Summary
Lucasfilm has officially announced a delightful number of official transmedia tie-ins and spinoffs toThe Acolyte. The future ofStar Warslies in the past; specifically, the tail-end of theHigh Republic Era, the golden age of the Jedi and the Republic. Introduced in published back in January 2021 with Charles Soule’sLight of the Jedi, the High Republic Era has finally been brought to life inThe Acolyte. Created by Leslye Headland, this TV show is set a full century before the events ofStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace.
Star Warsis so much more than a mere movie (or even film and TV) franchise. There’s a sense in which it is one of the oldest transmedia franchises in the world, andThe Acolyteshowrunner Leslye Headland grew up loving the various novels, comics, and games. Unsurprisingly, then, she’s worked with Lucasfilm Publishing on a wide range of tie-ins and spinoffs. These were finally unveiled at theStar Wars: Stories from a Galaxy Far, Far Awaypanel at San Diego Comic-Con 2024.Here are all the major announcements…
4Star Wars: The Acolyte - Kelnacca #1
Everybody’s favorite Wookiee Jedi stars in his own one-shot
KELNACCA FROM THE HIT DISNEY+ SERIES DEBUTS! CAVAN SCOTT and MARIKA CRESTA bring the action as Wookiee Jedi Kelnacca steps into the pages of his own issue! Delve deep into the history of Kelnacca and the world of the High Republic in this bombastic one-shot! Includes an exclusive interview with Kelnacca actor Joonas Suotamo.
The first ever live-actionWookiee Jedi, Kelnacca was played by Joonas Suotamo (who also played Chewbacca in theStar Warssequel trilogy andSolo: A Star Wars Story). Kelnacca only had a relatively minor role, mostly appearing in flashbacks, but he was an instant fan-favorite. There’s undeniably something so very impressive and intimidating about a Wookiee Jedi, especially one in those beautiful High Republic roles.
The official preview images forKelnacca#1 set up a vitally important story. The first panels appear to show the aftermath of the destruction of Starlight Beacon, a space station maintained by the Jedi during the High Republic Era. That meansKelnaccaserves as a bridge between the main events ofStar Wars: The High RepublicandThe Acolyte, while the solicit promises revelations about Kelnacca’s history. Headland is known to have planned out her characters' backstories in meticulous detail, and it will be thrilling to learn more about Kelnacca.
Cavan Scott and Marika Cresta
Publication date
3The Acolyte Visual Guide
The ultimate guide to the galaxy of The Acolyte
Delve deeper into Star Wars: The Acolyte with the definitive visual guide. Decades before the birth of Darth Vader, explore the glorious High Republic era in the Star Wars galaxy. During this exciting time, the noble Jedi are protectors of peace and justice. This Visual Guide reveals all of the key characters, locations, vehicles, and technology from the Disney+ series and is written by Star Wars insider Pablo Hidalgo.
It’s been a while since Lucasfilm has announced an officialVisual Guideto accompany one of their TV shows. Written by Pablo Hidalgo, a key lorekeeper in the Lucasfilm Story Group, this promises to give behind-the-scenes information on all the key characters, locations, vehicles, and technology. The production designs onThe Acolytewere so very purposeful, and this will undoubtedly explain a lot of backstory and the reasons for some key creative choices.
2Star Wars: The Acolyte - Wayseeker
A vital story of Jedi Master Vernestra Rwoh
Before The Acolyte, Vernestra Rwoh must find her place in the Jedi Order.
Vernestra Rwoh has spent over a decade exploring the Outer Rim as a Wayseeker, answering to no other authority but the Force itself. When a request from the Jedi Council orders her back to Coruscant, Vernestra initially refuses, feeling that her first priority should be to the beings she's already serving. But after Jedi Master Indara arrives to ask for Vernestra’s aid in person, Vernestra finds herself pulled back into Coruscant’s complicated world of Republic politics and underworld crime. As the two delve further into their investigation, and the lines between Jedi and Republic business blur, and Vernestra must reconsider what it means to serve for Light and Life.
Played by Rebecca Henderson,Jedi Master Vernestra Rwohis a key player in the Jedi Order at the time ofThe Acolyte. The character was created by Justina Ireland as part of Lucasfilm Publishing’sStar Wars: The High Republictransmedia initiative, which introduced readers to a much younger version of “Vern” as she is sometimes nicknamed. Henderson’s version is a more mature, much more stoic character, and there’s intense speculation about her character journey.
Appropriately enough, it will fall to Justina Ireland herself to tell the story of Vernestra Rwoh’s transformation.Wayseekerwill be set 20 years beforeThe Acolyte; it will open with Vernestra as a Wayseeker, a Jedi who has separated herself from the entire Order. Curiously, she will be drawn back into Jedi affairs by Indara, the Jedi Master played by Carrie-Anne Moss inThe Acolyte.
Even more excitingly,there may well be hints about the true identity ofThe Acolyte’s Sith Lord. Played by Manny Jacinto, this character is known to be Vernestra’s former pupil, and it’s possible something to do with him caused her to become a Wayseeker in the first place. This particular book should be unmissable for fans ofThe Acolyte.
1Star Wars: The Acolyte - Untitled Young-Adult Novel
A surprising past adventure featuring Yord and Jecki
While their Jedi Masters clean up a political mess left behind by one of their own, Jedi Padawan Jecki and her least favorite fellow Padawan Yord are drawn into a planet-wide coming-of-age ritual as featured guests. The first ritual goes well, but when the final event is interrupted, Jecki and Yord will have to use all of their abilities and work together to keep each other - and their new friends - safe from danger.
A more surprising spinoff will featureDafne Keen’s Jecki and Charlie Barnett’s Yord Fandar, two major characters who sadly met a brutal fate at the hands of the Stranger. This book appears to be a subtle retcon, becauseThe Acolyteepisode 1 established that the mission for Osha was Jecki’s first assignment as a Padawan. Evidently that isn’t the case after all - which is frankly great, because it will be exciting to learn more about Jecki’s backstory in particular.
