Lucasfilm’s journey through 2024 has been a whirlwind of victories and setbacks, with The Acolyte and Skeleton Crew stealing the spotlight in the ever-expanding Star Wars universe.
Back in June, The Acolyte turned heads as it delved into the twilight of the High Republic era, crafting a story rooted in the galaxy’s eternal struggle between light and dark. Helmed by creator Leslye Headland, the series promised an intriguing exploration of the Sith’s resurgence during the Jedi’s zenith.
The nine-episode Disney+ saga, however, quickly became the epicenter of controversy. While its ambition and diverse representation won praise from some corners, others decried the show as overly “woke,” sparking cultural debates reminiscent of the polarizing reception to Rian Johnson’s Star Wars: Episode VIII–The Last Jedi (2017). For some fans, it echoed broader grievances with Disney’s perceived “agenda.”
Featuring a standout cast, including Amandla Stenberg (Osha/Mae Aniseya), Lee Jung-jae (Jedi Master Sol), and Manny Jacinto (Qimir/The Stranger), the series tackled uncharted themes in the Star Wars mythos. Despite its innovative storytelling, The Acolyte struggled to maintain its audience, prompting Disney to quietly shelve plans for a second season.
“So as it relates to Acolyte, we were happy with our performance, but it wasn’t where we needed it to be given the cost structure of that title, quite frankly, to go and make a season two,” Disney’s Alan Bergman explained in an interview with Vulture.
The decision left fans divided. Supporters of The Acolyte criticized Lucasfilm for seemingly succumbing to online backlash, arguing that vocal detractors drowned out a devoted audience that embraced its daring approach. Cast members like Stenberg and Jodie Turner-Smith (Mother Aniseya) took to social media and interviews to address the toxic discourse.
Lee Jung-jae, speaking to Vanity Fair, shared his disappointment: “My feelings were hurt,” he revealed. “Especially for Leslye Headland—her feelings must have hurt a lot. I can only have faith that racism will end someday, even though it’s going to be hard.”
Meanwhile, Jung-jae is reportedly trading his Jedi robes for superhero attire. Rumors from scooper MTTSH, via Comic Book Movie, suggest the actor is in talks for an undisclosed role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While specifics remain under wraps, his global acclaim from Squid Game positions him as an enticing prospect for Disney’s mega-franchise.
On the Star Wars front, attention shifts to Skeleton Crew, the newest Disney+ series within the Mando-Verse. Dubbed “The Goonies in space,” this Jon Watts and Christopher Ford creation follows four young adventurers lost in the galaxy with Jude Law’s mysterious Force-wielder, Jod Na Nawood, guiding them.
Despite warm critical reception, Skeleton Crew has struggled to find its footing in viewership rankings. As Forbes reported, its double-episode premiere failed to crack Luminate’s top 10 streaming list, a stark contrast to The Acolyte’s debut, which reached #7.
Lucasfilm’s big-screen aspirations remain equally uncertain. Four years after J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019), fans are eagerly anticipating the May 2026 release of Jon Favreau’s The Mandalorian and Grogu movie, which promises to weave Din Djarin and Grogu’s journey into Dave Filoni’s ultimate crossover event.
Beyond that, whispers of Simon Kinberg’s rumored trilogy and Patty Jenkins’ revived Rogue Squadron hint at a chaotic but expansive cinematic roadmap. In the Vulture interview, Alan Bergman reassured fans: “We’re looking at a number of additional series that are in development. We’ll see what we decide to do. As I said earlier, they have to be great, and when we’re in the position where we think we have what we want, we’re going to move forward.”
For now, the fate of Skeleton Crew and Star Wars’ next chapter remains shrouded in mystery.
What do you think of the galaxy far, far away’s future? Let us know in the comments below!
