‘The Acolyte’ Tried Something New. Its Cancellation Doesn’t Bode Well for the Future of ‘Star Wars’

[Editor's note: This blog post reveals important details about the final episode of "The Acolyte" series.]

It seems like not too long ago, during the San Diego Comic-Con, Lucasfilm had big plans for "The Acolyte." But just recently, on August 19, Deadline broke the news that the Disney+ "Star Wars" prequel series has been axed.

It was surprising to see at Comic-Con on July 26 that Lucasfilm Publishing is putting a lot of effort into "The Acolyte." They announced many new tie-in books and comics related to the show. Random House Worlds will release a novel in 2025 by Justina Ireland featuring Jedi Master Vernestra Rwoh and Master Indara. In February 2025, the Wookiee Jedi Master Kelnacca will be introduced in Marvel's ongoing "The High Republic" comic book series. In July 2025, there will be a young adult novel focusing on Yord and Jecki from "The Acolyte." This shows that the cancellation of "The Acolyte" is not being considered by Lucasfilm. Just a couple of weekends ago, the show was prominently featured at D23, including an on-stage Q&A with Manny Jacinto.

However, it has been announced that the show has been canceled. This is disappointing considering the exciting cliffhanger that left viewers on the edge of their seats, with Amandla Stenberg's character turning to the dark side and joining Jacinto's Sith Lord. The introduction of Darth Plagueis and a brief appearance of Master Yoda hinted at even more intriguing storylines to come. Set 100 years before "The Phantom Menace," the show had the potential for a wide range of possibilities for showrunner Leslye Headland to explore without the constraints of existing canon.

More than just giving hints about the show's direction or tie-ins to published works, "The Acolyte" was the final result of an initiative by Lucasfilm Publishing called "The High Republic." This initiative explored the peak of the Jedi's power before they began to lose influence to the Sith. Before "The Acolyte," there were many books and comics released as part of "The High Republic," setting the stage for the show. Planned for over three and a half years, "The Acolyte" was meant to tie up loose ends and delve into the story of the Sith's return to challenge the Jedi once again.

"The Acolyte" is finished now. Headland was very confident when she spoke to Sarah Shachat from IndieWire in July about her dreams for the future and the stories she could create next. Unfortunately, those plans will not come to fruition. However, fans have a history of persuading Lucasfilm to tell previously planned stories in alternative ways. For example, the #SaveCloneWars movement led to a new season of the show on Disney+ and stories that were meant for the screen being told through books and other media. It seems that the influence of fans is not as strong as before, making it difficult to envision a #SaveTheAcolyte campaign due to the challenges of casting and filming a live-action TV show.

What is most concerning about this cancellation is the eerie feeling it brings. "The Acolyte" may not have been perfect, with issues in pacing, inconsistencies in tone, and characters changing motivations suddenly. However, it was one of the most ambitious and thrilling "Star Wars" series since Season 1 of "Andor." As noted by IndieWire's Proma Khosla, it generated a significant online buzz, comparable to the excitement around CGI Luke Skywalker and Baby Yoda in December 2020.

"The Acolyte" generated a lot of excitement because it took some bold risks: it introduced a group of queer witches in space; it expanded on the history of the Sith, leading to intense speculation about the identity of the Sith Lord; when it was revealed to be Manny Jacinto's character, also known as Qimir, it linked him to Darth Plagueis; and it continued the trend of the prequel trilogy and "The Last Jedi" in questioning the Jedi order. It wasn't just about praising the Jedi; it delved deeply into the consequences of spirituality in a structured system that could be easily manipulated by dark forces. It also introduced us to new characters in an unexplored part of the "Star Wars" universe. This universe is vast, much larger than just the Skywalkers, and "The Acolyte" embraced that, similar to how "Andor" did.

Tony Gilroy didn't have to stress about "Andor" getting cancelled because he only planned for it to have two seasons. "Skeleton Crew" seems ambitious, which might not sit well with some fans. Other series like "Ahsoka" and "The Mandalorian" are all leading up to something big: the unique adaptation of Timothy Zahn's "Heir to the Empire," following Grand Admiral Thrawn's battle against the New Republic after "Return of the Jedi." This story will unfold across different projects in the years to come, including the film "The Mandalorian and Grogu."

Oh boy. "The Mandalorian and Grogu." Just hearing the name makes it seem like we already know all there is to know about this show. In the past, "Star Wars" titles like "The Phantom Menace" and "Attack of the Clones" left room for interpretation, embracing pulp fiction while still keeping an air of mystery. "The Mandalorian and Grogu" doesn't leave much to the imagination; it's straightforward and lacks that sense of intrigue. While "Star Wars" has always had a playful side, catering to a younger audience, the focus on Baby Yoda in recent years feels like a step too far. It's all about playing it safe, sticking to what's worked before. This franchise seems more interested in keeping fans happy than taking risks and telling compelling stories. Once "Andor" is done, it's likely that "Star Wars" will fully embrace the Marvel approach, churning out new installments that fit neatly together like puzzle pieces, lacking the substance of real storytelling.

The long-lasting popularity of "Star Wars" makes the cancellation of "The Acolyte" even more disappointing. There are so many possibilities within the "Star Wars" universe, but it looks like the future of the franchise will be limited to a very familiar MCU-style. How can a franchise stay fresh when it continues to rely on the same old stories or recycled ideas from the past? It appears that "Star Wars" has run out of new ideas for now.