Star Wars‘ latest and daring series, The Acolyte, has just been canceled after a single season. Throughout its run, the show fell victim to immense fan hate and negative review bombing, which may or may not have led to its cancellation. While hard-core fans of the space opera franchise are certainly disappointed and grieving, even the cast of the show is shocked.
South Korean star and Emmy winner Lee Jung-jae recently addressed the show’s cancellation, sharing his hopes for the future of its themes and storyline within the Star Wars universe.
Lee Jung-jae on Star Wars’ The Acolyte Cancelation
One might say that The Acolyte was ahead of its time, daring and willing to go into territories previously unexplored. Yet, as per fans, despite its willingness to reveal the ‘unseen’ parts of the Star Wars universe, it was its shoddy and messy writing that made many aversive to the series.
And so for various reasons, The Acolyte has been canceled. While some fans of the series are upset, others more or less expected this outcome, but one of the actors from the series’ diverse cast, Lee Jung-jae, is shocked. Starring as Master Sol, the Jedi unfortunately met his death at the hands of his former Padawan Osha in the first season.
So while he was not expected to return in the now-canceled second season of the series, the Squid Games star was looking forward to seeing Leslye Headland‘s storytelling. In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Lee stated,
To hear the news, I was quite surprised personally as well.
Speaking of the second season, the Emmy-winning actor remarked,
I really loved Leslye’s writing. I thought that she was a great writer and director who was very talented in the storytelling, as well as creating characters and creating meaningful structures within the story. So I was actually personally really looking forward to watching a season 2 with her at the helm.
The South Korean actor underwent tremendous preparation to nail his role, that at one point even left his tongue injured (see YouTube). While being in a Star Wars project is a challenge on its own, Lee also had to learn English to convincingly play the part. His first-ever English-language role, Lee had but four months to perfect everything (via Forbes).
Lee Jung-jae is Hopeful The Acolyte Will Get Another Chance
The Acolyte was more of an origin story about the Jedi masters and the Dark Side than it was a complete tale. Leaving several questions unanswered and introducing one of the best Star Wars villains of all time, the show might now remain a tale unfulfilled. As fans lament the loss, Squid Games star Lee Jung-jae remains hopeful.
While talking to Entertainment Weekly, the actor revealed he is not ready to let go of the hope that the show might return in some form or shape in the future.
Honestly, I am hoping that maybe there could be changes in the future. Because you never know what’s going to happen. So on a personal level, I really hope we could get to see further stories of Leslye’s second season.
A hope that might never come to fruition, Lee’s statement is in line with what fans have been hoping for. Even if The Acolyte does not return for a second season, many hope that the many questions it left unanswered will be addressed through some or other live-action project.
The Acolyte is available to be streamed on Disney+.
