New Star Wars prequel set 100 years before Phantom Menace

Star Wars fans are in for a treat with an upcoming Disney+ series set 100 years before The Phantom Menace. The Acolyte, will explore the history of the Jedi and the Sith factions, and more specifically, how Sith started to infiltrate the Republic and Jedi Order.

Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace, took place at a time when Sith were believed to be extinct, with the galaxy in relative peace. As the film progresses, we quickly learn that’s not the case, and the remaining Sith, Darth Sideous and Darth Maul were hiding right under the Jedi’s noses, plotting their downfall.

While there’s been extensive lore about how this infiltration came about, through books and comics mostly, it’s never been explained on the big screen, which will change with The Acolyte.

The story will follow a Jedi Padawan and her master, as they embark on a journey to investigate a series of crimes that have been taking place within the galaxy, eventually leading up to some form of confrontation with Sith, likely an apprentice and a master. The series will star Dafne Keen, who played Wolverine's daughter Laura in Logan, and Lyra Belacqua, best known from His Dark Materials. The pair will be playing the Jedi Padawan and master respectively.

While little is known about the plot, locations, and characters, it’s intriguing to say the least that this will take The Phantom Menace’s place as the big screen Star Wars adventure in the timeline. Leslye Headland, showrunner for The Acolyte, recently spoke in an interview about what her take on the Star Wars universe will entail and described the series as “Kill Bill meets Frozen,” a surprise to be sure, but a welcome one, as it does sound interesting.

The Acolyte will be hitting Disney+ in 2024, so we can expect a trailer to drop in late 2023, featuring more details and possibly a few easter eggs and cameos.