The Acolyte: Amandla Stenberg playing John Williams new score is unforgettable

The star of the upcoming series proves how much the Force is with her.

Kaki Olsen

When seeing Amandla Stenberg's commanding and intense presence in promotional photos or trailers for the upcoming Star Wars: The Acolyte series, it's hard to imagine that this is the same actress who tragically captured the hearts of The Hunger Games fans as Katniss Everdeen's ally, Rue. She's certainly made her mark in other genres, from headlining The Hate U Give to voicing Margo Kess, AKA Spider-Byte, in Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse.

It is easier to remember her growth into the powerful actor they are, especially in a recent video from Star Wars' social media where she plays a new arrangement from John Williams on her violin.

It must be a phenomenal opportunity to engage in the Star Wars franchise and all indications are that Stenberg's character of Mae will be part of a memorable legacy. Stenberg's enthusiasm for this music is infectious, though.

"The Force Theme," often associated with Luke staring into a binary sunset, is actually a bookending theme for the women of Star Wars. It plays as Princess Leia comes into sight in Star Wars, Episode IV: A New Hope. In the closing moments of Star Wars, Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker, Rey is asked for her name. As her Masters appear in the distance and she claims the name of Skywalker, the same music begins playing. The Jedi of The High Republic are heirs to the same legacy of a connection to the Force, so it's appropriate to associate John Williams' music with them as well.

But most violinists don't have a bespoke solo written for them. Stenberg's rendition of the theme in "Amandla and her violin" is at a faster tempo than its counterparts on Tatooine and the Tantive IV and nowhere as foreboding as the moment when war drums and the Force theme open Star Wars, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Instead, it evokes a sense of purpose and adventure. Stenberg plays with admirable skill and attention to phrasing with such a unique piece of music.

The Acolyte premiers on June 4 on Disney+, but until then, we can enjoy the behind-the-scenes enthusiasm of its participants.

Kaki Olsen

Site Expert for Wizards and Whatnot. Kaki Olsen is a Paid Contributor to five Fansided sites and counting: -Dork Side of the Force (She'll be a Jedi when she grows up.) -Tea and Banter (The more royals, the better.) -I Prefer Reading (Bring on the angsty books!) -TripSided (Where in the world will she go next?) -Wizards and Whatnot (Proud hobbit in Slytherin) A native of Massachusetts, she was educated at Brigham Young University. She has been a contributor and editor for Front Row Reviewers for six years, but is also a traditionally published author of books and short stories ranging from modern fairy tales to the first missionaries in space. By day, she works as a case manager for a disability firm, but she moonlights as a Professor Umbridge cosplayer, volunteers as a crisis counselor, self-cares with Red Sox games, and writes altogether too much Transformers fanfiction. She makes her home in the Merrimack Valley with her piano, overflowing bookshelves, and many imaginary friends for her next book.