The release of newStar WarsseriesThe Acolyteis nearing, and anew promotional videoreleased on the Disney Plus Korea YouTube channel gives us a closer look at one of the series' Jedi Masters. The character Sol is portrayed byLee Jung-jae, who audience members will recognize from the global phenomenonSquid Game.The Acolyte’s creatorLeslye Headlandknew the actor was the perfect choice for the Jedi Master.
The actor’s work inSquid Gameis what brought him to Headland’s attention, leading to him being cast as Sol. Headland says:
“I was writing the character of Sol when ’Squid Game’ came out. I said, ‘That’s Sol.’ He just ran the gamut of every single emotion…JJ knows how to switch from being formidable and then switch to being heartbreaking. I don’t know many actors that can do that.”
Lee Jung-jae was also praised by his co-starAmandla Stenbergwho said, “Lee Jung-jae just shines so beautifully in this role, and he looks fantastic when he’s fighting. It’s really like dancing.”
A True Jedi Master
The two actors went through extensive training for their fight sequences, which you can take a look at in the promo video. Lee, who has “quite a lot of experience in sword fighting action sequences,” says that he quickly realized that “working with a lightsaber is a unique challenge. It was a necessity for the character who, as a Jedi Master, is extremely committed to protecting others, and Lee describes him as “a highly skilled fighter.”
There is great anticipation for the lightsaber sequences inThe Acolyteas series creators were aiming to topThe Phantom Menace. The film features the iconic Duel of the Fates battle between Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn, and the Sith apprentice Darth Maul. The lightsaber duel is considered by manyStar Warsfans to be the quintessential representation of the Jedi’s fighting abilities, making it an extremely high bar to strive for. It seems the actors have definitely put in the hard work to deliver impressive Jedi battles for fans.
We will all be able to see the skills of Lee Jung-jae, Amandla Stenberg, and the rest ofthe series' Jedi cast whenThe Acolytehas its two-episode premiere on Disney+ on June 4.
The Acolyte
The Acolyte is a mystery-thriller that will take viewers into a galaxy of shadowy secrets and emerging dark-side powers in the final days of the High Republic era. A former Padawan reunites with her Jedi Master to investigate a series of crimes, but the forces they confront are more sinister than they ever anticipated.
