Leslye Headland breaks barriers as the first woman to create a show for the “Star Wars” franchise
US director Leslye Headland is finally realizing her dream of helming a show in the “Star Wars” universe — the setting for many of her childhood play sessions. She’s also become the first woman to create a show for the franchise.
“I came into the universe by basically hammering everybody at Lucasfilm to hear my pitch,” Headland tells Arab News, detailing the many cold calls it took to finally get them to listen.
Introducing “Star Wars: The Acolyte” – A Mystery Thriller Set in the High Republic Era
The result — “Star Wars: The Acolyte,” which began June 4 on Disney+ — is set in the High Republic era, approximately 100 years before the events of the film “Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace.” It’s a mystery thriller that follows respected Jedi Master Sol (“Squid Game” star Lee Jung-jae) as he investigates a series of crimes that bring him into contact with a former Padawan called Osha (Amandla Stenberg).
Headland had a simple philosophy when she developed “Star Wars: The Acolyte.” She aimed to create a story that could transcend the “Star Wars” universe and still be compelling in a modern setting.
Lee Jung-jae’s English-language Debut and Intense Training for “The Acolyte”
South Korean actor Jung-jae makes his English-language debut with “The Acolyte.” He underwent rigorous training to embody the character of Master Sol, a Jedi with a martial artist aura, involving two months of physical preparation and choreography memorization.
Amandla Stenberg’s Double Role and Love for the “Star Wars” Universe
Stenberg, known for her role in “The Hunger Games” franchise, embraced the challenge of playing twin sisters at odds with each other in “The Acolyte.” She shares her deep love for the “Star Wars” universe, expressing how the more she learns, the more she loves and gets lost in its fantastical worlds.