fans to classify them as a lesbian couple, blaming her for the show’s progressive themes.
After this, the showrunner was condemned for crafting a show with “woke” propaganda, including multiple LGBTQ messaging’s. She further rejected these rumors, adding:
I was surprised by the question. Amandla and I just burst out laughing because that’s our knee-jerk reaction to being asked that, but to be honest, I don’t know what the term ‘gay’ means in that sense. I don’t believe that I’ve created queer, with a capital Q, content.
The showrunner clarified the reason for the audience’s worry, stating that because both Mother Aniseya and Koril come from a matriarchal society with no male presence, it is only natural that they have a strong relationship.
The Acolyte currently streaming on Disney+.
