The Acolyte is an upcoming Star Wars show set to debut on Disney Plus sometime in 2023. While there are plenty of Star Wars shows coming out in the future, The Acolyte is the one with the least amount of information currently available. Despite this, fans are very excited about it and everything that has been confirmed from the show thus far.
While each Star Wars show should feel part of a cohesive whole while retaining some individuality, there are certain things fans will want to see from a series that goes beyond the expected good writing, good acting, and good direction. The Acolyte offers ways for KOTOR characters to make an appearance, and lots of expansion to the overall lore. Here's what fans are hoping for.
6 High Republic Setting
The Acolyte will be set in the High Republic, focusing on the emergence of Dark Side powers in the era's final days. While Coruscant and a lot of the settings across the Galaxy shouldn't be too different from how they were in the Prequel Trilogy, but enough differences to show some distinction for the die-hard Republic fans looking for Easter eggs.
Since the High Republic era is one that has only seen exploration in the past couple of years, the possibilities for storylines are pretty much endless. Fans are excited to see well-known locations such as Coruscant, Naboo, and Nar Shadaa during this unexplored era.
5 Sith Holocrons
Since the series focuses on the emergence of Dark Side powers, it stands to reason that the titular Acolyte, whoever they are, could be learning from an abandoned, ancient Sith holocron. These typically contain knowledge gifted from the most powerful Sith Lords.
The Prequel Era Jedi make it clear that the Sith haven't been seen in 1000 years, so any Sith Lords around would need to be laying extremely low. While characters at least loyal to the Sith are bound to make an appearance, it could be possible either the Acolyte or a group of them are learning through Sith holocrons.
4 Lightsaber Duels
Lightsaber duels are part and parcel of any Star Wars project, and fans will be hoping that The Acolyte is no different. The Mandalorian Season 2 did a good job of showing how lightsaber duels don't have to feature both combatants using the iconic weapons, as shown with Ahsoka's face-off against the Magistrate. Even the most powerful Mandalorians used to fight against Jedi, despite not having lightsabers of their own.
Any lightsaber duels would have to either take place between one lightsaber combatant against someone using a weapon that can deflect lightsabers, or between two Sith behind closed doors. Either way, fans will be hoping to see at least one duel in The Acolyte series.
3 Death Of A Jedi
The death of a Jedi isn't something that has been seen all too often in Star Wars media, when considering the size and scale of all the Star Wars books, movies, and TV shows that have released over the years. However, when it does happen (as with Qui-Gon Jinn in The Phantom Menace), it can make for an emotional gut punch that stands the test of time.
It would be fascinating if The Acolyte included the death of a Jedi, either at the hands of a Sith or their followers. Any death of a Jedi would have to be opportunistic; what's more, the perpetrators would have to immediately leave if they were Sith, to keep up their pretense of being extinct. It could be a great source of drama for the show, and one that gives it a bit of an edge.
2 Yoda Appearance
Yoda was over 900 years old when he died in Return of the Jedi, and he was Jedi Master at the age of 100. This means that he will be middle-aged and already one of the most powerful Jedi Masters by the time of The Acolyte. While the series does focus on the Sith and their followers, there is of course an opportunity for the Jedi Order to show up at least in cameo.
Since we know Yoda appears in Eclipse, which is also set in the High Republic era, it stands to reason that he could also appear in The Acolyte. Yoda is one of the most important and loved characters in the entire franchise, so there would certainly be a demand for him to make an appearance.
1 Expansion On Sith Lore
The Sith are an interesting faction that, while being present in most Star Wars media, haven't been expanded upon to the level of the Jedi Order. Since the Acolyte is likely to be either an individual or group of Sith followers, it presents an opportunity for more Sith expansion. Perhaps audiences will get a glimpse of Sith legends that appeared in animation, but never in live-action.
While the Sith are lying low at this point in the timeline, there is no reason why the show can't delve more into their activities. As long as they're staying far away from wherever the Jedi are, there's no reason that the show can't expand upon the Sith and give fans a glimpse of what they're up to.
