Star Wars Is A Masterful Take On Samurai Narrative With Influence On The Acolyte

Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai influenced future filmmaking mainly by setting the tone and structure of the Hero’s Journey. It also inspired a samurai saga in space, which led to Star Wars. Kurosawa’s work has been considered the foundation of our beloved Space Opera. 

Analysis of the screenplay proves that the first Saga movie was essentially merely the synopsis of Kurosawa’s The Hidden Fortress, with Japanese names marked through and replaced with the sci-fi names of “Star Wars.”  

George Lucas wanted to offer the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi to Toshirô Mifune, the main lead of Seven Samurai, but Toshirô refused to portray Kenobi. At the same time, Lucas also wanted the actor to portray the character of Darth Vader.

Influencing The Modern Star Wars - The Acolyte

Kurosawa’s work has been definitively linked to many Saga movies and series. In interviews before the release of Episode VII: The Force Awakens, Lawrence Kasdan pointed to Kurosawa’s “High and Low” as a reference in the movie. Director Rian Johnson adores “Rashomon” and wove it straight into Episode VIII: The Last Jedi. 

The creator of The Acolyte, Leslye Headland, is waving the influence of Kurosawa in the “The Acolyte.” 

She explained that The Acolyte was partly her love letter to Kurosawa and wuxia-style films. “Yeah, I guess when you love something this much and when you are so reverential to it, it’s not easy to chart your own course,” said Headland. She added, “Thus, I decided that the best I can do is to rely on what I cherish most about Star Wars.”

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May the Force be with you!