Warning! The Following Contains SPOILERS fromThe Acolyte.
Despite his character’s mastery of the Force, which includes some Jedi’s ability to see future events, actorLee Jung-jaehimself “was quite surprised” whenThe Acolytewas canceled controversially after one season on Disney+. Creator and showrunnerLeslye Headland’shighly scrutinizedStar Warsseries ended with Jung-jae’s Jedi character, Master Sol, succumbing to a Darth Vader-esque Force choke during what has become the contentious series finale. But even though his character was killed, Jung-jae was still taken aback when news broke thatThe Acolytewouldn’t be renewed for Season 2. Jung-jae said in an interview withEntertainment Weekly:
To hear the news, I was quite surprised personally as well.
The Acolyte
Star Wars series that take viewers into a galaxy of shadowy secrets and emerging dark-side powers in the final days of the High Republic era.
Among the many controversial choicesThe Acolytemade was without question the decision to kill off so many of its central characters. But when Osha (Amandla Stenberg) choked the life out of Master Sol (Jung-jae), the Disney+ series wasn’t just killing off one of its most intriguing Jedi — it was offingSquid Game’sCritics Choice, SAG and Primetime Emmy Award-winning actor. Jung-Jae said during the same sit-down:
“My character had died already in the first season.So, I wouldn’t have appeared in the second season if there was one anyway.But personally speaking, I really loved Leslye’s writing.I thought that she was a great writer and director who was very talented in the storytelling,as well as creating characters and creating meaningful structures within the story.So, I was actually personally really looking forward to watching a Season 2 with her at the helm.”
Lee Jung-jae Holds Out Hope Despite The Acolyte’s Cancelation
One of the most disturbing aftershocks to come as a result of the Disney+ series’ cancelation is theOrder 66-like purging of someAcolytemerchandise,despite a momentum-gaining fan petition, as if someone is trying to wipe out all memory of Headland’s show. Regardless of the attempt to try and bury the small-screenStar Warssaga, actor Lee Jung-jae is surprisingly still hopeful thatThe Acolytecould continue despite Season 2 not being greenlit. Jung-jae said in the same interview:
Honestly, I am hoping that maybe there could be changes in the future, because you never know what’s going to happen. So, on a personal level, I really hope we could get to see further stories of Leslye’s second season.
Acolyte Creator Finally Confirms Stranger’s Master Is SPOILER
Leslye Headland officially reveals that Qimir is the Sith apprentice of a fan-favorite Star Wars character.
Even before the show was canceled,Acolyteshowrunner Leslye Headland already regrettednot exploring Jedi Master Vernestra Rwoh’s (Rebecca Henderson) backstory. But the shock wave barreling over those who worked so hard on the project following the finale of theStar Warsseries reaches far beyond those limits. The fandom is obviously feuding, and even celebrities like the MCU’s Simu Liu are getting involved in the heated conversation. Shang-Chi himself posted the following toThe Acolytestar Manny Jacinto’s Instagram:
Justice for Manny!! Bro you were so effing good in this show and the dedication was so apparent. Bigger and brighter things ahead. Rooting for you always ❤️
While the show won’t continue, and for those who haven’t had the opportunity to check it out yet, all eight episodes ofThe Acolyteare available to stream and/or binge-watch onDisney+at the time of this writing. TheStar Warsshow is at its lightsaber-dueling best in “Night,” which is the fifth episode of the short-lived small-screen saga.
