Summary

• The Acolyte promises a fresh take on Star Wars with a brand-new lightsaber and a setting in the High Republic era.
• Creator Leslye Headland's persistence paid off in pushing the boundaries of lightsabers for the series.
• The Acolyte's innovative approach blends iconic lightsabers with mysterious murders and the rise of the Sith in the High Republic era.

While already introducing the wild lightwhip in the Star Wars show, The Acolyte creator Leslye Headland reveals that a brand-new lightsaber was made for the series. The Disney+ show will be introducing a new era to viewers, as it takes place during the High Republic, some 50–100 years before the Skywalker Saga. The new series will follow the Jedi investigation of mysterious murders and the rise of the Sith from the shadows. The Acolyte's cast is led by Carrie-Anne Moss, Dafne Keen, Amandla Stenberg, and Lee Jung-jae and will have a two-episode premiere on June 4.

In an interview with Rotten Tomatoes, The Acolyte creator Headland unveils that a new lightsaber was created for the Star Wars series. Watch the interview below:

Headland starts off by saying that the new lightsaber is something she wanted to work in a particular way and that the new weapon in question isn’t the lightwhip that’s already been teased. When she initially brought the proposal to the prop department, they told her it wouldn’t work. However, Headland couldn’t let it go, and her persistence seems to have paid off, as the new lightsaber was ultimately made.

The Acolyte Is Pushing the Boundaries Of Lightsabers

The content for Star Wars’ new show that’s been revealed so far already tease something that distinguishes itself from the Skywalker Saga.

Fresh and unique seems to be the theme of The Acolyte. Its setting, the High Republic, where the Jedi are at their prime, is something viewers haven’t seen yet. This makes the series stand out from the shows so far released on Disney+, which have generally been set in the era between the original and sequel trilogies. On top of exploring an era of Star Wars that hasn’t been seen in live-action, the show is proving to be innovative with its iconic lightsabers as well.

It was recently revealed that a custom lightsaber (a shoto blade) was made for Keen's young Padawan, Jecki Lon. While it was primarily made because of her height, it possibly sets her up as a strong Force who might have a distinct fighting style. A purple lightwhip has also been teased in The Acolyte trailers, and while lightwhips were weaker than a typical lightsaber and had more limited cutting capabilities, the weapon was effective against the Forbidden Forms of the Sith, something that could prove to be useful in The Acolyte.

The content for Star Wars’ new show that’s been revealed so far already tease something that distinguishes itself from the Skywalker saga, while containing the visceral action of the main saga, complete with lightsabers and striking duels. Headland’s reveal that a brand-new lightsaber that pushes the boundaries of the weapon was created adds to this. This piece of information is telling, in that The Acolyte creator isn’t afraid to get creative with the source material while treating it with the grace and reverence it deserves.

The Acolyte premieres on Disney+ on June 4.

Source: Rotten Tomatoes/Twitter