Warning! This post contains spoilers for Star Wars: The Acolyte.
Summary
A training video forStar Wars: The Acolyterevealed behind-the-scenes footage of Qimir/the Stranger actor Manny Jacinto practicing for the incredible lightsaber battles seen inStar Wars’newest TV show. Jacinto was first introduced as Mae’s accomplice, butThe Acolyteepisode 5revealed that he was in fact the masked figure presumed to be a Sith Lord. While this twist was exciting enough, the episode was also jam-packed with some of the most brilliant lightsaber battles in allStar Warsmovies and TV shows, and the scenes prominently featured Jacinto’s incredible lightsaber skills.
Posted byComicBookon X, the video demonstrates how extensive Manny Jacinto’s training was for his role as Qimir/the Stranger inThe Acolyteand the impressive level of skill he achieved. Delightfully, the video is also highly reminiscent of the behind-the-scenes footage from theStar Warsprequel trilogy showcasing Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen training in a very similar fashion.
This skill set becomes even more impressive in light of how heavily Jacinto had to keep his training under wraps—in fact, Jacinto has since spoken about how difficult it was to maintain the lies required to be part ofThe Acolyte.
The Acolyte Episode 5’s Sith Reveal Threatens To Break Star Wars Canon
The reveal of the mysterious Sith Lord in The Acolyte episode 5 has the potential to break Star Wars canon, and it’s unclear how they’ll fix it.
For Two Years, Manny Jacinto Claimed He Never Wielded A Lightsaber
Manny Jacinto certainly isn’t the firstStar Warsactor to share how stressful it was to keep secrets regarding his role, but he did reveal in an interview withEntertainment Weeklythat it was a difficult two years as he worked to conceal his part inThe Acolyte. Jacinto explained:
“I’ve been lying to people for the last two years — to their faces…Some of them, they straight up call me out and they’re like, ‘I don’t trust what you’re saying.’ Some of them believe me. But I’ve been lying, and it gives me a lot of anxiety, having to lie to people.”
In Jacinto’s case, this was even more taxing, ashis character’s true identity was a major plot twist. It wasn’t untilThe Acolyteepisode 5 that the show revealed that Jacinto’s quirky character, Qimir, is really the masked figure presumed to be a Sith Lord.
Jacinto’s quirky character, Qimir, is really the masked figure presumed to be a Sith Lord.
Star Warsis known for its massive plot twists, so Jacinto’s experience is not an anomaly, but it’s clear that the actor is now breathing a sigh of relief with episode 5 revealing so much more about his character. However, it’s evident that not all the secrets are out yet. Indeed, while the Stranger is positioned asStar Wars’newest Sith Lord, there’s a fair bit of evidencehe may not be a true Sith after all. There’s still plenty left forThe Acolyteto uncover about the Stranger, his origins, and his fate.
Notably, audiences are particularly curious to see howStar Warsexplains the Stranger’s existence without a retcon, given that the Jedi in the prequel trilogy said the Sith were extinct for a millennium. AsThe Acolyteis set 100 years before the prequels intheStar Warstimeline, this will certainly require some explanation. For now, though, the revelation that Manny Jacinto’s character is so much more than Mae’s accomplice has thankfully brought to light incredible videos such as thisStar Wars: The Acolytetraining video, showcasing Jacinto’s impressive skills.
New episodes of The Acolyte release on Tuesdays at 9 PM EST/6 PM PST on Disney+.
The Acolyte
Cast
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.
