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Star Wars Simply Canceled Its Most Progressive Present For the Worst Attainable Cause
The Acolyte was purported to shake up Star Wars. The sequence had a feminine showrunner in Leslye Headland and a Black lead in Amandla Stenberg, and a daring new setting: the final days of the Excessive Republic, 100 years earlier than Anakin Skywalker was born. The sequence additionally questioned our understanding of the Power, the Jedi, and the very foundations of Star Wars itself. It was a daring new imaginative and prescient for the franchise.
The Acolyte additionally ended on a daring cliffhanger, setting its foremost character on a path in the direction of the Darkish facet whereas lastly bringing one legendary Sith character into Star Wars live-action. So it might come as a disappointment (if maybe not a complete shock) to be taught that The Acolyte is canceled.
Deadline experiences that The Acolyte won’t be getting a second season. The report notes that though the present boasted robust streaming numbers within the first week, it struggled to maintain that momentum. The sequence additionally drew backlash from sure corners of the fanbase, which can clarify each that low viewership and this final determination.
The Acolyte was set a century earlier than the prequel sequence, an period by no means earlier than seen in Star Wars.
Lucasfilm
Whereas Lucasfilm hasn’t mentioned why the present was canceled (and sure by no means will), one attainable purpose appears apparent: the fan backlash. The Acolyte acquired usually favorable critiques (it has a 78% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes), however the response of the fanbase was polarizing (18% viewers rating on RT). Followers blamed Leslye Headland and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy for the present’s supposed poor characterization and pacing and, for sure followers, pushing a “woke agenda.” Even small issues, like altering Ki-Adi-Mundi’s questionably canon birthday grew to become a degree of competition.
However regardless of the fan response, The Acolyte delivered a strong finale with a serious tease of more to come. Sith Qimir and his acolyte Osha stood have been primed for a brand new journey, and even Darth Plagueis — the character The Acolyte’s harshest critics saved hoping would seem — made a cameo lurking within the shadows, alongside a quick look from a younger(er) Grasp Yoda.
The Acolyte utilized meticulously choreographed battle scenes all through.
Lucasfilm
It’s additionally value noting that The Acolyte’s cancelation is definitely the primary time Lucasfilm has really canceled a live-action Disney+ Star Wars present. The Mandalorian remains to be happening robust and getting a film — with the chance for one more season after that — whereas Ahsoka Season 2 is currently in development. Andor Season 2 premieres subsequent 12 months, which can mark the deliberate decision of its self-contained story. In the meantime, each The Guide of Boba Fett and Obi-Wan Kenobi stays in a type of limbo; neither is formally canceled, however they haven’t been renewed for seconds seasons but both. (Although, contemplating Obi-Wan Kenobi Season 1 is known as “the complete series,” it appears Lucasfilm might have quietly canceled that one with out ever admitting to it.)
As for The Acolyte, sadly, it appears we’ll by no means be taught what occurs subsequent to Osha, Qimir, and the remainder of the crew — or if we do it might be in a less expensive format like a comic book e book or novel.