Summary
Leslye Headland, the showrunner forThe Acolyte, recently confirmed that the new unnamed planet introduced in theStar Warsshow was not Ahch-To.The Acolytehas introduced several new planets, but its newest bore quite a few similarities toAhch-To, the site of the first Jedi temple, which was introduced in theStar Warssequel trilogy and heavily featured inStar Wars: The Last Jedi.The Acolyteepisode 6 intensified its similarities to the sequel trilogy, and specificallyThe Last Jedi, in several ways. It drew parallels between Osha Aniseya and Rey Skywalker, and betweenQimir and Kylo Ren, but its biggest connection was just debunked.
While speaking withCollider, Headland explained that despite the similarities to Ahch-To, the Stranger chose a different planet to house his base.
It’s not Ahch-To. I know it’s similar, and it was intentionally supposed to be similar in terms of terrain and feeling isolated and surrounded by water and less lush green and more rocky. But the idea is that cortosis is mined on this planet, so I don’t think that’s the case with Ahch-To. Part of the reason this is his home base is that cortosis is a very rare metal. I don’t think we say it explicitly in the show, but that’s a reason it’s not Ahch-To.
ThoughThe Acolyte’s new planet isn’t Ahch-To, it is notable that Headland mentioned the similarities were intentional.Since Ahch-To was the birthplace of the Jedi Order, it’s possible thatThe Acolyteis suggesting this unknown planet was the birthplace of the Sith. That would fit withThe Acolyte’s focus on duality and the idea that the Sith were a mirror image of the Jedi. While the similarities are evident and interesting, they don’t actually identify what planet Qimir and Osha were on. Luckily, the nownon-canonStar WarsLegendsmay have the answer.
Star Wars: The Acolyte Episode Guide - Cast Members, Biggest Takeaways & Easter Eggs
Here’s everything you need to follow along with Star Wars: The Acolyte, from references and trivia to main takeaways from each new episode.
Could This Planet Be Bal’demnic From Star Wars Legends?
Leslye Headland has drawn onStar WarsLegends at several points over the course ofThe Acolyte. Various parts of the show, from the Tynnan Bazil to cortosis ore, originated in the Expanded Universe. Her love of Legends means it’s possible Headland drew even more inspiration, and possibly even an entire planet.If she did, the unknown planet inThe Acolyteepisode 6 could be Bal’demnic, a planet that had the same rocky geography and large oceans as Ahch-To. Bal’demnic fits the visual description ofThe Acolyte’s unknown planet, but there are two key factors below the surface that make it a likely candidate.
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In Legends, Bal’demnic was a major exporter of cortosis ore, the same material that the Stranger used to short out the Jedi’s lightsabers with his helmet and gauntlet.The Acolyteshowed that the unknown planet had a vein of cortosis in the cave Qimir used as his base, which is a major hint that he was on Bal’demnic. Additionally, Bal’demnic rose to galactic prominence after Darth Tenebrous and Darth Plagueis learned of its cortosis deposits. That may be a hint thatThe Acolytejust introduced Bal’demnic to canon, as it would give the show a way to introduce another Sith Lord, potentially even Qimir’s master.
Headland has an exceptional ability to dive into the deepest corners of Star Wars lore, find something interesting, and introduce it to a new generation of fans.
It looks increasingly likeThe Acolytehas just introduced Bal’demnic toStar Warscanon, especially now that Ahch-To can be definitively ruled out. If the unknown planet does prove to be Bal’demnic, it would be yet another example of Leslye Headland’s talent for using the history of the franchise to fuel its future. Headland has an exceptional ability to dive into the deepest corners ofStar Warslore, find something interesting, and introduce it to a new generation of fans.Star WarsLegends may no longer be canon, but thanks to Leslye Headland andThe Acolyte, it’s more important than ever.
The Acolyte
The Acolyte is a television series set in the Star Wars universe at the end of the High Republic Era, where both the Jedi and the Galactic Empire were at the height of their influence. This sci-fi thriller sees a former Padawan reunite with her former Jedi Master as they investigate several crimes - all leading to darkness erupting from beneath the surface and preparing to bring about the end of the High Republic.
