Star Wars: The Acolyte’s cancelation has me seriously worried about the future ofStar Warsand its most exciting upcoming movie.The Acolytemarked an important step forStar Wars. Not only was it the first live-action Disney+ show set during theHigh Republic era, an era of theStar Warstimelinepreviously only explored in publishing and children’s animation, but it was also the first live-action project to take place outside the all-encompassing Skywalker andMandaloriansagas. Understandably,Star Warshas been fixated on those two eras as they have always proven successful in the past, butThe Acolytepromised something new.
Sadly, that promise will now never be fulfilled. Though the first season ofThe Acolytewas divisive, there was definite potential for more. Now thatThe Acolytehas officially been canceled, however – the first live-actionStar Warsshowto face this fate, asThe Book of Boba Fettis technically still in limbo – it’s made me question howStar Warswill move forward in the future, and whether the franchise is truly brave enough to give audiences something entirely new. In fact,I’m worried about one upcomingStar Warsproduction in particular, the most exciting one the franchise has announced in recent years.
New Star Wars Movies: Every Upcoming Movie & Release Date
Here’s every upcoming Star Wars movie in development - including Rey’s New Jedi Order, the Dawn of the Jedi, and The Mandalorian & Grogu!
The Acolyte’s Cancelation Sets A Dangerous Precedent For Star Wars
No matter how you feel aboutThe Acolyte, whether you loved it or not, there’s no denying this cancelation sets a dangerous precedent for the franchise.The first major live-action production in years to dive into a relatively unexploredStar Warsera was axed mere weeks after it finished airing, with Disney reportedly citing low viewership as the main cause.How will this affect Lucasfilm’s decision-making in the future? What lesson will they take away from this?
So far, Disney+’sStar Warsofferings – exceptStar Wars: The Bad Batch, which was tied to the thoroughly explored Clone Wars era – have been fixated on the New Republic. To giveStar Warsits due, beforeThe Mandalorian,Boba Fett, andAhsokacame along, this era was relatively underexplored within the franchise, too. Now, however, it’s become one ofStar Wars’most interconnected periods, with Ahsoka Tano meeting Grogu and Din Djarin, Grogu training with Luke Skywalker, andStar Wars Rebels’Ghost Crew gearing up for another fight against Grand Admiral Thrawn.
Surely, withThe Acolyte, Lucasfilm was hoping to have another hit likeThe Mandalorianon its hands, a show so successful and universally beloved it could launch another batch of intertwined shows and movies for years to come.
Surely, withThe Acolyte, Lucasfilm was hoping to have another hit likeThe Mandalorianon its hands, a show so successful and universally beloved it could launch another batch of intertwined shows and movies for years to come. Clearly, that hasn’t happened. So, what’s next? Will we only be getting more New Republic-era content from now on? Will the franchise pitch another Rebellion-related show afterAndorcomes to an end? I’m worried they won’t be willing to try again.I’m concerned Disney and Lucasfilm’s fear of failure will lead them to rethink the oneStar Warsmovie that will be trying something new, too.
Is The Franchise And Its Audience Ready For James Mangold’s Dawn Of The Jedi?
IfThe Acolyte, set at the tail-end of an already established era, can’t succeed, will Lucasfilm believe that a movie likeJames Mangold’sStar Wars: Dawn of the Jedican? Announced atStar WarsCelebration London,James Mangold’sDawn of the Jedihas been described as a biblical epic, a film inspired byThe Ten Commandmentsthat will look at the origins of the Force, the Jedi, and the largerStar Warsgalaxy. There’s so much we don’t know yet. This movie could provide so many answers.
Everything Star Wars Has Revealed About The Jedi Origin In Canon
Star Wars' upcoming movie will reveal the true origin of the Jedi Order… and here’s everything that’s been revealed in canon to date!
In the hands of an accomplished director like Mangold, this film is an undeniably exciting prospect – it can blow the franchise wide open, alter our understanding of the lore, and hopefully prove to Lucasfilm that risks like this are worth taking. I can’t help but feel apprehensive, though. Since Mangold joined Kathleen Kennedy on stage at Celebration, very little has been revealed about the film, whereas the other movies announced that day, includingThe Mandalorian & GroguandStar Wars: New Jedi Order, have at least been talked about in the news, withThe Mandalorian & Grogulikely having started production by now.
The Mandalorian and Groguis set to be released on Jul 23, 2025.New Jedi OrderandDawn of the Jedi’s release dates have yet to be confirmed.
In the years since theStar Warssequel trilogy concluded with the ever-divisiveStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,Star Wars’cinematic future has been stuck in a holding pattern, with numerous directors and creatives coming and going and projects being announced and subsequently canceled a few months later. Rian Johnson’sStar Warstrilogy is still nowhere to be seen.At this point, until something actually arrives in theaters, I’m having a hard time trusting that these movies will truly get made – especiallyDawn of the Jedi.
When these three films were announced at SWC in London, it felt like a fresh start. Finally,Star Warswas coming back to the big screen. I just hope thatStar Warswill also return to the big screen to explore the ancient galaxy rather than solely clinging to the New Republic era and the Skywalker legacy. Something needs to give. IfThe Acolytecouldn’t provide a new jumping-off point, hopefullyDawn of the Jedistill can.
Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi
Announced at Star Wars Celebration in 2023, Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi is a prequel focusing on the first-ever Jedi. Taking place 25,000 before Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, Dawn of the Jedi will explore the events set prior to the Old Republic and the Disney+ series, The Acolyte.
Star Wars Needs To Expand Its Horizons If It Wants To Survive And Grow
At this point,Star Warsis at risk of repeating itself, over and over again. That’s not to say that I haven’t enjoyed most of whatStar Warshas produced in recent years – on the contrary, I have. But I also recognize that, while Grand Admiral Thrawn is an undeniably compelling villain, bringing him back to live-action is an easy way to generate interest among an already interested fanbase. Giving Ahsoka Tano a live-action show and including the Ghost Crew was a surefire way to lure inStar Warsanimation fans. Allowing Rey’s story to continue will please the sequel trilogy fans.
Business-wise, all these decisions make sense – to a certain extent.Creatively, though, Lucasfilm is restricting itself. The only project currently in (hopefully active) development that can truly bring something new to the table isDawn of the Jedi. This franchise needs new stories and new characters if it wants to survive and grow. Recycling the same periods, characters, and conflicts again and again will not please anyone in the end, even those who claim to protect George Lucas’ legacy.
Creating a cinematic universe is all well and good, but if there’s too much “homework” standing in the way of a potential viewer becoming engaged with the material, its audience will never be able to expand.
One of the reasonsThe Acolytewas an important step forStar Warswas that it was a show that anyone, regardless of their previous history with the franchise, could tune into and understand. Creating a cinematic universe is all well and good, but if there’s too much “homework” standing in the way of a potential viewer becoming engaged with the material, its audience will never be able to expand. Much likeStar Wars: The Acolyte,Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedican be a fresh starting point for new audiences – as long as Lucasfilm is still willing to take the leap.
The Acolyte
Cast
The Acolyte is a television series set in the Star Wars universe at the end of the High Republic Era, where both the Jedi and the Galactic Empire were at the height of their influence. This sci-fi thriller sees a former Padawan reunite with her former Jedi Master as they investigate several crimes - all leading to darkness erupting from beneath the surface and preparing to bring about the end of the High Republic.
