This week, we’re anticipating the finale of ‘Star Wars: The Acolyte,’ one of the most controversial entries in the Star Wars franchise. The show has received a lukewarm critical reception and a notably negative social response, much of which is tied to factors unrelated to the show itself.
Nearly every aspect of ‘The Acolyte’ has been scrutinized intensely, largely due to its marketing as the “gayest Star Wars show ever.” Despite not living up to its “woke” label, the show has disappointed in terms of quality, in my subjective opinion.
In recent weeks, there has been speculation about potential plans for a second season of ‘The Acolyte.’ Showrunner Leslye Headland expressed her desire for at least three or four seasons, admitting that she put everything into season 1 but could still introduce new mysteries for season 2. She acknowledged ongoing conversations about the show’s continuation, though it’s too early to know what Lucasfilm and Disney ultimately decide for this highly controversial series.
Objectively speaking, setting aside any grievances, ‘The Acolyte’ is extremely unlikely to get a second season due to financial considerations. Reports indicate that ‘The Acolyte’ is one of the most expensive live-action shows in the franchise, with a budget of $180 million for its eight relatively short episodes.
This is an incredible amount of money, and I often wonder where it all went. Sure, the show features some brilliantly choreographed and CGI-enhanced lightsaber action, but it doesn’t seem enough to justify such a high budget, especially considering $49 million was spent on pre-production alone.
The budget wouldn’t be an issue if the show attracted a large audience, but that didn’t happen. While ‘The Acolyte’ performed well during the first 14 days when the initial three episodes were released, viewership dropped after episode 3 and never recovered.
According to the latest Nielsen numbers, ‘The Acolyte’ has the second-lowest viewership in the franchise, surpassing only ‘Andor.’
‘Andor’ serves as a perfect comparison for ‘The Acolyte.’ Despite having a very high budget of $250 million and the lowest streaming numbers in the franchise, ‘Andor’ secured a second season and was undergoing reshoots the last we heard.
So, why can’t ‘The Acolyte’ get a second season as well? Lucasfilm and Disney are more likely to invest in a project that, while not financially successful, has great reviews and critical acclaim. Despite its low viewership, ‘Andor’ is still hailed as the best live-action show in the Star Wars franchise.
‘The Acolyte’ doesn’t have that advantage. It’s expensive, has poor viewership numbers, and has received terrible critical reception, damaging the company’s image. It’s a loss on all fronts.
Disney is already in a tight financial spot, having incurred significant losses with their flagship MCU franchise. The studio’s fortunes now largely hinge on the box office performance of ‘Deadpool & Wolverine,’ despite their announcement to limit creative output and prioritize quality over quantity.
Given these substantial losses and little hope of recouping them, Disney is likely hesitant to invest in a project they believe won’t succeed.
What are your thoughts? Share them in the comments below!
