Lead of the upcoming Star Wars series The Acolyte, Amandla Stenberg, reveals how Lucasfilm had her in mind for the role. Coming to Disney+, the series is set about 100 years before the events of The Phantom Menace, towards the end of the High Republic era, and will explore the shadowy secrets and emerging dark-side powers of that time. Leslie Headland, known for co-creating, executive producing, and being a director for Neflix's Russian Doll is set to write, executive produce, and serve as the showrunner for The Acolyte.

Last month, Stenberg was confirmed to star in The Acolyte, having been rumored to be cast in the series ever since December of last year. After making their acting debut in the French English-language action thriller Colombiana, Stenberg had their breakthrough playing Rue in The Hunger Games film. Other notable films they have since been in include the drama film The Hate U Give, the coming-of-age musical film Dear Evan Hansen, and the black comedy slasher film Bodies, Bodies, Bodies, which was recently released. Lucasfilm has apparently been keeping an eye on Stenberg's blossoming career as she accumulates various credits.

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Now, via an interview with The Face, Stenberg has had the chance to expand upon their initial excitement about securing the lead role in The Acolyte, detailing how the casting came about. They explain how Lucasfilm approached them with the project about nine months ago, saying it was fully conceptualized with them in mind, amazing them. Read Stenberg's full quote below:

"The Lucasfilm team came to me with this project which was fully conceptualized with me in mind, and I was astounded. I get to read, watch and breathe Star Wars. It’s my job to get lost in it, I’m so lucky. My plans were interrupted by a very different life path, but one that I think is going to be a huge blessing."

Bodies Bodies Bodies star Amandla Stenberg

Stenberg further told the publication that they've already started kung-fu lessons as part of their training for the role, as well as set plans to move to the UK, where the series will be shot. Given their clear passion for Star Wars, it's no surprise that Stenberg would take the preparation for the series very seriously and want to dive in as soon as possible. Additionally, with being such a fan of the franchise, one can assume that it must have been a dream come true for Stenberg to be approached by none other than Lucasfilm themselves, asking them to not just join in on one of their projects, but to star in a series created with them specifically in mind as lead, before even signing on.

There's little other details about The Acolyte at this time, including the series' release date. It will be interesting to see how The Acolyte develops over time and when more information becomes available. With three Star Wars TV shows confirmed to release in 2023, it might be some time before The Acolyte takes center stage. But no matter what exactly the series entails, it can certainly be said that the Lucasfilm has full faith in Stenberg leading the project. And based on their passion, Stenberg will be bringing their A game, making for what is likely to be a truly stunning Star Wars series.

Source: The Face