Jedi from the past and present pass the torch (or, better put, lightsaber) to Lee Jung-jae in “The Acolyte.” As Master Sol, he appreciated the opportunity he was given to enter the expansive Star Wars franchise that has made so much impact on film history. “I feel so honored to be a part of that and felt that it was as important for me to work hard to be a part of this series,” Lee said in a recent interview with Character Media. He reflected on his time in the role, getting used to playing a Jedi and having a lightsaber as his weapon of choice. “Playing a Jedi master was something that I couldn’t have ever imagined. When I held the lightsaber for the first time, there was this feeling of ‘How could this be in my hand?’ At first, I couldn’t get used to it. However, since I had to act natural while filming, I had to quickly acclimate holding the lightsaber.”
To prepare for “The Acolyte,” Lee took inspiration from his Korean heritage, which he also felt was a factor in why he was cast in the series. “There are very specific Jedi costumes, action choreography and philosophy that are upheld by the Jedi [that] I saw parts of in Asian warriors,” he said. “I felt like because ‘The Acolyte’ is set in a timeline 100 years prior to any of the existing ‘Star Wars’ stories out now, I could draw inspiration from Asian swordsmen and warriors to play Master Sol. [I] thought that’s why they casted an Asian actor like me to play the character.”
Lee drew inspiration from previous Jedi Masters in the franchise to hone down his character. “I think the most important thing is, because there have been a lot of influential actors that have played Jedi, I spent a lot of time observing their acting and how they expressed the thoughts and feelings when playing a Jedi,” he said.
In addition to Lee’s iconic predecessors, he’s also fond of his alien companions. When asked If he were in a fight and could choose any character from the Star Wars universe to help, he shared that he would want a Wookiee by his side.
Catch the whole interview above and see Lee in action in “The Acolyte” now streaming on Disney+!
