When Star Wars began with A New Hope, it was initially a science fiction film that trod on a slew of fantasy tropes to create one of the biggest IPs in the history of the world. As it grew, the lore of the IP was deepened as creators began to build around the Original Trilogy.
This would require creators who wanted to be a part of Star Wars to have a good understanding of the universe, its rules, its history, and how it functions. But for some reason, The Acolyte decided it needed a Star Wars novice in its writer’s room.
Leslye Headland believed The Acolyte needed a non-fan voice
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, showrunner and head writer for The Acolyte, Leslye Headland, revealed why she wanted a writer who knew nothing about Star Wars in the writer’s room, and why it was important that this writer steer the conversations about characters in the show. She revealed:
Yeah, I just thought it would be good to have the perspective of a person that had literally never seen Star Wars until she was in the room. And she said to me, “Why do you want me in this room? I’ve never seen Star Wars. I have no idea. I think there’s a dog in it, but I don’t know anything.” And I was like, “First of all, you’re an incredible writer, but that’s why I want you here.
I want you to be questioning narrative. I don’t want myself, who’s a lifelong fan, to just be relying on particular references in order to create emotional beats. I want those emotional beats to be earned and checked by someone that isn’t super familiar with it.”
There seems to be a need for Star Wars properties of late to think about and write for audiences that are not necessarily the core group of fans for the IP. The franchise seems awfully obsessed with breaking new ground when it comes to fandom, to the point where it has managed to alienate a slew of hardcore fans, who just don’t care what the IP is trying to do anymore.
The Acolyte might have turned the remaining Star Wars fans away from the IP
There are some who think this was the right idea for the franchise, but as far as the show is concerned, it has failed to materialize any sort of meaningful content for fans of Star Wars. The Acolyte is being thrashed on the internet for its canon-breaking stories, which contradict not just what was established by the EU (which can still be manipulated), but what is considered Canon in the Star Wars universe.
This has got to be a joke… right?
— Milk_to_the_0 (@MilkMan903) June 12, 2024
is this satire?
— PinoyGamer 🇵🇭 (@pinoygamerph) June 12, 2024
“Had never seen Star Wars”
How did she get hired?!
— TheColeBrew (@TheColeBrewTv) June 12, 2024
Is this a sarcastic headline ?
— szn (@FauSzn) June 12, 2024
I thought this was a troll post. I was wrong.
— CrazyCactusEnt (@CrazyCactusEnt) June 12, 2024
Lore experts such as Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau have been able to craft masterful extensions of the Star Wars universe, be it in live-action or animated form.
While their projects might have employed those who knew nothing about Star Wars, they were never steering the conversation when it came to what the final product was going to look like. While there have been rare gems like Tony Gilroy, who have masterfully done a Star Wars story justice, like Andor, it’s a matter of fact that good storytellers who understand the lore have yielded a better product for the IP, one that caters to the fans above everything else.
The Acolyte is currently streaming on Disney+
