Disney+ has found the male lead role for the upcoming Star Wars series, The Acolyte, in Emmy-nominated actor and global superstar Lee Jung-jae.
Lee’s new project will be his first one with a major American studio, following his breakout role in the worldwide phenomenon Squid Game. His involvement in the Star Wars series is much anticipated after the Netflix series broke several records and received awards across the globe.
While many casting details remain unknown, the Lucasfilm-led project has confirmed that Lee will star across The Hate U Give actor Amandla Stenberg as the female lead. Jodie Turner-Smith will also be part of the highly anticipated show and Russian Doll co-creator Leslye Headland is showrunning the series.
Although Disney+ has kept mum on the specifics, Hypebeast reveals that The Acolyte will take place “in the final days of the High Republic, when the Sith were believed to have been exterminated and the Jedi were operating at their strongest.”
According to Variety, the series is set a century before the events of Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace, making the project the farthest back in time that any live-action Star Wars project has taken place.
On Monday, Lee will have the opportunity to make history at the Primetime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series category as the first Asian actor to win the award.
The Acolyte will premiere in August 2023.
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