In the latest issue of Total Film Magazine, cast members and series creator Leslye Headland provided more details about the upcoming show The Acolyte. Fans of the High Republic era will be thrilled to hear that Vernestra Rwoh’s iconic lightwhip will be making its debut in live-action. Leslye Headland aims to honor much of what’s come before and will pull from unexpected sources.
Vernestra Rwoh is a fan-favorite character in the High Republic books and comics. She became one of the youngest Jedi Knights of her time and wields a unique lightsaber, a lightwhip. Rebecca Henderson will portray the character in The Acolyte, but this version is not the same as the one seen before. Henderson explains this is a much older individual, though her lightwhip will still be with her.
Series creator Leslye Headland also had some information to share. She states that she looked to George Lucas and the original trilogy as inspiration for crafting the show. But she also states there are a lot of other references and nods to all parts of the Star Wars saga, including the Expanded Universe. Headland also explained how The Acolyte is similar to a mystery story. She compares it to another of her previous works, Russian Doll, and explains how there’s more that’s constantly unveiled.
With The Acolyte premiering in June, fans can expect more information to come out regarding the show. Just recently, series star Amandla Stenberg also talked about how the show is similar to the prequels thematically. New images have also been released via Empire Magazine, showcasing more characters.
A recent TV spot for Disney+ Star Wars series The Acolyte offers a glimpse of Jedi Master Vernestra Rwoh’s lightsaber whip – or “lightwhip” – in action. So, how do lightwhips work, and is The Acolyte the first time one has appeared in the Star Wars canon?
Post-Disney era Star Wars canon is pretty clear when it comes to the sci-fi science behind lightwhips. As you’d expect, these weapons are essentially heavily modified lightsabers. Whereas standard sabers’ containment fields are rigid so that their plasma beam takes on a sword-like shape, lightwhips’ containment fields are flexible, transforming the plasma into a lash. Creating a flexible containment field means installing multiple emitters in a lightwhip’s hilt (unlike lightsabers, which have a single emitter). The result is a weapon with improved range that can wrap around opponents.
Lightwhips have their drawbacks, though. They’re much harder to use and even pose a risk to the wielder. This is especially true of lightwhips with multiple tendrils – even with the Force as their ally, the average Jedi would be hard-pressed to keep track of them all! Lightwhips’ flexible “blades” also reduce their cutting capabilities, making them far less effective at slicing and dicing than lightsabers. These shortcomings explain why few Jedi bothered with them, even during The Acolyte‘s High Republic setting. That said, Vernestra Rwoh gets around these problems by converting her lightwhip into a lightsaber by twisting its hilt.
Vernestra Rwoh’s lightwhip showing up in The Acolyte is a first for a live-action Star Wars production. But what about the wider franchise canon – did lightwhips debut there, first? Yes, and very early on, too. Darth Vader’s one-time disciple Lumiya attacked Luke Skywalker with a lightwhip in 1985’s Star Wars #95. Later comic book series – including Jedi vs. Sith and the second volume of Star Wars: Legacy – likewise featured the weapon. Lightwhips also appeared (or were referenced) in several novels and video games that pre-date The Acolyte, as well.
Of course, the above lightwhip-centric material all falls under the Star Wars Legends banner. In short: since Disney acquired the franchise, none of it counts anymore. Yet The Acolyte can’t lay claim to reintroducing lightwhips to post-Disney canon. Instead, that honor goes to 2021 middle grade novel Star Wars – The High Republic: A Test of Courage. Here, we see the recently promoted Vernestra Rwoh modify her lightsaber into a lightwhip and take it for a spin. Subsequent High Republic books and comics have also featured Vern’s lightwhip.
The Acolyte premieres on Disney+ on June 4, 2024.
Source: Total Film Magazine, Empire Magazine
