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Showrunners Tank Entire ‘Star Wars’ Setting

Star Wars
Credit: Lucasfilm

Although  Star Wars: The Acolyte had the highest hopes, its reception and ratings have bombed it into oblivion. However, the volatile reaction from the audience might force Disney to pull the plug on an entire Star Wars era.

Amandla Stenberg stands outdoors, wearing a chainmail-like top with metal armor plating. They are looking upwards with a serious expression. The background features greenery with blurred palm leaves. The scene appears to be set in a forest or jungle environment.

Credit: Lucasfilm

Although it’s still a critical success, The Acolyte has almost entirely lost the core fanbase of the Star Wars galaxy. With a RottenTomatoes score of 14%, it currently sits as the worst-rated entry in the franchise.

Related: George Lucas Protests ‘Star Wars’ Release, Hopes to Block It From All Screens

No matter what planet you’re from, that’s not a good sign. After the recent drama surrounding the comments made by Kathleen Kennedy and series showrunner Leslye Headland, Disney might not just cancel a single show.

End of an Era: Star Wars Kills The High Republic

Three Jedi in robes stand ready, wielding never-before-seen Disney Star Wars lightsabers emitting green, yellow, and blue light in a dimly lit setting. The background features lush foliage and a rocky wall, suggesting a forest or cave environment. The scene is intense and full of vivid colors. star wars lightsaber the acolyte whip saber

Credit: Disney

As much as the show gets wrong for some viewers, one thing that The Acolyte truly gets right is the presentation of the High Republic Era. Set 100 years before the events of The Phantom Menace (1999), the High Republic was clearly meant to be a fresh take on the Star Wars mythos, and now we might never see it again.

Related: ‘Star Wars’ Offers an Explanation About Anakin Skywalker After Hayden Christensen Bids Emotional Farewell

Although Osha and Mae (Amandla Stenberg) are still involved in a murder plot involving Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae) and the rest of the Jedi Order, poor ratings and an outraged fanbase will undoubtedly end the setting for future spinoffs and films. Although there might be hope for it under anything Dave Filoni might cook up, it’s safe to say that these might be the last days of the Republic.

But Why?

A character with a complex, dark face painting, spiked protrusions on their forehead, and pointed ears is looking sternly to the left. They are wearing a dark, textured cloak. The background is dimly lit and blurred, evoking the mysterious aura of Episode 3 in Star Wars: The Acolyte.

Credit: Lucasfilm

Here’s the scenario: Disney has invested millions of dollars into the series (around $180 million). Since it’s currently the poorest-performing series in the entirety of the Star Wars brand, keeping it going would be a poor financial decision.

Related: Gina Carano ‘Mandalorian’ Lawsuit Fails as Disney Lawyers Hit Back

Although we can’t say for sure whether the series will be renewed, Leslye Headland has expressed she has “four or five other mysteries” she’d like to explore. Given how she has treated both the male audience and the LGBTQ+ community she claims to represent, the chances of seeing that happen are slim to none.

Amandla Stenberg stands outdoors, wearing a chainmail-like top with metal armor plating. They are looking upwards with a serious expression. The background features greenery with blurred palm leaves. The scene appears to be set in a forest or jungle environment.

Credit: Lucasfilm

The real victim of the entire saga is the High Republic Era as a whole realm. This was the perfect grounds for Lucasfilm creators to try out new things, experiment with effects, creatures, and environments, and tell a different story without being conformed to a strict set of canon that came in the eras that followed.

Related: ‘The Acolyte’ Lead is Worse Than Darth Vader

The Acolyte is only halfway through its initial run, but it will take a strong movement in the galaxy to fix this disturbance in the Force. Much more might be revealed before the season ends, but we need a new hope if we want to return to the High Republic again.

What did you think of the new Star Wars setting? Let us know in the comments down below!

About Zach Gass

Zach Gass is a writer from East Tennessee with a passion for all things under the Disney name. From Disney history to the careers of Mickey, Donald, and Goofy, Zach tries to keep his finger on the pulse of the mouse. While he would certainly love to see the parks around the globe, his home park will always be the Magic Kingdom of Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. When he's not rubbing elbows with Mickey, Zach enjoys reading fantasy novels, retro video games, theatre, puppetry, and the films of Tim Burton.

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