One of the most controversial Star Wars projects to date, Leslye Headland’s The Acolyte has met an unfortunate end as the series has not been renewed for a second season. Poised to usher in a new era for the George Lucas-created franchise and herald a new lore for Disney’s Star Wars, the show has received mixed reviews at best.
While fans found more to hate than to love, there was one element that even die-hard fans of the space opera franchise loved: the show’s increased focus on the dark side and featuring one of the most badass dark side users. But the negative wave of criticism and swirls of controversy have drowned this ship before it could even embark.
Star Wars Fans Lost One of the Best Dark Side Users with The Acolyte’s Cancelation
Throughout its run, The Acolyte suffered a most insufferable fan hate across social media. The reason was not only because it lacked coherent storytelling but more because of its increased dabbling with ‘woke’ nature and challenging the established norms of the George Lucas-created franchise.
Containing a stellar cast with Amandla Stenberg in the lead, the show had a few well-placed cameos, interesting characters, and several mysteries to solve. But it did not manage to explore any of it, thus, making it an ‘origin’ show. A feature that fans also criticized, this tsunami of fan hate that the show received has ended any hope that these will be explored in future Star Wars projects.
While many Star Wars fans are perhaps okay with these loopholes and cliffhangers not being explored, they lament the loss of one of the best villains in the Disney era: Manny Jacinto‘s The Stranger. One of the most badass dark side users and a highly riveting character, his appearance in the show made it 10x better.
Although Jacinto’s good looks did make many start watching the show, it was more of the way his character was written as a mysterious Sith Lord that made him the best thing about the series. Despite The Acolyte not being renewed for a second season (via Deadline), many still hope they get to see him on screen someday.
Star Wars Fans Lament the Loss of Manny Jacinto’s Sith Lord
Nobody had anticipated that Manny Jacinto’s Qimir would turn out to be so integral for The Acolyte and one of the best parts of the series. Starring as a mysterious Sith Lord, Jacinto outshone some of the biggest actors in the entertainment industry with his immaculate portrayal.
A dark side user with a past that no one knows, his entrance made things way better and convinced many Star Wars fans to start watching The Acolyte despite its negative fan reviews. Having made the best use of the actor after wasting several actors and their talents in ‘worthless’ roles, Disney finally got something right only to end up canceling it.
After the news of The Acolyte being canceled went viral, this is what fans had to say:
The Acolyte being cancelled is just another example of toxic internet hate. The show never got a chance to breathe and half the people hating on it never even watched an episode.
It’s not my favorite piece of Star Wars content but it certainly didn’t deserved to be axed. pic.twitter.com/xAb8BTRT0D
— Alec🦇 (@alecsm7) August 19, 2024
So you’re telling me we all have to forget about one of the sickest Star Wars dark side users we’ve gotten in years?#TheAcolyte pic.twitter.com/pHo9ojd7Zi
— BLURAYANGEL 🦇 (@blurayangel) August 19, 2024
this was the best part of the Acolyte, the dark side
— Scott Ecko (@ecko_scott) August 20, 2024
TBH I knew it was over when only books were announced at Celebration. We finally get a dark side story (and OMG Manny Jacinto doing his best work) and this is how it ends. Fuck the toxic haters. They’re so annoying that they convinced casual viewers The Acolyte wasn’t worth it.
— Bons (@Bons_On_Ice) August 19, 2024
I never thought I’d end up on the dark side until now! You’ve given us an amazing, intense show, a lovely dark romance couple, fantastic lightsaber fights, an interesting story, and great performances. We need season two!!! #RenewTheAcolyte @Disney @starwars @OfficialAcolyte pic.twitter.com/bqGiESUQFk
— MJ🖤The Acolyte 🔥🔥 #RenewTheAcolyte #Oshamir (@Marthamjj158) August 17, 2024
While Disney’s cancelation might have a lot to do with the show’s huge budget and falling viewership (see Forbes), the negative fan reactions and criticisms must have played a vital role in the decision. As some fans continue to celebrate, many others have been asking the House of Mouse to give the show another chance in the hope of seeing Manny Jacinto back on screen.
As Dinsey continues to develop its Star Wars universe, we do home Jacinto’s Sith Lord gets another chance to show off his dark side again!
The Acolyte season one is streaming on Disney+.
