3 Important Star Wars Details You Missed In The Acolyte Trailer

Most of the characters we meet in the “Acolyte” trailer are new, even for longtime fans of the High Republic stories. The show takes place toward the end of the era, setting it closer to “The Phantom Menace” and the return of the Sith than the pre-existing novels and comics. However, there are some familiar faces in the trailer as well — namely, Jedi Master Vernestra Rwoh.

An incredibly talented Jedi and Force-user, Vernestra is first introduced as an apprentice but quickly becomes a Jedi Knight at the age of 15. Her skills and experience put her in the middle of the Republic’s conflict with the Nihil, a pirate faction of sorts that gains significant strength and influence. Throughout the High Republic books, Vernestra is involved in some of the biggest events in the story, including the destruction of the Starlight Beacon. She also has a unique, modified purple lightsaber that can transform into a less rigid weapon called a lightwhip. It should be exciting to see what this older version of Vernestra gets up to in “The Acolyte.”

The trailer also shows a Wookiee Jedi named Kelnacca. While he himself is new, the actor who plays him is a “Star Wars” veteran. Joonas Suotamo took over for original Chewbacca actor Peter Mayhew starting with the sequel trilogy, playing the character in “The Last Jedi,” “The Rise of Skywalker,” and “Solo: A Star Wars Story.” It’s good to have a Wookiee veteran on board to bring this new Jedi Master to life.