Star Wars: The Acolyte Casts The Good Place Star
Manny Jacinto of The Good Place has just been cast in the upcoming Star Wars series The Acolyte.
A new actor has joined the cast for an upcoming Star Wars show. According to Deadline, Manny Jacinto is coming onboard the new Star Wars series The Acolyte. The casting comes just a couple of weeks after it was reported that Squid Game star Lee Jung-jae would also be joining the cast.
A few weeks ago, it was reported that a potential leak from Star Wars: The Acolyte may’ve revealed that fan-favorite villain Darth Palgueis would be making his live-action debut in the show. While nothing has yet to be confirmed, perhaps Jacinto could end up playing the character that has long been wished to appear in live action by fans of the expanding universe. Senator Palpatine mentioned the character in the prequels during a conversation with Anakin Skywalker.
In July, fans discovered that actress Amandla Stenberg would act as the series lead. Not much is known regarding Star Wars: The Acolyte, other than it would reportedly focus on the dark side of the Force. A rumor suggested that production for the new series would start in October.
When announcing the project in December 2020, the creators behind Star Wars: The Acolyte mentioned the series would also explore the final days of the High Republic era. In the expanding Star Wars universe, “acolyte” refers to individuals with Force abilities whom an experienced Sith Lord teaches. If the series does explore the dark side of The Force, it could potentially bring in many of the expanding universe characters, such as Darth Palgueis.
We reported last year that the series’ main character would work for the Sith. Star Wars: The Acolyte creator Leslye Headland has spoken about her writing process for the series without giving too much away. Disney and Lucasfilm may want to keep details regarding the plot and characters hidden until it gets closer to its Disney+ premiere date.
As for Manny Jacinto, the actor previously worked on The Good Place and was recently seen in the box office smash hit Top Gun: Maverick. The actor also appeared in director Drew Goddard’s 2018 neo-noir thriller Bad Times at the El Royale. Details regarding Jacinto’s character in Star Wars: The Acolyte has yet to be revealed.
Star Wars: The Acolyte could hugely affect the direction of other Star Wars Disney+ series. Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy revealed that the studio plans on exploring more of the High Republic era if the series becomes a success. It’s a period that many outside of the Star Wars fandom have yet to see onscreen.
The casting of Manny Jacinto is a sign that the project is now entirely moving forward. Not that long ago, reports suggested that cameras would start rolling on Star Wars: The Acolyte in February 2022, but production was delayed. It seems that the series may be back on track after a rough few months, and production could start in October.
Star Wars: The Acolyte will follow Disney+ Star Wars series The Mandalorian. Only time will tell if The Acolyte manages to impress fans of the expanding universe as that has done.
