Loki director Kate Herron was reportedly tapped to direct the upcoming Disney+ Star Wars series The Acolyte.
Sources close to the production claim that Lucasfilm approached Herron about helming the highly-anticipated show in late 2021, reports The Bespin Bulletin. These insiders aren't clear on whether the director ultimately signed on for the project, although some believe that she did. There's also some uncertainty around whether Herron will call the shots on every episode of The Acolyte or share that responsibility with others if she is indeed attached to the production.
The Acolyte is set during the High Republic Era, over 100 years before the events of the Star Wars movies. Showrunner Leslye Headland recently discussed how this setting affects the show's aesthetic, which will reflect an interesting quirk of the saga's overall design philosophy. "The further you go back [in the Star Wars universe], the better things are. 'A long time ago' actually becomes more futuristic. So while we are creating this type of world, we're trying to carry [Star Wars creator] George [Lucas'] concept that the further you go back, the more exciting and new and sleek and interesting things look," she said.
The Acolyte Fills In Some of Star Wars History's Biggest Gaps
Headland previously discussed how the continuity of the Star Wars movies influenced The Acolyte's story, as well, citing The Phantom Menace as a narrative jumping-off point for the show. According to the showrunner, the Disney+ series will fill in the gaps leading up to that moment in the saga's history. "My question when watching The Phantom Menace was always like, 'Well, how did things get to this point?" she said. "How did we get to a point where a Sith Lord can infiltrate the Senate and none of the Jedi pick up on it? Like, what went wrong? What are the scenarios that led us to this moment?'"
Lucasfilm President Kathleen has also confirmed that The Acolyte will draw from the Expanded Universe, owing to Headland's status as a Star Wars super fan. "What's wonderful about Leslye is she knows it all. I mean, she's read a gazillion books inside the EU," Kennedy said. "There are little bits and pieces that she's drawing from that no one has explored yet in onscreen storytelling." Much of the existing Star Wars EU material was wiped from the franchise's official canon after Lucasfilm was acquired by Disney in 2012, however, some characters, concepts and worlds have been reinstated since then.
The Acolyte does not yet have a release date.
Source: Bespin Bulletin