Lucasfilm has opted not to renew The Acolyte, a Disney+ Star Wars series that ended its first season last month. Despite positive reviews from reviewers, the program received negative reaction from the audience, resulting in an 18% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. 🍅. Some fans accused the program of being "woke" and targeted creator Leslye Headland, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and the series' diverse cast. 🌈
"It's heartbreaking to think that being gay could be seen as a negative," Headland told THR in June. 😔 The Acolyte was more than simply a show; it was her most important work of art. 🎨
In June, star Amandla Stenberg replied to the controversy with a powerful original song released on social media, which addressed the racist insults directed against the series. 🎶 "It was an easy target," said a source, attributing the dispute to the show's final termination and emphasizing how it impacted public opinion. 😞.
The Acolyte, set about 100 years before Star Wars: Episode I—The Phantom Menace, told the story of twin sisters Osha and Mae, portrayed by Stenberg. Osha was a former Padawan of a distinguished Jedi Master, and Mae was linked with the Dark Side. 🌑✨
The series had an amazing cast, including Lee Jung-jae, Charlie Barnett, Dafne Keen, Rebecca Henderson, Jodie Turner-Smith, Carrie-Anne Moss, Manny Jacinto, Dean Charles Chapman, and Joonas Suotamo. 🌟 The season finale suggested numerous fascinating stories, including the potential reappearance of the legendary figure Yoda. 🛸 Jacinto's malevolent character, The Stranger, became a fan favorite and even had his own life-size helmet from Hasbro. 🎭
The show's ratings fell short of projections, prompting Lucasfilm to cancel the second season. 📉 The changing streaming market and declining popularity of the Star Wars franchise also had an impact. 🌠