In the new “Star Wars” series “The Acolyte,” Disney breaks a rule set by George Lucas that has lasted for almost half a century. It involves a Wookiee who technically shouldn’t be a Jedi.
What kind of series is this? The new “Star Wars” series “The Acolyte” takes place some time before the films during the High Republic era. This time period showcases the peak of the Jedi Order.
The Jedi are seen in their role as protectors of the galaxy, dealing with conflicts on its fringes. Viewers will meet many new Jedi, including Jedi Master Kelnacca. But if George Lucas were still in charge, this character probably wouldn’t be included.
Here you can watch the trailer for the series:
Wookiees don’t wield lightsabers
Why wouldn’t the Jedi Master be included? Since the creation of Chewbacca about 50 years ago, George Lucas chose a number of species that are not Force-sensitive. Therefore, they cannot use the Force and thus cannot become Jedi, let alone Masters.
Among the species that are not Force-sensitive are the Tuskens, the Vulptereens, and the Wookiees, as explained by author Randy Stradley, who has worked on several Star Wars comic series (via JeuxVideo.com).
Jedi Master Kelnacca likely wouldn’t have existed during George Lucas’s time as he would have broken this rule. Now that Disney is in charge, this rule seems no longer applicable.
Was the rule always followed? No, particularly in the “Star Wars” novels of the 90s and early 2000s, there are recurring hints at Jedi Wookiees. Many different authors have always worked on the novels, and not all of them were aware of or adhered to the rules. This led to the ban on creating such characters by George Lucas.
The creator himself declined a Wookiee Jedi for the game “Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords.” The Wookiee bounty hunter Hanharr was supposed to be a dark Jedi, but Lucas rejected the proposal from the game’s developers at Obsidian Entertainment.
When George Lucas stepped back from Star Wars in 2012, the fifth season of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” also premiered, which already featured the young Wookiee Padawan Gungi searching for Kyber crystals. If you want to learn more about “Star Wars: The Acolyte,” we have the right article for you here: A new Star Wars series showcases the heyday of the Jedi – starts in June
