Four years ago Disney and Lucasfilm embarked on the ambitious journey of launching an entirely new era of Star Wars. Originally teased as “Project Luminous,” we now know the new epoch as ‘The High Republic’ (“THR,” for our occasional purposes). Touted as a “breath of fresh air” in Star Wars storytelling, THR was meant to show us a whole new side of the franchise, and of the Jedi, in particular. The problem was that fans didn’t get to see anything. The studios opted to showcase the era in various print media only…. That is, until now: The Acolyte hits Disney+ this coming June.
The High Republic spans the golden age of the galaxy. Taking place a half-millennia to about a century prior to the events of A New Hope, THR is intended as an exposition of the changing political landscape of the Republic leading up the prequel trilogy timeline. Through it, Charles Soule and other authors also reveal of the evolution of the Jedi Order. As one would expect, the Order also changes, gradually and not for the better, until the seeds of discontent are sewn. Enter The Acolyte.
Disney, Lucasfilm go all-in on Star Wars: The Acolyte
Set at the tail-end of the High Republic era, Leslye Heyland’s series takes place in a time of “shadowy secrets and emerging dark side powers.” While the trailer (which you can see HERE) is steeped with action and intrigue, one wonders if it will have the full effect for which the producers are hoping, (i.e. renewed, or even new) interest in The High Republic. Keep in mind: thus far every live-action film or series of the Disney era of Star Wars has had its base in deep, franchise lore. The Acolyte, to the contrary, stems solely from the High Republic… a subsection of the franchise that’s has only garnered a tepid welcome, at best.
While admittedly outdated now, Upstream Reviews painted a pretty bleak picture of THR’s reception last June. In a little over two years, readership of the era’s works plummeted by nearly ninety-five (95%) percent. You don’t have to be an expert in book sales to know that such a drop is atrociously abysmal. The interest in THR just never materialized the way Star Wars execs had hoped. Its only saving grace may be The Acolyte now… Presuming the Lucasfilm live-action series resonates with fans on a much higher level than did the written works.
How will all this shake out? To quote Yoda, our favorite, multi-generational Jedi, “always in motion, the future is.” We’ll have a better idea when The Acolyte releases with a two-episode premiere on June 4th.
