New information has revealed a key Prequels scene that was cut from The Acolyte at the last minute. Leslye Headland's High Republic set Disney+ series originally ran from June to July 2024, telling the tale of a pair of Force-sensitive twins and a Jedi cover-up to conceal their mysterious origins. Although the show has been confirmed not to continue (following its cancellation shortly after Season 1), fans have been able to stay connected to the title through various tie-in books.
One of these books is set to hit store shelves this February in the form of The Art of Star Wars: The Acolyte by Kristin Baver. The new book, scheduled for release on February 3, 2026, will provide fans with a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the series, featuring new interviews with key creatives and never-before-seen artwork from the show's production.
A key detail revealed from this new book (via The HoloFiles) included the first mention of a cut scene from The Acolyte's finale that would have tied the series even closer to the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy. Speaking as part of the upcoming art book, Headland revealed that they cut a scene in development that featured the Galactic Senate building, a key locale in Star Wars Episodes I-III.
According to the Star Wars creative, there was a scene toward the end of the show's final episode in which fans saw Rebecca Henderson's Vernestra Rwoh "leaving [the Galactic Senate Building]," and having a brief encounter with Senator Rayencourt:
"There was a moment where I think you understood Vernestra's choice to betray Sol...As she was leaving [the Galactic Senate Building], she walked out and looked up as Senator Rayencourt said, 'Welcome to the world of politics'."
"But as we were cutting things together, it did seem a little odd to end Vernestra’s story, but then come back to her talking to Yoda," Headland admitted, revealing why the moment was ultimately cut from the series:
"But as we were cutting things together, it did seem a little odd to end Vernestra’s story, but then come back to her talking to Yoda...It didn't work in the edit, but it's just one of those things that I really miss, you know. I’m so sad we had to cut this. It was a good one."
The Chambers of the Galactic Chamber are prominently featured in the Prequel Trilogy. It is where iconic Star Wars moments, such as the declaration of the Galactic Empire in Episode III, occur and would have been a fun Easter egg, adding even more connective tissue between The Acolyte and the rest of the Lucasian canon.
The fan-favorite Star Wars location recently made its Disney+ return in Andor Season 2, appearing in a key arc during that series' final six episodes.
The Acolyte's Other Key Prequels Connections
While The Acolyte remains one of the most divisive titles in the Star Wars canon, there is still a large contingent of fans disappointed that the series will not be coming back for a second season, especially in terms of its potential connections to the Prequel Trilogy.
A cut appearance by the Galactic Senate on Coruscant was by no means the only Prequels Easter egg that appeared in the star-faring streaming series.
Of course, The Acolyte finale also included a tease of Master Yoda for fans. After everything that had happened, and Vernestra's cover-up of Master Sol's crimes against the galaxy, she goes to Yoda, seemingly setting up a relationship that would have come to appear in a potential second batch of episodes.
Fans did not get much of Yoda in the finale, but his appearance was exciting nonetheless, especially considering that just 100 years later, the character would be guiding the Jedi Council as they enter the Clone Wars.
Perhaps even more important than Yoda (if that is possible) was the Acolyte tease of the terrifying Darth Plageius. Fans saw the iconic Sith peek out from a cave in the show's final moments. This would have seemingly come back in Season 2, setting up the legend that Palpatine tells Anakin in Episode III.
Hopefully, if a second season never comes to be, fans can get a taste of what these Prequel Easter eggs would have been setting up in the form of a Star Wars book or tell-all interview like the one given by Headland for the new Art of Star Wars: The Acolyte.
