Summary
- Kelnacca, Star Wars’ first live-action Wookiee Jedi, is a vital character in The Acolyte, setting the series in motion.
- The Barash Vow has likely been taken by Kelnacca, making him vulnerable to Mae’s solitary attacks as she hunts Jedi.
- Kelnacca’s innate strength as a Wookiee poses a challenge for Mae, who may fail to kill him in the first episodes of The Acolyte.
One of the most exciting characters upcoming in The Acolyte is Kelnacca, Star Wars’ first live-action Wookiee Jedi. Played by Joonas Suotamo—who took over the role of Chewbacca from Peter Mayhew in the latter sequel movies—Kelnacca finally brings a Wookiee Jedi to the big screen. Despite such an important role, The Acolyte trailer gives only a few hints as to what kind of Jedi Kelnacca is. But based on what they’ve revealed, it seems like Kelnacca may be one of the most integral characters in The Acolyte, and may even be the one who sets the series in motion.
There are less than a dozen Wookiee Jedi in Star Wars, making them somewhat of a rare sight. In Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Huyang the droid professor even stated that there had been few Wookiee Jedi in the history of the Order. Before Kelnacca, Gungi the Padawan is one of the most well-known Wookiee Jedi. Meanwhile, almost all the other Wookiee Jedi in Star Wars Canon come from novels or Legends. Yet Suotamo’s Kelnacca promises to change this. And just being a Wookiee isn’t the only unique feature to this lonesome Jedi.
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Kelnacca’s Shaved Head May Indicate He’s Taken A Vow
image via Disney+
Wookiees are known for their intensely furry skin. Yet in The Acolyte trailer, Kelnacca actually has a shaved head, indicating he’s intentionally made a drastic change to his appearance. Furthermore, Kelnacca’s character page on StarWars.com indicates he’s a “loner who lives a solitary life.” Unlike most other Jedi, who operate in a community for the betterment of the Order as a whole, it seems like Kelnacca has distanced himself from the dealings of Jedi and may now be a sort of rogue. However, his shaved head could also indicate that he has taken the Barash Vow.
Kelnacca, a Wookiee Jedi, is a loner who lives a solitary life on a jungle world.
Created By
Leslye Headland
Alliance
Jedi
Race
Wookiee
The Barash Vow is a lesser-known aspect of Star Wars Canon, first mentioned in Charles Soule’s 2017 Darth Vader comics, and later shown in practice in The High Republic comics and novels. In short, this was an oath by Jedi who wished to completely distance themselves from the Order and the Council, but not the Force itself. Obi-Wan Kenobi actually took part in the Barash Vow while in exile on Tatooine, excluding his adventure with Princess Leia in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series.
If Someone Is Hunting Jedi… An Isolated Master Would Be Vulnerable
According to The Acolyte trailer, someone is hunting and killing Jedi, and it seems likely that Amandla Stenberg’s Mae character is the culprit. For now, she’s only been shown wielding a knife of some sort, meaning it’d be impossible for her to try taking on Jedi in large groups. Instead, she’s forced to try killing Jedi one by one. In other words, Mae’s easiest targets are Jedi who are isolated and alone, such as those who have taken the Barash Vow. She’s not the type to try and face off against multiple foes on her own.
The former Padawan of Jedi Master Sol, Mae gets swept up into a sinister mystery—one that puts her into the center of a conflict in unexpected ways.
Created By
Leslye Headland
Cast
Amandla Stenberg
RELATIONSHIPS
Sol (Former Master)
Alliance
Jedi
When Yord (Charlie Barnett’s character) narrates in The Acolyte trailer that someone is killing Jedi, a shot is shown of Mae attempting to stab a lone figure in white robes; probably another Jedi she’s trying to kill. This, along with her choreographed fight scene with Master Indara, almost confirms that Mae is seeking out lone Jedi to fight one on one. And if Kelnacca has taken the Barash Vow and distanced himself from the Order, it’s likely Mae’s path will lead her straight to him.
Is Kelnacca A Target For The Acolyte?
Assuming Mae is the Acolyte referred to in the title, and that she is hunting rogue Jedi to kill to help prove herself, Kelnacca is a prime target for her. Jedi who have taken the Barash Vow are separated from the Order, meaning Kelnacca has no back-up if Mae attempts to kill him. Nevertheless, Mae seems like an acrobatic fighter who favors using a small knife to slip past her opponent’s defense. Therefore, Kelnacca’s innate strength as a Wookiee poses a huge problem for Mae; he may not end up needing back-up at all to handle her.
The first two episodes of The Acolyte will premiere on Disney+ on June 4, 2024.
It seems unlikely that Disney would kill off Kelnacca in the first few episodes of the series, which suggests Mae will fail to kill him. If this is the case, then Kelnacca may be the one who first alerts the Jedi Order that there is a killer on the loose. Kelnacca may be one of the few to escape Mae’s carnage, and her attempted assault may spur him to reconsider his oath and return to the Jedi Order. Either way, Kelnacca will likely be one of the most vital characters in The Acolyte.
The Acolyte
Cast
Dafne Keen
, Lee Jung-jae
, Amandla Stenberg
, Jodie Turner-Smith
, Joonas Suotamo
, Carrie-Anne Moss
, Margarita Levieva
, Charlie Barnett
, Dean-Charles Chapman
Streaming Service(s)
Disney+
Showrunner
Leslye Headland