Out of all the recently announced Star Wars series coming to Disney+, Star Wars: The Acolyte is perhaps the most mysterious and the most intriguing. Unlike any recent series or movies, it will focus on a time period in the Star Wars franchise that has never been featured in a live-action setting and offers a lot of opportunity for unique storytelling far removed from the Skywalker saga and The Mandalorian.
The Acolyte refers to a term sometimes used for Sith apprentices, giving fans a clue as to the focus of the series. This will provide a chance for completely unknown characters to command the spotlight, possibly centered for the first time on individuals that follow the dark side of the Force. As usual, Reddit is abuzz with rumors about one of the most highly anticipated series to come.
Know: It Will Focus On The Dark Side Of The High Republic
Lucasfilm has already shared that the series will focus on the emergence of "dark side powers" in the waning days of the High Republic, approximately 100-200 years before the infamous Skywalker saga takes place.
The High Republic was a time of prosperity for the Jedi Knights, who peacefully protected the galaxy 800 years after the fall of the Old Republic, during with the Republic engaged in battles with the formidable Sith Empire.
Theory: It Could Focus On Sith Lore
Given that the High Republic era was the time period when the Galactic Republic was at the height of its power, and Jedi were patrolling the galaxy in full force, the Sith were not considered an immediate threat as no Jedi knew of their whereabouts or existence.
That doesn't mean, however, as Reddit user LifeByTheSword suggests, that Sith lore couldn't be explored, especially the Rule of Two, as well as Sith worlds and Sith characters featured in other Star Wars paraphernalia.
Know: It Will Be Connected To The High Republic Comics
Disney has conveyed that the High Republic era will be brought to fans in a multi-media format, through series, comics, and novels, by which they will be able to form a homogeneous concept of the peak of Jedi prowess and influence in the galaxy.
Whereas the High Republic multi-media project will focus on the high point of the Jedi Order, The Acolyte will focus on its low point and waning years, paving the way for the nefarious plot developments in George Lucas's Prequel Trilogy.
Theory: It Could Feature Young Yoda
Given the time period of the series, not many Jedi from the Prequel Trilogy could be present, except for a certain long-lived Jedi Master; Yoda. Many fans have speculated that Yoda will make an appearance in the series, perhaps as an even sprier version of himself
Presenting Yoda in the series would ensure it tied in nicely to other aspects of not only the Skywalker saga, but the greater Star Wars franchise at large, such as Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures, and any other series that focused on the Jedi in Yoda's 900-year life span.
Know: It Will Feature A Female Protagonist
Leslye Headland has confirmed that the series will be "female-centric" and feature a female protagonist, but not deride or obfuscate male characters. She has said that as a woman, she's always associated with male characters she's invested in, but thinks the same can apply to a female lead and male fans.
Only two of the nine Star Wars series announced by Disney+ will have a female protagonist; The Acolyte and Star Wars: Ahsoka. The addition of female Sith would be welcomed by fans of Asajj Ventress and various Inquisitor characters.
Theory: It Could Feature Darth Plagueis
Many Star Wars fans have been curious about Darth Plagueis the Wise ever since his pupil, Darth Sidious opined about his dark side abilities to an impressionable Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. Several Reddit topics have been made pondering whether or not Plagueis will be seen in Acolyte, and if he'll train a new apprentice.
Given the series will feature a female protagonist it's difficult to say if there will be a place for Plagueis, but given the time period, it's possible he could train a female Sith apprentice prior to Palpatine (who may or may not even be born). If he's not seen then perhaps he'll be mentioned in passing to tie the series to the Prequel Trilogy.
Know: It Will Be Written By The Writer Of Russian Doll
Lesyle Headland, co-creator of the popular Russian Doll series on Netflix will spearhead The Acolyte, which she hopes will explore "new pockets of the universe" and introduce Star Wars fans to corners of the galaxy that they've otherwise never encountered in a live-action series before.
She also promises to incorporate plenty of "martial arts action", and if her writing for Russian Doll is any indication, it could also feature an irreverent, dark, and sophisticated humor as well.
Theory: It Could Be From The Sith POV
Most stories in the Star Wars canon have been from the perspective of the heroes, an unfortunate imbalance considering the franchise boasts some of the best villains in cinema history. Even The Mandalorian isn't focused on the chronicles of a purely evil bounty hunter, but instead the adventures of a stoic anti-hero.
Many fans have been hungry for a series to be shown completely from the point of view of the Sith, and as Reddit user LordofMoonsSpawn points out, there's enough fan interest in a series that doesn't have anything to do with the viewpoint of Jedi.
Know: Rayne Roberts Will Co-Create And Executive Produce
Joining Leslye Headland as co-creator and executive producer will be Rayne Roberts, who unlike Headland has a great deal of experience with the Star Wars brand as the current Vice President of Film Development at Lucasfilm.
She's been involved in all of the Star Wars projects since Disney purchased Lucasfilm in 2014, including the Sequel Trilogy, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and Star Wars Rebels. Along with The Acolyte, Rayne is going to still be developing further Star Wars movies for Disney, though their release date is not set.
Theory: It Could Show Mandalorians
Given the time period of the series, it could choose to showcase some of the Mandalorians scattered as pirates and warlords across the galaxy. Before the Purge of Mandalore by the Empire as detailed in The Mandalorian, their way of life would be much different (though their armor would be similar).
Reddit user Metallicuck posits that it would be possible to see interactions between Sith and Mandalorians, especially given both groups' aversion to Jedi. Dealings between them were highlighted in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels, but thus far never in a live-action setting.