#leslye headland

[david-talks-sw]

I got a good feeling about "The Acolyte"

Not even kidding. Like, I've spoken before about why I'm wary of it.

George Lucas' Star Wars is something that intentionally has black and white morality, rather than shades of gray. Those movies are meant for kids and projecting a "gray" morality onto them then proclaiming it was George's vision all along is doing so in bad faith.

The narrative of the Prequels doesn't frame the Prequel Jedi in as negative a light as Leslye Headland, Dave Filoni, etc etc do.

See here for more details, but bottom line: yeah, a show that has a darksider as the underdog is bound to demonize the Jedi (who are the actual underdogs in the Prequels), and obviously that rubs me the wrong way.

BUT.

The trailer looks fucking cool. It really really does.

And more importantly? I've done some research... and Leslye Headland is ticking a lot of good boxes, in my book.

1. The Acolyte won't be a 10-hour movie.

I've criticized Disney Plus shows before, explaining that a big source for most of their issues is that these series are being structured as "long movies" rather than, y'know, actual shows.

But in this interview with Collider, Headland addresses that: it'll be a series. Not a long movie that you need to watch across four weeks.

Thank God. You have no idea how much that comforts me. Finally a showrunner who's, y'know, actually running a show.

And this goes hand in hand with what she told IGN, here, about how she's going about building suspense.

Yes! Exactly! That's how it's supposed to be!

Like, compare this to Baylan Skoll's storyline in Ahsoka.

In no possible way was that emotionally-fulfilling. For 8 episodes we had no idea what he was after, and the season ended where we still don't know. What does he want? What is he after? Your guess is as good as mine, it's something Mortis-related.

So yeah. Maybe getting the Emmy-nominated trained screenwriter on board to run this was a good idea.

2. Maybe the Jedi will not be as demonized as I originally thought.

Don't get me wrong. 80% of what she says about the Jedi makes me cringe. It's the typical fan's interpretation and y'all know I disagree with that interpretation.

It's painful to see her refer to the Jedi as an institution (not how the Prequels' narrative frames them) and to see her frame "Balance" in the "oh there's so many of them and just two Sith, that means the Force is out of balance" meaning... but at least she acknowledges the Jedi are a benevolent institution.

They're not an "elitist force hiding in their ivory tower" as others have described the Jedi.

Moreover, there'll be a variety of Jedi POVs, many personalities.

Yord Fandar, is described as a strictly by-the-book Jedi Knight and guardian from the Jedi Temple, is an overachiever and a rule follower.

The question now becomes: will the narrative frame him as "your typical Jedi" or is it just this one guy? I'm hoping it's the latter.

I also like how her reasoning goes re: Jedi drawing their lightsabers.

Which explains the hand-to-hand combat seen in the trailer.

This teenager is coming at Carrie-Ann Moss with a dagger, of course the Jedi won't draw her saber.

3. She's a fan of Star Wars... but a screenwriter first.

You can tell in the interviews she's a fan. She's using words like "BBY" and "EU" casually. In the above-linked interviews she's bringing up the Nightsisters, Timothy Zahn, The Clone Wars, she mentions she has a tattoo of Ralph McQuarrie's concept art of Leia, the High Republic books, etc.

She's done her homework. She's a fan.

But the vibe I'm getting from these interviews is that she's weaving in these various lore-elements in a more organic way, rather than in the "fan-servicey" way Dave Filoni has been doing in his shows.

The references and Easter Eggs will be there, but the narrative won't bend over itself just so you can get it. Crafting a good story comes first, and Andor is a beautiful illustration of why this is true.

Which is why I was never bothered about one of the writers never having watched Star Wars before getting the job. You need those fresh eyes when you're tackling something of this scale.

That makes sense to me. Maybe it's because of my own screenwriting experience, but yeah. That out-of-the box perspective is precious.

And like, obviously, that writer watched the films eventually, but for some reason everyone who bitched about Headland omitted that detail and opted for a more bad faith interpretation.

Hm. Wonder why.

Maybe it's the same reason that months ago this clipped audio circulated socials without context, in which she debates whether Star Wars only came from George Lucas and only Lucas is the key.

The FULL context of that interview reveals that she's actually:

debating the "autheur director" myth and positing that it was achieved by a collective of excellent filmmakers and craftspeople that George was skilled and smart enough to recruit...

the studios now think it's a simple as hiring one guy and throwing money at him, because they have no idea what the fuck they're talking about. See Napoleon (2023) for example.

Yes, she also does a jab to the Prequels, which speaks to the generation of fans she's a part of... but overall she's giving Lucas props whilst also stating an ideological difference, that's it!

George is a proponent of the "autheur" theory, Leslye isn't.

However, guess what, in like half the talks George gave post-selling Star Wars? He's giving shoutouts to everyone who helped make the first film, even remembering their names.

So I'm not even sure he'd vehemently disagree with Leslye, in fact they'd prolly have a conversation about it and immediately bitch about how stupid studio executives are :D

But that's not as incendiary, is it? Again, the more I do the research, the more it feels like the reason most of these influencers are hating on her is purely sexist.

I mean, on IGN she's even acknowledging that she does plan on taking stock of fan reactions for Season 2.

It's not a guarantee that she'll incorporate the feedback, but at least that's more consideration than, say, JJ Abrams or Rian Johnson gave the fandom.

She's even bringing the moral ambiguity that the Gray Jedi-loving edge-lords love so much.

"No, she's a woke feminist! Anything she does is evil! Eww, girls!"

🙄

Needless to say... I'm gonna give it a shot.

I think it's gonna be a good show, I think it's gonna be a solid story.

I'm crossing my fingers that they won't as biased against the Jedi as it seems they'll be. Even if they are... if it's still an enjoyable experience, I'll gloss over it.

As @gffa states in this post:

Worst case? It's not a story from George. I can dismiss it from my headcanon without a moment's hesitation :D

#the acolyte #jedi order #star wars #leslye headland #george lucas #Youtube #discussion

[generalpierrotdameron]

Acolyte article from Empire Magazine (June 24)

#the acolyte #the acolyte (disney+) #star wars #dafne keen #leslye headland #lee jung jae #charlie barnett #jodie turner smith

[betterboxd]

New look at The Acolyte courtesy of Empire Magazine.

Prepare for the return of the Jedi. Empire’s world-exclusive The Acolyte issue dives into StarWars’ bold new mystery series – speaking to creator Leslye Headland, stars Amandla Stenberg, Carrie-Anne Moss, Lee Jung-jae and more. See more at EmpireOnline.com

On sale Thurs 11 April.

The Acolyte is streaming only on Disney+ starting June 4th.

#star wars #the acolyte #empire magazine #leslye headland #amandla stenberg #carrie anne moss #lee jung jae #dafne keen #jedi #disney #tv shows #tv news #streaming #magazine

[addictivecontradiction]

Sleeping with other people, 2015

#comedy #drama #romance #sleeping with other people #leslye headland #jason mantzoukas #jason sudeikis #causation

[tremendouskoalachild]

Leslye Headland will just see an actor she likes and not back down huh

#the acolyte #amandla stenberg #lee jung jae #dafne keen #charlie barnett #leslye headland

[geekcavepodcast]

The Acolyte Trailer

Set during the High Republic Era 100 years before the Star Wars prequel trilogy, The Acolyte follows a Jedi master who is investigating a shocking crime spree, which will pit him against a warrior from his past. "As more clues emerge, they travel down a dark path where sinister forces reveal all is not what it seems…." (Starwars.com)

The Acolyte stars Lee Jung-jae, Amandla Stenberg, Carrie-Anne Moss, Manny Jacinto, Dafne Keen, Charlie Barnett, Jodie Turner-Smith, Rebecca Henderson, Dean-Charles Chapman, and Joonas Suotamo. Leslye Headland serves as creator, showrunner, and an executive produceron the series.

The Acolyte premieres on Disney+ on June 4, 2024.

#star wars #the acolyte #lee jung jae #amandla stenberg #carrie anne moss #manny jacinto #dafne keen #charlie barnett #jodie turner smith #rebecca henderson #dean charles chapman #joonas suotamo #leslye headland #disney+ #disney #high republic #star wars high republic #TGCLiz #Youtube

[featuringthecreatures]

I’m thinking about how, in the first episode of Russian Doll, Nadia said “I mean, the one, in practical application, just means the one I'm gonna die with. You know, to take care of me when I'm infirm and shit. So, my move is gonna be to wait till I'm in like my late 60s, and then seal the deal. That is, of course, assuming I don't die between then and now.”

Because it literally took her dying between then and now to make her realize that she really did need other people, and could not sustainably rely on herself forever (or until she became physically unable). Alan was the one she died with, and neither of them could have gotten out of the loophole they were in alone.

It’s just such a clever way to make the meaning behind the show clear, and I can’t believe I missed it the first couple of times I watched it.

#…this is why robots can’t write good tv shows tbh #Russian doll #Natasha lyonne #leslye headland #amy poehler #nadia vulvokov #alan zaveri #Russian doll spoilers

[yourdailyqueer]

Leslye Headland

Gender: Female

Sexuality: Lesbian

DOB: Born 1980  

Ethnicity: White - American

Occupation: Director, producer, screenwriter, playwright

#Leslye Headland #sapphic #femme #lesbian #lgbtq #female #1980 #white #director #screenwriter #producer #playwright

[david-talks-sw]

So yesterday I saw a Tweet where this quote was the centerpiece:

“The Jedi really think they’re right – and George tells us that they’re wrong in [Phantom Menace]. They missed a huge aspect of the dark side rising." - Leslye Headland, Empire, 2023

Now, obviously: this is inaccurate, George Lucas never said anything of the sort, and was very vocal about what the Prequels are about (spoiler: it's not the Jedi). But that's besides the point.

I found myself unable to resist when I see someone comment that "George intentionally made the Jedi dogmatic."

I jump in, comment about how he literally never refers to them as such as their philosophy clearly echoes his own, then log off, expecting an avalanche of anti-Jedi/pro-Qui-Gon tweets to ensue.

Instead for once, it's not that clear cut: you do have people reacting to this statement in a negative way, contradicting it, here and there.

And on the one hand, it's comforting, absolutely... but on the other hand, I'm left wondering:

Would so many people try to argue against that statement if it came from Dave Filoni or Sam Witwer?

Like, how much of this is people going "wait" and checking the facts, and how much of this is folks arguing because "anything that'll come out of her mouth is evil woke SJW propaganda" because she's a girl and "ewww girls", as those cringey SW YouTubers put it?

I dunno, just a thought that came to me.

#leslye headland #the acolyte #misoginy? i guess?

[generalpierrotdameron]

The Acolyte creator Leslye Headland is thrilled to have Rwoh be part of her series. “I absolutely love Vernestra. You can tell, because I cast my wife,” she laughs while speaking to Empire. But, she says, much has changed in the time between the High Republic novels and where we find Vernestra now – she’s “been through some shit,” according to the showrunner. “That has resulted in her going from this fun-seeking adventurer character [in the books], to a little bit closer to the [type of] Jedi that we see in The Phantom Menace,” Headland teases. [...] While books like Out Of The Shadows see Rwoh figuring out her earliest years as a Jedi Knight, the significant time-jump in The Acolyte means she holds serious stature in the series. “Because she has been around for so long, she has basically met everyone that has come through the Temple, and seen them all die their natural deaths if they’re living a natural human life,” explains Henderson. “She’s known [Lee Jung-jae’s Jedi Master] Sol since he was a tiny child.” Vernestra Rwoh is, Headland confirms, the only High Republic novel character set to appear in The Acolyte – for now. But should feature seasons be granted, there are thoughts of other characters from the books who could make the leap to the screen. “I’ve already talked to Pablo Hidalgo about it,” teases Headland.

#star wars #the acolyte (disney+) #the acolyte #vernestra rwoh #Sol #lee jung jae #leslye headland #Rebecca Henderson #convinced they released this still earlier than they planned bc it leaked on twitter lol

[thevibraniumveterans]

Look.

I am able to enjoy what I enjoy because I consider my expectations for the media I consume to be a tripping hazard in hell, automatically rendering the shows and movies I watch exceed my expectations.

The only one or two questions I ask myself is, did I enjoy the thing I’m watching? Was I entertained by it? If my answer is yes, that’s all I need to know.

I am at peace because I know that nothing is perfect. I am perfectly okay with my favorite media not being the shining beacons of perfection some people insist they are or want them to be. That’s okay. That’s fine. I still enjoy it all the same.

It doesn’t matter. We all enjoy media in our own way. How I enjoy mine will never dictate how you choose to enjoy yours.

Star Wars has generations of fans. And while that is true, it is also true that it’s not for everyone. And that’s ok!

That said, there’s these two bits of information from Star Wars Celebration 2023 Day 2, that somehow stood out to me.

First off, Jon Favreau, co-creator of The Mandalorian, was asked, “How had this show changed for y’all, and how do you kind of work that experimentation into it?”

His response was:

“Well, the big change is that we went from a very first-person, ground level adventure with new characters and new planets, slowly working our way into weaving ourselves into the fabric of Star Wars more as we introduce some legacy characters into the second season. And now with “Ahsoka” coming out in August, we have a lot of, we’re in the same time period. So there’s a lot of coordination as to what’s happening within that time period, and so we try to keep and preserve the personality of what the show originally was, but every once in a while, the greater Galaxy has to rear its head and affect the way things play out.”

This is important because “The Mandalorian” does not exist in a vacuum. The show, and the characters were and are part of a larger universe, and it was vital that the show explored how this was.

The next Star Wars creative to be invited out was Leslye Headland, director of the upcoming “The Acolyte”. She had this to say:

“I just have to say, it is such an honor to be here, like… Star Wars saved my life. … I know that we… It’s like. The truth is, we are so spoiled now, with Star Wars media… I know that sometimes it can feel sometimes like, “Oh I like this thing”, and “I don’t like that thing”, and if you don’t like “The Acolyte” that’s fine. It doesn’t matter. The reality is that Star Wars, in and of itself, is not just a vast universe full of many different characters, many different eras; but it is always, always, ALWAYS about the spiritual journey; what it is to become who you are.”

It’s not always about one character. There are so many characters, new ones and legacy ones.

And honestly? I am more than happy to be at an age and time where and when I can watch all these wonderful stories take place.

#star wars #star wars celebration #sw celebration #the acolyte #Leslye headland #the mandalorian series #jon favreau #ahsoka tano #sw tcw #sw rebels #star wars rebels #mandoverse

[pintsofguinnesmakeyoustrong]

russian doll really rocked up in 2019 and emotionally fucked us all and we were like 'wow they cant possibly do any better than that' and then. And then they fucking did.

#just finished s2 and i am weeping #russian doll spoilers #russian doll netflix #russian doll #natasha lyonne #nadia vulvokov #charlie barnett #alan zaveri #chloe sevigny #leslye headland #amy poehler

[hegodamask]

ooh my god

#star wars #the acolyte #leslye headland #love everything i’m hearing here #not sure if the ‘pro jedi at any costs’ crowd will though 😬 #Youtube

[tremendouskoalachild]

Leslye Headland, Amandla Stenberg and Dafne Keen on Force use in The Acolyte, for Total Film May 2024 issue.

#the acolyte #leslye headland #amandla stenberg #dafne keen

[rwoh]

can you guys define antijedi for me rq and give examples of antijedi things leslye has said in interviews because I'm struggling to see where these conclusions are being drawn from

#acolyte #star wars #the high republic #leslye headland

[addictivecontradiction]

Sleeping with other people, 2015

#comedy #drama #romance #sleeping with other people #leslye headland #alison brie #jason sudeikis #standstill