The Acolyte: Plo Koon Easter Egg
Lucasfilm’s latest Star Wars series The Acolyte has garnered attention for branching out from the Skywalker Saga, offering a fresh storyline set “100 years before the rise of the Empire” in the High Republic era. This departure from familiar territory has excited many Star Wars enthusiasts. Even with this new setting and a new cast of characters, creator Leslye Headland is incorporating subtle nods to the existing Star Wars universe. In Episode 4, a major Easter egg was revealed: Plo Koon.
Plo Koon’s Star Wars Journey
Plo Koon, the Kel Dor Jedi recognized for his distinctive oxygen mask, made his debut in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace as a member of the Jedi council. He later gained popularity in action-packed roles in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Creator of The Clone Wars, Dave Filoni, is a dedicated fan of Plo Koon, expressing his fondness for the character through various interactions with fans over the years. Filoni’s admiration for Plo Koon even extends to his personal life, evident in his collection of Plo Koon memorabilia and cosplay as the Jedi at conventions.
The Filoni-Lucas Debate
Dave Filoni’s passion for Plo Koon led to discussions with George Lucas about enhancing the character’s role in The Clone Wars. While there were ideas to give Plo Koon a samurai vibe reminiscent of Toshiro Mifune in Seven Samurai, Lucas preferred a more light-hearted approach similar to Jim Carrey. Filoni eventually selected James Arnold Taylor to voice Plo Koon due to his resemblance to Gandalf. Despite disagreements with Lucas over Plo Koon’s fate during Order 66, Filoni remains steadfast in his defense of the character.
Plo Koon’s Surprise Appearance
In a brief moment during a scene in The Acolyte, Plo Koon makes a cameo appearance, marking his first live-action appearance since Revenge of the Sith. Questions arise about Plo Koon’s presence during the High Republic era, with calculations based on Legends materials suggesting he would be an experienced Jedi at that time.
While speculations hinted at Plo Koon’s return in The Mandalorian, it turned out to be a misdirection to conceal the appearance of a de-aged Luke Skywalker. Despite not being directly involved in The Acolyte, Filoni’s influence as a dedicated Plo Koon enthusiast may have played a role in the character’s inclusion.
Incorporating Fan Favorites
The Acolyte reflects Headland’s commitment to embracing various aspects of the Star Wars universe by incorporating Easter eggs and references to please fans across different generations. The diverse writing team behind the series ensures a broad spectrum of Star Wars fandom is represented, allowing for nods to iconic characters like Plo Koon. By paying homage to characters from different eras of Star Wars, The Acolyte demonstrates a respect for the franchise’s rich history.
Correction: A previous version of this story stated that Plo Koon last appeared in live-action in The Phantom Menace, but his final live-action appearance was in Revenge of the Sith. We’ve edited the article to reflect this.