Disney Surprises Fans with Cancellation of New Star Wars Series
In a move that has left many Star Wars fans puzzled, Disney has decided to cancel one of its latest original series on Disney+. “The Acolyte,” a Star Wars series with a promising start, will not be returning for a second season, as reported by Deadline.
Since Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012, the Star Wars franchise has been a significant asset, launching both blockbuster movies and popular series on Disney’s streaming platform, Disney+. “The Acolyte,” directed by Leslye Headland, premiered in June and concluded its first season by July 16. Despite initial success, including strong viewership numbers and making history as the first Star Wars series created by a woman, the show faced mixed reactions. It garnered a 78% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes but only an 18% audience score. Meanwhile, IMDb reflected a similar sentiment, with a 4.1 overall rating based on user votes.
“The Acolyte” boasted significant initial viewership, with 4.8 million views on its first day and 11.1 million globally in the first five days. It even ranked as the top Disney+ series premiere. However, viewership dropped sharply, and by the finale, Nielsen recorded 335 million minutes — potentially the lowest for a Star Wars series finale.
Despite the cancellation, there is still plenty for Star Wars enthusiasts to look forward to. Upcoming projects include the fourth season of “The Mandalorian,” a movie titled “The Mandalorian & Grogu,” and additional seasons of fan favorites “Ahsoka” and “Andor.” New series “Skeleton Crew” is set to debut on December 3.
Although it’s been a while since Disney released a new Star Wars movie in theaters, there are plans for future films, including a project featuring Daisy Ridley’s Rey, with “The Mandalorian & Grogu” scheduled for a 2026 release.
What are your thoughts on Disney’s decision to cancel “The Acolyte”? Share your opinions in the comments below and let’s keep the conversation going!
Source: Chris Katje
