The sudden cancellation of “The Acolyte” last week sent shockwaves through the “Star Wars” universe, with the show being the first Disney+ title for Lucasfilm to nix entirely. But the move didn’t surprise “Acolyte” star Amandla Stenberg, and she’s becoming increasingly vocal about the “rampage” of “hyper-conservative bigotry and vitrol, prejudiced hatred, and hateful language” she’s had to endure from the “Star Wars” fanbase ever since the show’s initial announcement.
EW reports that Stenberg took to Instagram yesterday to share her thoughts on the show’s cancellation in a 10-part story. “I’m gonna be transparent and say it’s not a huge shock for me [that it was canceled],’ said the actress. “For those who aren’t aware, there has been a rampage of vitriol that we have faced since the show was announced…when it was still just a concept and no one had even seen it.”
According to Stenberg, the show faced vicious backlash from fans from the get-go. “We started experiencing a rampage of, I would say hyper-conservative bigotry and vitriol, prejudiced hatred, and hateful language towards us,” she continued. “This really affected me when I first got the job, because even though I anticipated it happening, it’s not something you can fully understand what it feels like until it happens to you.”
In response, Stenberg vowed to speak out against the harsh criticism however she could. “For me it became a situation where there was no option but for me to honor my sense of ethics and belief system,” said the actress. “It became inarguable for me at a certain point that in order to continue to be myself, I would have to honor my value system by being vocal, even within the context of working for Disney and working within the large, massive IP that is Star Wars.”
Stenberg starred in “The Acolyte” as twins Osha and Mae, powerful Jedi in training but on opposing sides of the Force. Set in the High Republic about a century before the events of “The Phantom Menace,” the show followed a Jedi master investigating a series of crimes, leading him back to a former Padawan and a sinister plot to take control of the galaxy. “The Acolyte” stormed out of the gate on its premiere but quickly lost its viewership after the first few episodes. And despite several reviews praising the show’s diverse cast and unconventional take on the “Star Wars” universe, more toxic fanbase members review-bombed the series with negative criticism.
Thus it comes with little surprise that Lucasfilm would scuttle the show’s future, although the fate “The Acolyte” was up in the air before it premiered. Back in June, EW asked creator Leslye Headland if fans should expect a Season 2, with Headland responding she had heard “nothing” yet about a series renewal. Now that it’s over, other cast members have come forward lamenting the show’s end. Star Lee Jung-jae told EW that he was “surprised” by the cancellation, and praised Headland’s storytelling skills. Stenberg had similar comments about Headland, saying she’s “one of the best people in the world…she’s so incredibly talented and unique..I will love this experience with her forever.”
Still, “The Acolyte” is no more, and its cancellation foretells something essential about the future of “Star Wars.” Fans shouldn’t expect anything as daring as Headland’s vision in any of the upcoming films, nor should they anticipate someone ever receiving her level of creative control on a future “Star Wars” project. Will that choice breed creative cohesion? Sure, but it’ll also keep “Star Wars” a safe piece of popular entertainment; a brand that’s afraid to remix itself after nearly five decades. That may keep certain toxic fans happy, but will that choice allow “Star Wars” to maintain both its popularity and cultural relevance?