Star Wars role a dream come true for Fil-Canadian actor Manny Jacinto
Photo from mannyjacinto/Instagram
If you’ve started watching the highly anticipated prequel to the iconic Star Wars saga, “The Acolyte,” on Disney+, you may have noticed Filipino Canadian actor Manny Jacinto.
In a recent interview with Hollywood Insider on YouTube during the UK Premiere, Jacinto shared his enthusiasm for the series.
“I’m incredibly excited,” he said, reflecting on the eight months of hard work and the two-year wait for the series’ release. “I can’t wait for people to really just experience the adventure we’ve been working on for so long.”
Landing a role in such a significant franchise was a dream come true for Jacinto, stating, “I just turned into a child again.”
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He reminisced about his childhood, where he spent countless hours playing with lightsabers and imagining himself as part of the Star Wars universe.
This nostalgic connection adds a personal touch to his performance, making his portrayal of Qimir even more compelling, as he said that Star Wars is part of the culture even for non-fans.
Jacinto’s character, Qimir, is introduced as a former smuggler with a complex moral compass. In an interview with ComicBook, Jacinto described Qimir as someone who operates from a selfish standpoint, neither aligning with the Jedi nor the Sith.
“He’s not really about the Jedi, not really about the Sith, but it’s more so who he can use to his advantage in order to survive,” Jacinto explained.
Jacinto’s portrayal of the former smuggler, Qimir, injects a dynamic essence into an already stellar ensemble cast, including Korean sensation Lee Jung-jae as the revered Jedi master, Sol, and Amandla Stenberg, who evolves from Padawan to formidable warrior as Mae.
Jacinto’s involvement in “The Acolyte” marks a significant milestone for Filipino Canadian representation in mainstream media, particularly in a franchise as influential as Star Wars.
For those in North America, both episodes of “The Acolyte” were released on June 4 while for those in the UK, it was released on June 5.
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