Squid Game’s Lee Jung-jae on joining The Acolyte, making history as a Jedi, and why he thinks Russian Doll’s Leslye Headland has a "fresh take" on Star Wars

EntertainmentTVSci-Fi ShowsThe AcolyteSquid Game’s Lee Jung-jae on joining The Acolyte, making history as a Jedi, and why he thinks Russian Doll’s Leslye Headland has a “fresh take” on Star WarsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. EntertainmentTVSci-Fi ShowsThe AcolyteSquid Game’s Lee Jung-jae on joining The Acolyte, making history as a Jedi, and why he thinks Russian Doll’s Leslye Headland has a “fresh take” on Star WarsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Lucasfilm) All eyes have been on Lee Jung-jae since his leading role as Seong Gi-hun, AKA Player 456, in Netflix’s mega-hit Squid Game. It was a performance that also put him on the radar of The Acolyte creator Leslye Headland and led to him joining a cast of Jedi in a galaxy far, far away – as a character that is an historic first for the franchise. “Director and showrunner Leslye Headland had watched me in Squid Game and wanted to meet with me. We had an initial Zoom meeting that led to a camera test,” Lee tells GamesRadar+ (via an interpreter) about the initial conversations that led to him being cast as the sage Jedi Master Sol in The Acolyte. “I had actually watched Leslye’s previous work, Russian Doll and really enjoyed it. I thought it was really surprising that she reached out to me because I didn’t think that there was too much in common between Russian Doll and Star Wars,” Lee says of Headland’s previous work, the time loop Netflix drama starring Natasha Lyonne. “However I thought, because of this, she would have such a fresh take on directing a Star Wars show and I know that she is a Star Wars super fan. So she knows so much about the universe and the history of Star Wars, down to the small details. I was really looking forward to working with her on this.” (Image credit: Lucasfilm) “I believe I’m the first Asian actor to play a Jedi Master. So I think that is something that’s a little bit different,” Lee says on how his Jedi stands out from the pack in not only his own show, but in the wider Star Wars universe. Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox “When you look at Star Wars films and shows in the past, you see that whether it’s the costume or some of the martial arts [and] choreography, there is some kind of Asian influence. So I thought that maybe, because The Acolyte happens in a timeline that is previous to any show or film that’s out currently, there was a choice to select an Asian actor for the role of Master Sol.” Next up for Lee is a return to the Front Man’s devilish selection of childhood games as Player 456 inSquid Game season 2, which is set to release on Netflix this year. On what he’s learned from The Acolyte moving forward in his career – including on Squid Game – Lee explained it was the action side of his first English-language role that will prove most beneficial. “I was working with Hollywood’s best action team in order to train for the Acolyte,” Lee says. The Acolyte is streaming exclusively onDisneyPlus from June 4 in the US and June 5 in the UK. For more, check outThe Acolyte release scheduleandour interview with The Acolyte cast on the show’s expansive sets– plus all the latest news onupcoming Star Wars movies and shows. 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take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1 Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”