Leslye Headland Creator of ‘Star Wars: The Acolyte’ Talks about the Setting & Inspiration Behind the Show: “It’s a drop in the bucket, baby”

During the premiere of ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’, television writer Leslye Headland discussed her potential ideas for Star Wars films if approached by Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy. By April 2020, Headland was confirmed to write and serve as showrunner for a new female-centric Star Wars series on Disney+.

The series was anticipated to be set in the High Republic Era, in a different timeline from other Star Wars projects. Now, after several years in development, ‘The Acolyte’ finally has a trailer and a release date. In light of this, Leslye Headland has shared her inspiration for the show and what fans can expect. Headland revealed that she has been a fan of the franchise since her teenage years, finding a sense of escape in the galaxy far, far away.

I think it just meant so much to me because it was a place to live, a place to escape to. Not just the media, but…George [Lucas] had given you enough signposts that it’s almost like Narnia. You could just go [into the Star Wars galaxy] and live there. And then you just have to come out of the wardrobe at some point and go to class.

After securing the chance to share her own Star Wars story with ‘The Acolyte,’ Leslye Headland commemorated the occasion by getting a tattoo of Ralph McQuarrie’s original concept art of Princess Leia Organa on her right hand. This tattoo became a steadfast reminder of the galaxy’s beginnings as she crafted her distinct story.

Leslye also seized the opportunity to remark on the impressive action scenes that the show will offer:

I was really impressed. Carrie-Anne Moss, Amandla Stenberg, and Lee Jung-jae — he really blew me away with how much of his own action he did!The way that they challenged themselves, they understood that it was important, emotionally, for the audience to see their faces.

She also remarked on the setting of the show, noting that the High Republic era had never been depicted in live-action before.

If Star Wars is about the underdog versus the institution, [in The Acolyte] the Jedi are the institution. I was so interested in a storyline where the Jedi were at the height of their power — and I don’t mean The Phantom Menace, because at that point, there’s a Sith Lord in the Senate that they’re not picking up on. Like it’s a thing I’ve heard of, but it’s not a thing that you would ever consider you’d be interacting with.

Headland assures newcomers to ‘Star Wars’ that they don’t need extensive background knowledge to follow the show. Watching other shows or reading books is not necessary to understand the story, and she appreciates it that way. She also advises against forming expectations before watching the show.

But whatever you think The Acolyte is, it’s not that. It’s a drop in the bucket, baby. Just hang in there and check it out.

The show will comprise 8 episodes and will premiere on Disney+ on June 4th. Got something to share? Feel free to drop your thoughts in the comments section below!