Summary
A new behind-the-scenes video showcases the remarkable fight choreography inThe Acolyte. Set at the end of the High Republic era, around 100 years beforeThe Phantom Menace, and featuring a cast of almost entirely new characters, theupcomingStar Warsseriesis already significantly distinguishing itself from the franchise’s other live-action stories. Another noticeable distinction are the ways the characters fight and use the Force.
The behind-the-scenes video fromStar Warsoffers the best look yet at this fight choreography, along with explanations of how it was brought to life. Check out the video below:
Showrunner Leslye Headland explains,“It was very important to me that the show feel visceral and that the fight sequences feel jaw-dropping.“The stunt coordinator shares that this was made possible by taking"heavy martial arts, the hand-to-hand combat, all the different styles, and mixed them together to build these sequences.“2nd unit director Chris Cowen added,“We used taekwondo, krav maga, western boxing.”
It’s Gotten Close, But The Acolyte Takes It To A New Level
Martial arts have influencedStar Warssince the original film in 1977, with George Lucas wanting the lightsaber duel between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader to incorporate elements of Japanese fighting styles, specifically kendo. As the franchise continued to expand, martial arts continued to be an influence, most prominently inRogue One: A Star Wars Storythrough Chirrut Îmwe. He did not wield a lightsaber, instead fighting with an uneti-wood staff and practicing zama-shiwo, a martial art native to the moon of Jedha.
While martial arts has long been present in the franchise, it has never been at the forefront in the way it will be inThe Acolyte. Instead of being an influence or something one character uses,martial arts is seemingly part of how every Jedi and Force-sensitive character fights inThe Acolyte. Seamlessly incorporating various martial art styles achieves the"visceral"and"jaw-dropping"fight sequences that Headland envisioned. It is also a clever way of visually communicating the similarities and differences between the Jedi Order ofthe High Republicand the Jedi Order of the prequel era.
The Phantom Menaceand the other prequels utilized highly choreographed and fast-paced lightsaber duels, including Darth Maul’s “Duel of the Fates” showdown against Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan.The Acolytebuilds on this with its own stylized choreography and fast pace thatprecedes the prequels in theStar Warstimeline. TheHigh Republicbooks and comics show how deeply the Jedi are in tune with the Force, which can be visually translated through the fluid way they use martial arts to use the Force and engage in combat, all of whichmakesThe Acolyteone of the most excitingStar Warsprojects yet.
The Acolytereleases its first two episodes on June 4 on Disney+.
The Acolyte
Cast
The Acolyte is a television series set in the Star Wars universe at the end of the High Republic Era, where both the Jedi and the Galactic Empire were at the height of their influence. This sci-fi thriller sees a former Padawan reunite with her former Jedi Master as they investigate several crimes - all leading to darkness erupting from beneath the surface and preparing to bring about the end of the High Republic.
