Is Ki-Adi-Mundi in The Acolyte? The appearance of the last prequel's Jedi master explored

Jedi Master Ki-Adi-Mundi
Jedi Master Ki-Adi-Mundi (Image via Star Wars official website)

The Acolyte episode 4 brought a surprise twist for Star Wars fans with an unexpected character appearance. The episode, titled Day, includes a sequence of Master Sol meeting several Jedi masters for advice, one of whom is a familiar face from the Prequel Trilogy.

The episode's credits reveal that the familiar master on the council is Ki-Adi-Mundi, who first appeared in Star Wars Episode I - The Phantom Menace. This groundbreaking cameo ties the new series to the original Star Wars series, which first featured Luke Skywalker, and becomes a full-circle moment for the verse.

This article contains spoilers for the Star Wars franchise and The Acolyte.


How old is Ki-Adi-Mundi in The Acolyte?

Jedi Master Ki-Adi-Mundi, who made a cameo in The Acolyte (Image via Star Wars official website)
Jedi Master Ki-Adi-Mundi, who made a cameo in The Acolyte (Image via Star Wars official website)

In Star Wars Episode I - The Phantom Menace, Ki-Adi-Mundi was said to be 60 years old. However, The Acolyte takes place roughly 100 years before the film, bringing the Jedi master's age into question. It is possible that, since he is of the Cerean race, Ki-Adi-Mundi might defy regular aging rules and age slower, which might corroborate with his final age in Star Wars too.

The makers of the show have yet to reveal the Jedi master's final age as per the revised canon. It will certainly be exciting to see whether Ki-Adi-Mundi's appearance was just an Easter egg for fans or whether he will play a more significant role in upcoming episodes.


When was Ki-Adi-Mundi born?

As per the events of The Phantom Menace, Ki-Adi-Mundi's birth year was established as 93 BBY (before the Battle of Yavin), making him 60 years of age during the events of the Star Wars movie. However, this has been brought into question by his appearance in The Acolyte, which takes place 100 years prior.

Ki-Adi-Mundi might likely have a more elongated lifespan as compared to humans since he is of the Cerean race of aliens. Even Yoda lived 900 years until the events of the Return of the Jedi. At present, the series indicates that Ki-Adi-Mundi was probably an accomplished Jedi master by 132 BBY, revising the canon assumptions about his birth year.


Who plays Ki-Adi-Mundi in The Acolyte?

Jedi master Ki-Adi-Mundi (Image via Star Wars official website)
Jedi master Ki-Adi-Mundi (Image via Star Wars official website)

Actor Derek Arnold is credited with the role of Ki-Adi-Mundi in the series. Derek Arnold has also worked on projects like Jurassic World Dominion, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and Willow. The role of Ki-Adi-Mundi has been essayed by various actors in the past, including:

  • Silas Carson in all three of the original Star Wars prequels (The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith)
  • Brian George in Tales of the Jedi
  • Daran Norris in Star Wars: The Clone Wars
  • Paul Dobson in LEGO Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out

Fans can watch the show streaming on Disney+, with new episodes released every Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET.

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