Summary
- Fans launch #RenewTheAcolyte campaign to support show’s world-building, characters, lightsaber fights, and rich story.
- Audiences praise performances of Amandla Stenberg and Manny Jacinto, calling them a driving force for new fans in Star Wars universe.
- Despite review bombing, critics and some fans see potential in The Acolyte, hoping for renewal and creator Leslye Headland aims for three seasons.
Despite the major review bombing campaign that has plighted the latest Star Wars series The Acolyte, it seems there are just as many fans who want to see the show continue as wanted to see it end before it had even begun. A new, positive campaign has now launched, with #RenewTheAcolyte now trending on X/Twitter. Fans have taken to social media to call for the Disney+ series to be renewed for a second season, with many eager for more from the Star Wars franchise’s High Republic era.
“#RenewTheAcolyte this show has done some of the most impressive world building, complex character moments, phenomenal lightsaber choreography, and a rich story that needs to be expanded upon,” says one fan, with another adding, “Disney should #RenewTheAcolyte and embrace that the haters are no longer their target audience. New stories with new characters are more sustainable, but not if you cancel them after just one season!!”
The main reason why many Star Wars fans want to see the show continue is thanks to the performances and chemistry between Amandla Stenberg and Manny Jacinto, with audiences desperate to see them continue to light up the small screen and see their story evolve further. One fan even credited the pair for bringing “so many new fans to the Star Wars universe, I’ve never seen such a passionate fandom for a new SW story in a very long time.”
Will The Acolyte Return for More Despite the Review Bombing?
The Acolyte has been the latest target of review-bombers, with the series now sitting at just 14% from audiences on the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes and just 3.5/10 on IMDb. Critics, however, have responded to the show very differently, with the series achieving a rating of 80% on RT and the consensus reading, “Taking fresh risks with Star Wars lore while having infectious fun playing with the stylistic trappings of a galaxy far, far away, The Acolyte is a Padawan series with the potential to become a Master.” And some fans have addressed the naysayers directly with their calls to #RenewTheAcolyte.
Related
The Acolyte Isn’t the Best New Star Wars Show, but It’s a Step in the Right Direction
It’s not a perfect show, but The Acolyte does make many positive strides for the Star Wars franchise, which should be reason for optimism.
It is currently unknown whether The Acolyte will be renewed for a second season, and things are currently up in the air. However, creator and showrunner Leslye Headland has revealed that she would like to see the show continue for at least three seasons. Speaking with Collider recently, she said…
“At least three. At least. I mean, I’d love to keep doing it forever. This is my dream job. I’m saying three because I’m hoping they’ll allow me to do that, but if I could snap my fingers, it would just be, this is my job until I retire. I actually can’t think of a higher creative or career peak than working on Star Wars. So, I really am good. I don’t really need to do anything else.”
Starring Amandla Stenberg, Lee Jung-jae, Charlie Barnett, Dafne Keen, Rebecca Henderson, Jodie Turner-Smith, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Manny Jacinto, The Acolyte follows a former Padawan who reunites with her Jedi Master to investigate a series of crimes.
The Acolyte
is available to stream on Disney+.