Summary
- The upcoming live-action series, The Acolyte, will feature a Wookiee Jedi character inspired by Solo, offering a distinct look and unique character design.
- Showrunner Leslye Headland pushed for the inclusion of a Wookiee Jedi in the show, despite initial doubts, and Star Wars special effects artist Neal Scanlan embraced the concept.
- Joonas Suotamo, who plays Chewbacca, portrays the Wookiee Jedi named Kelnacca and expressed his excitement to play a character who can wield the Force, bringing a new energy to the role.
The upcoming live-action series, The Acolyte, is making Star Wars history by featuring a Wookiee Jedi character partially inspired by Solo.
In an interview that took place before the WGA strike, Leslye Headland, showrunner, told EW, "Obviously, they do have a Wookiee Jedi in the High Republic. And we thought it would be cool to do our own version of that. He has a very different character design. But the recent High Republic novels were not the only inspiration for Headland."
Headland revealed her inspiration for the character, saying, "Honestly, I really loved Solo and I loved Joonas' performance in it. And as I was watching him, I was like, 'Gosh, it would be really cool to see him be a Jedi — to actually, do some action work and some fighting and not just the sidekick role.'"
The Acolyte Offers A Distinct Look for the Wookiee Jedi
Headland faced challenges in bringing a Wookiee Jedi to The Acolyte but persisted in pitching the idea. She admitted, "I didn't think they would let me do it, but I kept pushing." Her efforts paid off when Star Wars special effects artist Neal Scanlan embraced the concept. Headland's vision for the character also involved a distinct appearance, as she explained, "I loved the idea of a Wookiee with shaved sides of his head."
Played by Joonas Suotamo, this addition named Kelnacca brings the strength of the Wookiees and their connection to the Force to the forefront. Suotamo, known for his portrayal of Chewbacca, expressed how playing a character who can use the Force is a dream come true. He said, "He brings his own his own energy and he is taught in the ways of the Force, which has been a dream of mine ever since I was a kid. To get to play a character that can wield the Force is beyond any of my dreams."
He also added, "I'm really happy for everyone to get to know [Kelnacca] because I purposely tried to differentiate him from Chewbacca. Being a Jedi, there's more to that. And that was the challenge. It entailed all the training and getting ready with my castmates. We had such a fun time preparing for these roles, and there was a lot of time to think how to approach each situation and moment."
Contrary to some expectations, the Wookiee Jedi in The Acolyte is not the character Burryaga from the recent High Republic novels. Instead, the series introduces a new Wookiee Jedi named Kelnacca, further expanding the Star Wars universe. This decision opens doors for fresh storytelling within the High Republic era.