However, this backlash went far beyond disliking or constructively criticizing the show and instead became antagonistic, vitriolic, and outright hostile, especially when it came to treatment of the show’s actors, Mae/Osha actress Amandla Stenberg in particular. Sadly, this is not new in the Star Wars franchise, as this bullying behavior has occurred since Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. With The Acolyte’s cancelation, though, I’ve become convinced: Star Wars will not find true success again until it finds a way to end the review-bombing, hatred, and harassment coming from certain parts of the fanbase.
The Acolyte’s Reception Is Far From The First Example Of Vitriol And Hate
The response to The Acolyte was jarring to say the least, but this, unfortunately, is far from the first or only example of this type of behavior in Star Wars. Rather, Star Wars audiences have been arguing that new shows, movies, and characters have ‘ruined’ the franchise for decades. This was first clear in The Phantom Menace, when Jar Jar Binks actor Ahmed Best and young Anakin Skywalker Jake Lloyd were bullied by viewers and by the media.
However, while the prequels may not have been considered some of Star Wars’ best movies when they were released, few Star Wars projects have received as much hate as the sequel trilogy. In fact, social media comments and posts expressing hatred of the sequels, the characters, and even the actors remain very prominent, although the trilogy began nearly a decade ago. Many of the actors have spoken about this experience, Finn actor John Boyega in particular, who spoke about the racist backlash he experienced from the fanbase.
This treatment has continued with Disney Star Wars TV shows; indeed, many blame Disney specifically for ‘ruining’ Star Wars. In Obi-Wan Kenobi, Reva actress Moses Ingram faced such terrible racist backlash that Ewan McGregor himself even took to social media to demand that this stop. However, that was also not enough, as the actors of The Acolyte have been subjected to the same treatment. Stenberg and Qimir/the Stranger actor Manny Jacinto have both spoken about their experience with this problem.
No Story Will Be ‘Perfect’ Enough To Resolve This Issue
Although there are specific aspects of Star Wars’ shows and movies that get called out amid the heavy backlash and criticism, the truth is, this behavior will not stop, no matter how brilliant the story is, until Star Wars and Disney address it. Yes, there are legitimate flaws with The Acolyte and the Star Wars sequel trilogy, which is true of any piece of media. However, the response to these shows and movies in the Star Wars franchise has much more to do with the nature of the fanbase at this point.
The Star Wars fanbase is known for attacking the very franchise it is supposed to love.
Sadly, the Star Wars fanbase is known for attacking the very franchise it is supposed to love. While this is certainly not true of every Star Wars fan—many fans, including those who voiced positive perceptions of The Acolyte, are treated similarly online—the issue is prominent enough that even those outside the fanbase are aware of this issue with Star Wars. Unfortunately, though, Lucasfilm and Disney have yet to truly address this problem; rather, Lucasfilm has been silent about The Acolyte’s cancelation and the shocking response to the show.
The Franchise Will Continue To Face Review Bombing And Backlash Until This Is Addressed
Unfortunately, Star Wars won’t escape this cycle until Lucasfilm and Disney address it. Silence won’t stop this behavior in the fanbase, and, clearly, this issue is having a material impact on the franchise. Both the decision not to renew The Acolyte and the subsequent silence about the show’s end (and the backlash to it) make it seem as though Star Wars is caving to this online trolling and review-bombing. While that’s only speculation, it could mean serious trouble for the future of the franchise. If true, this will only embolden those who engage in this behavior.
Star Wars won’t escape this cycle until Lucasfilm and Disney address it.
Truthfully, I have concerns about the future of Star Wars based on this pattern. The way actors are being treated online, the decision to cancel The Acolyte, and the increasingly divisive nature of the fanbase are all troubling to me, especially in combination. While the answer to these problems is no doubt complicated, Star Wars must disrupt this trend in the franchise. Yes, The Acolyte is the most recent example, but it is far from the only Star Wars project to receive this treatment, which means that something must be done.
