This time last year, Netflix‘s ‘Squid Game‘ took popular culture by storm and became a global phenomenon. Now, Lucasfilm and Disney+ want to see if some of that magic rubs off on an upcoming “Star Wars” series.
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Deadline reports that “Squid Game” star Lee Jung-Jae joins the cast of the upcoming “Star Wars” Disney+ series “The Acolyte.” It’s Lee’s first major studio role following his breakout performance in the Netflix series. Lee’s role in “The Acolyte” is currently being kept a secret, but he joins Amandla Steinberg and recent cast addition Jodi Smith-Turner on the series.
Next to “Andor,” “The Acolyte” may be the most intriguing “Star Wars” project on the way to Disney+. The show is a mystery-thriller during the final days of the High Republic era, a period rarely depicted in “Star Wars” films/series. In fact, the show’s title refers to individuals with force abilities who learn from more experienced Sith lords. So, expect the show to focus on the dark side’s slow emergence from the shadows in an otherwise halcyon time.
“The Acolyte” is “Russian Doll” co-creator Leslye Headland‘s pet project. She serves as showrunner, head writer, director, and executive producer on the series. She’s also working closely with Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy on casting choices, with Lee and Smith-Turner being her most recent additions. If “The Acolyte” ends up anything like “Russian Doll,” expect a twisty-turny, borderline macabre “Star Wars” tale; a welcome change after how safe recent “Star Wars” Disney+ series have been.
Even so, “The Acolyte” arrives on Disney+ after the likes of “Andor” Season One, “The Mandalorian” Season 3, “Ahsoka,” and most likely, “Skeleton Crew.” So, there’s a lot more “Star Wars” content on the way, but thanks to the addition of Lee Jung-Jae, “The Acolyte” looks to be the most exciting of the lot.