One of Star Wars’ most exciting new shows, The Acolyte, may debut a lightwhip, one of the most unique lightsaber variants in the entire galaxy. During Star Wars Celebration 2023 in London, it was confirmed that an existing character from the High Republic books and comics would have a role in The Acolyte, the first live-action High Republic series set 100 years before the events of the Skywalker saga. As such, this creates an exciting opportunity for one of the coolest lightsaber upgrades.
At Star Wars Celebration 2023, it was confirmed that a High Republic Jedi named Vernestra Rwoh will make her live-action debut in The Acolyte. Not much is known about Star Wars‘ The Acolyte TV show at this stage, but it is confirmed to be set 100 years before Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, at the tail end of the High Republic Era. Vernestra Rwoh has already appeared in books and comics set during that period, which revealed she was knighted at the age of 15, an incredibly rare occurrence for one so young. However, Rwoh is a Mirialan whose species likely has an extended lifespan compared to humans considering her upcoming appearance 100 years later played by actress Rebecca Henderson. The real question is if she’ll still be wielding her purple-bladed and impressively modified lightsaber.
Vernestra Rwoh Wielded A Lightwhip In The High Republic Era
Having received a vision in the Force which showed her how to modify her lightsaber, Vernestra installed a switch that allowed her to alternate between a traditional blade and a lightwhip, created by generating a more flexible containment field for the lightsaber’s plasma blade. Traditionally associated with the Nightsisters of Dathomir, the lightwhip was known to be used by a select number of Jedi as well. While the added flexibility made the weapon slightly less powerful in its ability to cut, the lightwhip was believed to be an effective counter to the forbidden lightsaber forms used by the Sith.
Unsure of what her former master or fellow Jedi would say when they saw the modifications she’d made, Vernestra Rwoh initially kept her saber upgrade hidden until she no longer had a choice. That said, Rwoh eventually debuted her lightwhip with minimal consequence. Furthermore, she notably used the alternate mode to great effect, emerging victorious during a lightsaber duel with a Jedi in danger of falling to the dark side as seen in The High Republic: A Test of Courage by author Justina Ireland.
Will The Acolyte Feature Vernestra’s Lightwhip?
It’s been confirmed that The Acolyte will see the Jedi Order facing the threat of the Sith. As such, Vernestra Rwoh wielding her purple-bladed lightwhip would undoubtedly be most welcome. However, 100 years is a long time. It’s possible Rwoh could have modified her blade again or constructed a new lightsaber without the added whip upgrade. After all, there is a precedent seeing as how Jedi Master Kelleran Beq’s purple lightsaber was absent during his scenes in The Mandalorian season 3. At any rate, here’s hoping Star Wars fans get to see a live-action lightwhip in the near future thanks to Rwoh’s upcoming role in The Acolyte.