Leslye Headland, the showrunner and screenwriter ofStar Wars: The Acolyte, has revealed that a never-before-seen lightsaber model will debut in the series. This brings the number of unique lightsabers appearing inThe Acolyteup to three, and I shouldn’t need to explain why that’s exciting.
In an interview with Rotten Tomatoes, Headland said thatThe Acoyltewill introduceStar Warsfans to a new variety of lightsaber that has allegedly never appeared in any other form ofStar Warsmedia. For those who might not know,The Acoylteis set during the waning days of the High Republic, around fifty to one hundred years before the events ofStar Wars: Episode I—ThePhantom Menace.
Exclusive: A new lightsaber is coming to Star Wars.Leslye Headland reveals that in addition to the lightwhip,#TheAcolytewill feature an original lightsaber specially crafted for the series.pic.twitter.com/jIGKUFSiqC
Many books and comicshave explored the age of the High Republic, but the era has yet to appear in live-action, so it makes sense that Headwood would want to ensure that the High Republic makes a strong impression on the audience. Whatever this new lightsaber is, it’s not the only example ofThe Acolytepushing the boundaries of what a lightsaber is.
Headwood has been very outspoken about being heavily influenced by the Star Wars Expanded Universe,particularly theStar Warstabletop role-playing game. In aninterview with Vanity Fair in 2022, Headwood enthusiastically cited theStar WarsTTRPG, whichintroduced concepts and planets that would become essential elements of theStar Warscanon, as her entry point to theStar Warsfranchise. Anyone familiar with that game and what it inspired can recognize its influence onThe Acolytejust by watching the trailers.
The Acolyte’s bringing back Legends’ deadly lightwhip
Alongside this mysterious new lightsaber,The Acoyltewill make the live-action debut of the lightwhip, the flagellated lightsaber variant wielded by Jedi Knight Vernestra Rwoh. This unusually flexible lightsaber also debuted in the original, pre-2014 E.U., akaLegends,as the signature weapon of Lumiya, a Sith Lord who played a significant role in the downfall of Han and Leia Organa-Solo’s son Jacen.
I grew up reading the original E.U. novels featuring Lumiya, so it’s hard to express how excited I am to see the lightwhip make its live-action debut. However, I’m also quite curious about this new lightsaber, a weapon that is allegedly so unorthodox thatThe Acolyte‘s props department initially pushed back against it. Whatever it is, it will create quite a disturbance in the Force.
The Acotlye‘s first two episodeswill premiere on Disney+ on June 4 at 9:00 p.m. EST.If we’re lucky, this new lightsaber will be unveiled sooner than later.
