“This is another way of saying it will be trash”: Amandla Stenberg’s Remarks on The Acolyte Has Rian Johnson’s Star Wars Written All Over That Might Upset Fans

Amandla Stenberg, in a recent interview, talked about her upcoming movie The Acolyte. Star Wars has one of the most dedicated fanbases in pop culture history, with fans clinging to beloved stories and characters for over 40 years now. So when a new Star Wars project dares to shake things up too much, it often faces intense scrutiny from fans. This brings us to rising Stenberg and her new Star Wars Disney+ series, The Acolyte.

What Exactly Is Amandla Stenberg Trying to Say About The Acolyte?

In a recent interview with Magazine C, Stenberg admitted feeling “a little more trepidation than I thought” about joining the Star Wars universe. She even referenced controversial Star Wars director Rian Johnson, saying The Acolyte “tries to honor the ethos of Star Wars and also challenge them, hopefully harmoniously.” Her comments sound eerily similar to Rian Johnson’s approach to The Last Jedi, which aimed to subvert Star Wars tropes but ended up deeply dividing fans.

What Jaden Smith’s girlfriend, Amandla Stenberg, said about The Acolyte does seem concerning for hardcore fans: 

“In the context of the Star Wars universe, it’s a time of great peace, theoretically. It’s also a time of an institution, and it’s a time in which conceptions around the Force are very strict. And I think what we’re trying to explore within our show is when an institution has a singular conception of how power can be used…we try to provide a lot of different perspectives and answers to that question.”

Essentially, Stenberg indicates the show will challenge the traditional Star Wars view of the Force and the Jedi Order. She wants to depict the Jedi and the Force in more complex, nuanced ways compared to past Star Wars tales.

While more depth and new perspectives sound enticing on paper, Star Wars fans are very protective over the franchise’s core mythos. Is The Acolyte playing with fire by questioning the very nature of the force itself?

Should Star Wars Fans Feel Concerned About The Acolyte?

The Acolyte is already venturing into uncharted territory as the first Star Wars project set in the “High Republic” timeline, 200 years before the Skywalker saga. Having an unfamiliar setting with all-new characters is risky enough for traditionalist Star Wars fans.

But, according to Amandla Stenberg, The Acolyte also aims to challenge fan expectations around Star Wars icons like the Jedi and the Force. Stenberg’s remarks about “honoring” yet also “challenging” the ethos of Star Wars is clearly meant to invoke Rian Johnson’s controversial approach to The Last Jedi.

While some fans appreciated The Last Jedi’s ambitious deconstructions of Star Wars, many rejected its subversive take and tone. Here are a few fan reactions: 

This is another way of saying it will be trash and it’s the viewers’ fault.

— мя тωєєт 𓂀 (@audit_le_grand) February 27, 2024

I’m just hoping this show isn’t disappointing

— Truly Pete (72%)👽 🔜 Some Rave Eventually (@AStateofPete) February 26, 2024

disney has ruined star wars and yet people are having a positive reaction to this quote… wild times

— NoCapStrikesBack (@notacap) February 27, 2024

Yo, why mess with the classics? Star Wars is a legend, and playing with the Force? Risky vibes, folks!

— mariaaa goth💙 (@MariaaaGoth) February 26, 2024

If The Acolyte goes down a similar “subverting expectations” path in order to say something new about Star Wars lore, Backlash seems probable with certain fans. Ultimately, is it wise for The Acolyte to overtly question the very nature of the Force and the Jedi? That may depend on whether you think Star Wars should cling to tradition or keep evolving.