The Acolyte is unquestionably the most fascinating Star Wars project still in production. While the rest of the franchise sticks to a handful of guaranteed marketable characters, Leslye Headland prepares to take the audience to the distant past they’ve never explored on-screen. Disney has revealed little about the series, but one returning named character sits among the current cast list. Vernestra Rwoh will make her debut, thrilling a small but dedicated fanbase.
Many fans will swear that the best Star Wars stories are only available in print. Countless novels were decanonized by Disney when the studio acquired the brand in 2014. Even ignoring the endless depths of Extended Universe material, modern books still tell fun side stories from all corners of the galaxy. Authors are willing to experiment beyond the risk-averse IP-holders on the cinematic side. Acolyte represents some possibility of seeing such creativity on the screen.
Who is Vernestra Rwoh?
Vernestra Rwoh is a Jedi prodigy who became the youngest Knight in the Order at age fifteen. Vernestra and her “family group” are Mirialan, green-skinned, purple-haired humanoids. Members of her bloodline accessorize with six diamond-shaped marks on the outside corner of their eyes. Her family celebrated her Force sensitivity and sent her to Coruscant to learn the ways of the Jedi. After graduating from her training, she left Coruscant to become Jedi Master Stellan Gios’ Padawan. In their first meeting, Rwoh defeated Gios in a sparring match with a stunning display of Force mastery. On their first mission together, Rwoh uncovered an assassination attempt and stopped the resulting conflict, prompting Gios to ask her to teach him. Despite her innate talent, she was always slightly intimidated by Gios, a stern educator. His guidance and her skills allowed her to become a Jedi Knight at fifteen.
Rwoh’s might beyond her years didn’t end with her Knighthood. She created a traditional lightsaber like every other Padawan but wasn’t happy with a single blade. After seeing an unprecedented modification in a dream, she found a way to use her weapon as a lightsaber and a lightwhip. The glowing blade extends and loses rigidity, making it a more versatile armament. Rwoh took a Padawan only a year after becoming a Knight. She met young Imri Cantaros on her first quest, saved his life, and started training him after his master died. Rwoh’s fateful first mission saw her and her new friends stranded on a jungle planet while fighting pirates. She continued struggling against the Nihil pirates for most of her life. After the loss of the Starlight Beacon and the tragic death of her Padawan, Rwoh left the Jedi Order. She found a new life as a Wayseeker Jedi, following the guidance of the Force without the Jedi Order’s rules.
Where did Vernestra Rwoh first appear?
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The High Republic: A Test of Courage |
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Writer |
Justina Ireland |
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Release Date |
January 5, 2021 |
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Publisher |
Disney Lucasfilm Press |
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Pages |
240 |
Does Vernestra Rwoh come across a bit like she was designed to appeal to pre-teens? She was created for the Middle-grade book series The High Republic. Her comically immense power and skill make more sense when considered in the context of YA fiction. The High Republic is a multimedia project depicting the events of the titular era long before the events of the original trilogy. The brand began in 2018 and has volumes scheduled to premiere late next year. Rwoh’s on-screen debut in The Acolyte will mark the series’ first break onto the screen.
Who will play Vernestra Rwoh in The Acolyte?
Rebeca Henderson will portray Vernestra Rwoh in The Acolyte. Henderson cut her teeth on independent and low-budget film projects like Meskada and Compliance. She broke through in TV roles, establishing recurring parts on shows like Manhunt and Westworld. Henderson married Acolyte creator Leslye Headland in 2016 and worked with her previously in Russian Doll, where she portrayed Lizzy. She played Olivia in Freeform’s Single Drunk Female. She recently appeared as ADA Catherine McCaw in Shonda Rhimes’ Inventing Anna. Henderson also voiced two characters in Grand Theft Auto IV and V. Nothing is known about Rwoh’s role in the show, but the character’s Jedi prodigy status could play a significant role in a Sith-focused story.
Vernestra Rwoh could open the door for countless characters from the High Republic multimedia project to enter the mainline entries. Tons of young readers may have discovered a newfound love of Star Wars through this ongoing series of books. Including their favorite characters and storylines in the shows and movies might draw a new audience. Star Wars would benefit immensely from summoning new fans, escaping the never-ending trap of trying to please longstanding devotees. Vernestra Rwoh could become a fan favorite, leaping from a minor outing to the major leagues just as she leaped from Padawan to Jedi Knight.
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