EXCLUSIVE: The eve of his potential historic night at the Emmys, Squid Game star Lee Jung-Jae looks to have found his first major studio role following that breakout in a property more popular then the Netflix global phenomenon.
Sources tell Deadline that Lee has landed the male lead in the new Disney+ Star Wars series The Acolyte from Lucasfilm. Amandla Steinberg is set for the other lead role with Deadline also recently breaking news that Jodi Smith-Turner will also be joining cast. Leslye Headland tapped as the series director, writer, exec producer and showrunner. Headland has been very hands on with Lucasfilm exec including Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy, in putting together an A-list diversified ensemble and with Steinberg Smith-Turner and now Lee, it looks to be headed in that direction.
Lucasfilm could not be reached for comment on the casting.
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The Acolyte is a mystery-thriller that will take viewers into a galaxy of shadowy secrets and emerging dark-side powers in the final days of the High Republic era, Disney+ described the series upon its announcement in December 2020. In the real universe of Star Wars, an acolyte can refer to individuals with force abilities who learn from a more experienced Sith Lord.
Details behind who Lee will be playing under being kept under wraps.
Even with how high-anticipated this new series, landing Lee for the series is quite the victory for Lucasfilm and Headland seeing how every studio and streamer was looking to get into business with Squid Game breakout star. It’s been a year is the series premiered, smashing streaming records and turning Lee and his cast mates into household names.
Not only has the film turned Lee into an global star, he has been rewarded for it on several fronts winning every major award since its premiere and has an opportunity to make history Monday at the Primetime Emmy Awards in the lead actor category.
After signing with CAA earlier this year, Lee first wanted to put the finishing touches on his directorial debut Hunt, which he also stars in, before its Cannes Film Festival Premiere. That film was recently acquired by Magnolia Pictures.
Besides CAA, he is also repped by Artist Company.
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