Could Star Wars be facing more serious issues?
Amid the buzz surrounding the announcement of an exciting new Star Wars trilogy, reportedly crafted by Simon Kinberg, a cloud of uncertainty hangs over the fanbase. Kinberg's previous work has elicited mixed reactions, fueling concerns about whether he can successfully capture the essence of such an iconic franchise. Compounding this anxiety is the noticeable lack of a clear vision from Lucasfilm, leaving many devoted fans questioning if this ambitious project will genuinely resonate with the rich legacy that Star Wars has built over decades. While it's possible that this new trilogy may not live up to expectations, fans remain hopeful that it could still deliver an unforgettable adventure in a galaxy far, far away. Star Wars' New Trilogy Could Be a Disaster, but Let's Hope for the Best
Star Wars Theory is at it again
After Following the cancellation of The Acolyte and the debut of Star Wars Outlaws, Star Wars Theory’s controversial perspective has become more apparent. This has left fans of The Acolyte struggling with the mix of fandom and politics. Discovering that one of the most vocal critics of The Acolyte is a MAGA supporter.Finding out that one of the biggest haters of The Acolyte is a MAGA supporter is so validating. It's not surprising because it... – @konemanen on Tumblr
A new trilogy of Star Wars films is in development.
A thrilling new Star Wars film trilogy, penned by X-Men producer Simon Kinberg and prodA new thrilling Star Wars film trilogy is currently in the early stages of development at Disney. The project is being written by Simon Kinberg, known for his work on the X-Men series, and produced in collaboration with Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy. This trilogy promises to offer a fresh storyline that moves beyond the Skywalker saga.used alongside Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy, is in the early stages of development at Disney, promising a fresh storyline that ventures beyond the Skywalker saga! New 'Star Wars' film trilogy in the works at Disney: source
There may be a second season of Agatha Along
All Along’ Showrunner Confirms More Agatha Is Coming. "The showrunner of "Agatha All Along," Jac Schaeffer, has confirmed that more adventures featuring Agatha are on the horizon. However, it’s still unclear if there will be a second season. She has teased an exciting evolution of the character in ghost form, stating, "Get ready!"
Is Agatha Along failing to meet expectations?
The Nielsen ratings for the premiere of Marvel’s Agatha series have been released, revealing troublingly low viewership that falls well below The Acolyte's numbers, despite its cancellation after just one season, indicating Agatha may be the least watched of Disney+’s weekly MCU shows. Marvel's Agatha Nielsen Ratings | Cosmic Book News
Manny Jacinto is getting ready for his appearance
'The Acolyte' Star Manny Jacinto Is Hyperspeeding To Fan Expo San Francisco Exciting news for fans: Manny Jacinto, the beloved star of "Star Wars: The Acolyte," will be making an appearance at Fan Expo San Francisco from November 29 to December 1, 2024. Don’t miss your chance to meet him, hear him speak, and take a photo! Manny Jacinto, the star of "The Acolyte," is hyperspeeding to Fan Expo San Francisco!
Carrie-Anne Moss shared her thoughts on the Cancelation
Although fans are hopeful for a season 2 revival of The Acolyte, cast member Carrie-Anne Moss recently reflected on the show's cancellation with a sense of calm, emphasizing the often unpredictable nature ofan actor’s career.. The Acolyte’s Carrie-Anne Moss Gives Her Thoughts On Its Cancellation
Carrie-Anne Moss Breaks Silence
Carrie-Anne Moss, celebrated for her role in The Matrix, nonchalantly reflected on the surprising cancellation of The Acolyte during an exclusive interview, emphasizing that the unpredictable nature of television has taught her not to dwell on abrupt endings, a sentiment shaped by her experiences in the industry, including the unexpected halt of Jessica Jones. Carrie-Anne Moss Breaks Silence on the Shocking Cancelation of ‘The Acolyte’
Fans of Acolyte have set up another billboard in New York City.
Today!! OCTOBER 31 We have our second billboard in Times Square, NY, for the Save The Acolyte campaign and you can watch it! – @marthajackson-blog on TumblrA new billboard was unveiled on October 31, 2024. The Acolyte fandom is determined to ensure that Disney and Lucasfilm hear our voices. “Today, on October 31, we have our second billboard in Times Square, NY, for the Save The Acolyte campaign, and you can watch it!”
Fans of Amandla Stenberg, known as Acolytes, have united to celebrate her birthday and show their support.
On October 23, 2024, Acolyte fans surprised Stenberg by buying her a New York Time Square billboard. The billboard said, "Beautiful, Successful, Determined," and featured a photo of Stenberg. I have already seen some comments on her Instagram post from the trolls/ haters saying, “Too bad those same fans didn’t watch the show with a laughing face emoji.” “LOL. Stay away from Star Wars.” my favorite one is “There are fans of the Acolyte? How” Sadly, no matter how much we try to show our love and support, these awful people will still comment stuff like this and on things like this, but there is an upside: there is more love and support in the comments on the post than there are harmful and hateful compared to last time. @amandlastenberg | Some cheeky bastards (fans of the acolyte) got me a billboard in times square for my birthday. seriously this means the world to me. I’ve... | Instagram
Jaleel White has joined the cast of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew.
Can you believe it? Jaleel White, the actor who portrayed Steve Urkel in Family Matters, is set to join the Star Wars Skelton crew, and he looks fantastic! But watch out, with the rise of the toxic fanbase, things could get dicey. we have already encountered some eyebrow-raising content on YouTube from the poisonous fanbase, especially after the news came out about the rise of the toxic fandoms that are spreading fast. Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Reveals First Look at Jaleel White's Space Pirate (comicbook.com)
Acolyte Stenberg discussed the Acolyte in greater detail.
HuffPost Entertainment released a full interview with Stenberg at the link below. “As a passionate Star Wars fan, I was rooting for The Acolyte to resonate with audiences.” Unfortunately, despite being Disney+'s most significant series premiere of 2024, it didn't quite match the high ratings of its predecessor, Ahsoka, led by Rosario Dawson. The hefty production cost of over $100 million for the first season probably factored into the decision not to renew the show, but it's still disappointing. The Acolyte may have faced franchise fatigue and vocal fan discontent from the start, with complaints about casting and review-bombing. Actress Stenberg faced a barrage of abuse and described facing prejudice and hatred, but she also expressed her deep appreciation for the support received. Other actors from the Star Wars universe, like John Boyega and Kelly Marie Tran, have also faced similar racist and sexist backlash. Despite this, there are whispers of efforts to keep The Acolyte alive, with co-star Manny Jacinto expressing a personal goal to see a Season 2 of the show. Racist ‘Star War’ Fans Made Sure ‘The Acolyte’ Would Fail | HuffPost Entertainment
Jodie Turner-Smith Breaks Silence
Disney's decision to cancel Star Wars: The Acolyte has sparked mixed reactions among fans and cast members. In a revealing interview, Jodie Turner-Smith, who portrayed Mother Aniseya, expressed disappointment in Disney's lack of public support for the cast members facing online harassment. She emphasized the need for studios to take a stand against toxic behavior on the internet, shedding light on the challenges faced by vulnerable cast members in the face of mass harassment. This interview offers a compelling insight into the complexities of navigating social media in the entertainment industry and the impact of studio support on the well-being of cast members. ‘The Acolyte’ Star Blasts Disney For Not Protecting Its Cast (forbes.com)
Toxic fandom is becoming increasingly problematic.
Toxicity has spread throughout fan culture, sparking outrage over a real Black man being the protagonist in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, a coven of ‘lesbian space witches’ in Star Wars: The Acolyte, the presence of a woman in Ghost of Yotei, and two women kissing in House of the Dragon causing a significant drop in user review scores. The pushback manifests as relentless online abuse, including death threats and continuous displays of prejudice in comment sections, fueled by influencers (or rather, opportunists) who profit from provoking outrage. In a recent interview with Variety, several studio executives expressed concern about the rise of toxic fandoms, describing the current situation as "deafening." They acknowledged that while most fans are casual, the internet has amplified the voices of the more volatile subgroup, allowing them to create echo chambers.
As a result, studios are now considering forming superfan focus groups to anticipate potential backlash and avoid toxicity altogether. The focus groups are intended to evaluate marketing materials for major franchises. Despite this, one executive remarked, “If it’s early enough and the movie isn’t finished yet, we can make those changes.” Consequently, studios are open to modifying films based on feedback to prevent potential backlash. However, this approach doesn't solve the problem; it exacerbates it significantly.
This method effectively validates toxic fans and implies that if they are loud enough, their demands should be heeded. This raises the question: why would they remain silent? By demonstrating a willingness to alter films to avoid criticism, studios essentially signal to the instigators that they can pressure studios into compliance. They may censor inclusive content rather than rectify issues like the unappealing Sonic design. The issue at hand fails to tackle the underlying problem.
Toxic fans have always been present, with one executive even suggesting that the situation may not be much different from 1995. What has changed is the amplification of these voices through social media and content creators, giving rise to communities built around bigotry and hatred and perpetuating a culture that was previously shunned. This shift has allowed their ideas to gain prominence and influence, exacerbating the problem. Numerous content creators and once-disgraced public figures have ingeniously reclaimed the spotlight by embracing an "anti-woke" stance, engaging in a lucrative culture war. Whether their convictions are genuine or not, they have tapped into a market of embittered fans who feel disenfranchised by changes in their beloved franchises. Surprisingly, these creators are seldom held accountable for their involvement in the ensuing harassment campaigns.
Star Wars Theory sparked controversy by criticizing Daisy Ridley, who portrayed Rey in Star Wars, for speaking out against toxic fans. This sheds light on Daisy Ridley's struggles during the filming of The Last Jedi, where she reportedly developed stomach wall issues due to anxiety. The lack of consideration for the impact of riling up fans for views is concerning, with no apparent consequences.
The modern toxic fandom surrounding Star Wars has its roots in the refusal to accept The Last Jedi's attempts to challenge preconceived notions of heroes, instead perceiving them as personal insults. Driven by the influence of content creators, fans unleashed vitriolic campaigns in a cultural battle targeting Kathleen Kennedy, Rian Johnson, Kelly Marie Tran, and Disney, which soon permeated various forms of entertainment. The situation escalated when Disney seemingly validated these sentiments by undoing The Last Jedi's narrative in The Rise of Skywalker, a predictable movie that seemed to cater exclusively to Reddit's desires, ultimately failing to satisfy anyone. It's clear that this misstep only emboldened the most toxic fanbase even further.
Embracing diverse representation in media often sparks backlash, evident in examples like a Black man in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, a woman in Ghost of Yotei portrayed by a genderfluid actor, a lesbian kiss in House of the Dragon, and a Black non-binary lead in Star Wars: The Acolyte.
The term 'woke' has become a blanket label for marginalized groups, and the suggestion to avoid hate campaigns seems to be to cease telling their stories altogether. It's concerning to witness major studios yielding to public pressure, with reports suggesting that Pixar attributed Lightyear's underperformance to a same-sex kiss and received feedback to minimize LGBTQ+ representation in Inside Out 2. This unwelcome behavior alienates LGBTQ+ fans and jeopardizes the progress made in diversifying media. Such actions only embolden toxic fan culture, which hinders genuine progress and perpetuates negativity within fandoms. Studios face a challenging dilemma of whether to engage or disregard bigoted fans, as content creators advise, but giving in to them is never the solution. These fans thrive on outrage, and trying to meet them on their terms is futile when their demands keep changing. Giving legitimacy to these voices through focus groups will only encourage them further, leading to potential disaster. Superfan Focus Groups Won't Get Rid Of Toxicity (thegamer.com)
Could this signify a significant change for Star Wars?
The Internet has sparked a new era for online fandom, with surprising developments and innovative strategies emerging to counteract the negativity. A recent report from Variety delves into the rise of toxic fandom and its detrimental effects on beloved franchises like Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The report reveals that certain studios are turning to dedicated superfans to evaluate potential marketing materials, seeking insights into how the broader fan community will receive these projects. Additionally, it discloses that some celebrities undergo specialized social media training before the release of their projects. The report follows the social media backlash against Star Wars: The Acolyte, the franchise's most recent live-action series, which premiered on Disney+ earlier this year and was abruptly canceled after one season due to racist, sexist, and derogatory comments. This phenomenon is particularly challenging for women involved in these significant franchises, as highlighted by Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, who emphasized the importance of inclusive storytelling despite facing personal attacks. Other franchises mentioned in the report include the Captain Marvel films, which faced sexist hate campaigns, and 2023's The Marvels, which unexpectedly underperformed at the box office. Various factors contributed to Marvel’s lackluster performance, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and marketing missteps. However, Disney CEO Bob Iger proposed a different perspective, attributing the film's challenges to insufficient on-set supervision during production. The industry's response to the rise of toxic fandom and the efforts to mitigate its impact underscores the ever-evolving nature of online fan communities and the creative strategies employed to address these challenges. Studios Reportedly Assembling Franchise "Superfans" for Advice on Battling Toxic Fans (comicbook.com)
Leslye Headland has an impressive background.
Leslye Headland boasts an impressive writer, director, and producer repertoire, with notable works including Bachelorette, the 2018 Heathers series, and Russian Dolls. Her wealth of experience in these roles has undoubtedly contributed to her work on The Acolyte. FurthermoreLeslye Headland is an accomplished writer, director, and producer, with notable works such as *Bachelorette*, the 2018 *Heathers* series, and *Russian Doll*. Her extensive experience in these roles has undoubtedly influenced her work on *The Acolyte*. Additionally, Leslye has a long-standing passion for Star Wars, particularly the literature from the old Expanded Universe, which has significantly shaped her contributions to the show. Her enthusiasm for the galaxy far, far away is truly captivating, and we all appreciate her talent., Leslye's long-standing passion for Star Wars, particularly the literature from the old Expanded Universe, has greatly influenced her work on the show. Her evident enthusiasm for the galaxy far, far away is truly captivating, and we all love her.
The Star Wars Wikipedia emphasizes that everyone belongs.
Thirty-six weeks ago, the Star Wars Wookieepedia page said, “Star Wars is for everyone. You have a place in this galaxy; don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. You all belong here❤️” But it seems that after the Acolyte, some fans don’t want fans of the Acolyte in the fandom “because we support Disney’s woke Agenda.” There is an article on that below for you to read. I agree with Star Wars Wookieepedia that everyone belongs. Wookieepedia | Star Wars is for everyone. You have a place in this galaxy, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. You all belong here❤️ . . . . .... | Instagram
Review Bomb the wrong Acolyte?
Rotten Tomatoes saw some intense review bombing, with Star Wars fans mistakenly targeting the wrong Acolyte, but strangely, many people seemed to overlook the whole incident. Despite the negative reviews, some still claim that the show is terrible, citing the low Rotten Tomato ratings as evidence, even though Critics gave it a 78%. Star Wars Fans Seem to Be Review-Bombing the Wrong 'Acolyte' (gamerant.com)
YouTube has negatively influenced people's thinking.
The Acolyte is becoming increasingly contentious as some individuals fixate on negative YouTube videos from grifters, rage baiters, and Star Wars fans who thrive on clicks and views, leading others to perceive the show as poor.
Stenberg has encountered this situation in the past.
During her appearance on *The Daily Show*, Amandla Stenberg discussed her film that addresses police brutality. She mentioned that "white people crying was our goal," which some Star Wars fans twisted into an accusation that she was referring to *The Acolyte*. Later, when Stenberg released a music video addressing racism and bigotry, some fans distorted her message, claiming she was labeling them as racist and bigoted. Their reactions included statements like, “Go woke, go broke. Who’s crying now? You’re a horrible actress. She deserves this; she called us racist and bigots.” Additionally, they accused her of playing the victim and targeted her with attacks in the comments on Instagram.Stenberg has also faced racism within *The Hunger Games* franchise. Amandla Stenberg - Portraying Code-Switching in “The Hate U Give” | The Daily Show - YouTube Some people with low critical thinking skills tend to believe everything they see on the internet. — #BringBackTheAcolyte