Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for The Acolyte!
Summary
Star Wars: The Acolytehas confirmed the continuation of one controversial martial arts form seen in previousStar Warsshows, and, yes, its name is really Force-Fu.The Acolyteis the newest addition toStar Warsmovies and TV shows, set 100 years beforeStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menaceduringthe High Republic Era. Because of its position intheStar Warstimeline,The Acolytehas the opportunity to reveal brand-new insights intoStar Wars’history.
However,The Acolytehas also confirmed that some concepts previously introduced in the franchise have existed in theStar Warsuniverse for generations. One such concept istheStar Warsfighting style Force-Fu, which combines the powers of the Force with a martial arts fighting stylemodeled off the real-world Kung Fu, a broad term for Chinese martial arts. Force-Fu, first seen inAhsoka, has returned inStar Wars’newest TV show, andTheAcolyteshowrunner Leslye Headland has already verified its name and its significance in the show.
10 Ways The Acolyte’s Jedi Order Is Totally Different To The Prequels
The Jedi Order is back and in full swing in The Acolyte, but 100 years prior to the Star Wars prequels, this show’s Jedi Order is very different.
How Real-World Martial Arts Influence “Force-Fu”
The Acolyteshowrunner Leslye Headland has confirmed that Force-Fu was directly influenced by Kung Fu. Specifically, casting Carrie-Anne Moss as Jedi Master Indara was linked to Moss' role as Trinity in theMatrixfranchise, which heavily featured Kung Fu. In an interview withEmpire Magazine, Headland explained:
“I personally wanted to see someone who had the highest status you could imagine in a Force-fu fight – somebody that would come in and you immediately would be like, ‘Oh, that’s the most powerful Jedi in the room. And that’s Trinity.”
Not only does this statement from Headland make clear where thisAcolytefighting style originated, but it also confirms that Force-Fu is in fact the canon name for the fighting style.
Similarly, Carrie-Anne Moss has discussed the influence that Kung Fu had on this martial arts form used inThe Acolyte, specifically highlighting its unique relationship to the Force. Speaking toGood Morning America, Moss said:
“They had a woman on set who helped you discover your way that you would do that. Bring that Force in, and so they used a lot of kung fu moves. The fighting is all really based in kung fu, and then just finding your way of doing the Force. I just trusted that I would know, but I did have some help.”
Moss' quote makes clear what is so unique about the Force-Fu style.Beyond just pulling from martial arts,The Acolyteconsiders how such a style would integrate with Force abilities. Ultimately, this worked by having Master Indara favor the use of defensive moves rather than going on the attack. This is quite different from the fighting style of the Jedi in the prequel trilogy, who often went full offensive once a fight had begun.
This is quite different from the fighting style of the Jedi in the prequel trilogy, who often went full offensive once a fight had begun.
Completely to the contrary, Moss' scene inThe Acolyteshows Indara blocking and dodging Mae’s attacks and making moves to prevent her from continuing the assault; she doesn’t attempt to harm Mae. In fact, it isn’t until the extent of the threat has become clear to her that Indara draws her lightsaber. This is also interesting because it prioritizes hand-to-hand combat, which has been much less common inStar Wars’other movies and shows.
Indara
Master Indara is a Jedi Master of great physical and mental skill. Little has been revealed of her role to date.
Force-Fu Fits Perfectly With The Defensive Jedi Style
Force-Fu has appeared in one otherStar Warsshow, however. The fighting style was introduced inAhsoka, when Ezra Bridger fights Shin Hati on Peridea. Just as Master Indara did,Ezra focuses on blocking and self-defense and doesn’t jump right to using a lightsaber as so many Jedi would. In truth, this fighting style of Force-Fu perfectly fits the ideals the Jedi are supposed to uphold.
Rather than harming or killing, the Jedi are meant to protect others and keep the peace. This martial arts form is much truer to that goal than the use of lightsabers. However, the name of the Force fighting style is a bit unfortunate. The wordplay of the term comes across as a joke more than a legitimate fighting style, and it has the potential to co-opt Kung Fu in a problematic way. Even so, Force-Fu is officially canon, and, based onStar Wars: The Acolyte, it seems the new Force fighting style is here to stay inStar Wars.
Ezra Bridger
Hailing from the planet Lothal, Ezra Bridger’s Force potential was discovered by Order 66 survivor Kanan Jarrus. Ezra became Kanan’s apprentice, working as a key asset in the Lothal rebel cell. He sacrificed himself in a desperate gambit to defeat Grand Admiral Thrawn, becoming stranded for years in a distant galaxy on the planet Peridea. Ezra has now returned, thanks to the efforts of his friend Sabine Wren.
The Acolyte
The Acolyte is a television series set in the Star Wars universe at the end of the High Republic Era, where both the Jedi and the Galactic Empire were at the height of their influence. This sci-fi thriller sees a former Padawan reunite with her former Jedi Master as they investigate several crimes - all leading to darkness erupting from beneath the surface and preparing to bring about the end of the High Republic.
Ahsoka
Ahsoka follows the journey of former Jedi Knight Ahsoka Tano as she investigates an emerging threat to a vulnerable galaxy. Released in 2023, this series takes place within the Star Wars universe and features Ahsoka navigating through a complex political and cosmic landscape.
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