The Acolyte 1 Yr Later: Have been The “Haters” Proper About Kathleen Kennedy All Alongside? A Retrospective Look At Star Wars' Most Decisive Enterprise [Opinion]

One 12 months in the past, The Acolyte debuted on Disney+ amid extreme controversy, in the end registering as the primary Star Wars collection Disney+ canceled after a single season. Whereas Star Wars fandom has lengthy been dismissed as inherently poisonous — a label that started with some legitimacy however now serves as a handy defend in opposition to even probably the most affordable criticism — the aftermath of The Acolyte calls for a extra scrupulous and nuanced dissection of Kathleen Kennedy’s stewardship of the galaxy far, far-off.

When Star Wars: Episode VII – The Drive Awakens roused the multi-billion greenback franchise at Disney, hope remained that its legacy wouldn’t solely be honored however replicated. As a substitute, annually has introduced content material that proved to be extra divisive and mediocre than the final, with 2024’s The Acolyte being crucified as the ultimate nail within the coffin of fan goodwill.

The Acolyte’s Mishandling Of Illustration

Variety in storytelling represents an indisputably constructive growth for any franchise. Nevertheless, genuine inclusion can not come on the expense of the foundational components that enraptured lifelong followers to start with. The Acolyte’s Herculean vexations prolonged past casting selections in good religion and right into a failure to discern what made generations need to duel with lightsabers. Portray the very Drive as unfavorable and a device of patriarchy didn’t assist.

Even historically loyal critics deserted The Acolyte as they witnessed it flying too near the solar of radicalism—a uncommon occasion that rendered the preliminary resentment a widespread rejection. This method displays a deliberate institutional drawback and a warning bell for Kennedy, who may have reoriented the course however as a substitute doubled down on confrontational messaging.

“The Drive is powerful with this collection.”

See the primary two episodes of #TheAcolyte, a Star Wars Unique collection, now on @DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/kYK7pl3maE

— The Acolyte (@OfficialAcolyte) June 7, 2024

The “Fixing” Phenomenon Of Star Wars Executives

The Acolyte represents a part of a broader leisure trade development the place creators try to “repair” present properties, alienating established fanbases within the course of. From The Final of Us to Joker: Folie à Deux, showrunners and administrators have christened themselves as correcting “flaws” in each the true and fictional universes.

Kennedy’s decade-long tenure exemplifies this misguided coverage. Legacy characters like Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Indiana Jones (additionally beneath Lucasfilm) had been diminished from heroes into failures who had been now reaping what they sowed with their combat-loving patriarchal beliefs. In distinction, probably the most beloved reboot in keeping with Rotten Tomatoes, Prime Gun: Maverick, had its hero having fun with his life simply as he did 36 years in the past.

Followers’ Criticism Of The Acolyte & Kennedy’s Criticism Of Followers

Star Wars’ trajectory since The Final Jedi spotlights a narrative of squandered potential. The deconstruction of beloved characters struck longtime followers like lightning, but it backfired when The Acolyte tried to capitalize on the identical. Kennedy’s response was to carry the “male-dominated” fanbase accountable somewhat than look at her personal management (by way of Selection).

When followers expressed dissatisfaction with The Acolyte‘s specific hostility towards their demographic, they had been labeled “haters” and “losers” somewhat than valued clients whose considerations deserved consideration. Kennedy publicly reprimanded them for making it more durable for feminine creators but invested no effort in valuing their creations.

Kathleen Kennedy preemptively blaming the male followers in case Acolyte sucks. Are you able to simply concentrate on making good content material that folks need???#firekathleenkennedy #starwars #kathleenkennedy #lucasfilm #meme #memes #humorous pic.twitter.com/umUnTObOgk

— Assault on Present (@attackonshow) Might 30, 2024

Has The Acolyte Broken Star Wars For Good?

Kennedy’s statements insinuate that maybe the illustration was at all times alleged to be a defend from truthful criticism. The sample additionally reveals a strategic error in Kennedy’s self-fulfilling method: she constantly took away components followers cherished whereas supplementing nothing of worth in return, with The Acolyte being a working example.

Regardless of quite a few makes an attempt to diversify Star Wars’ viewers, male viewers remained the franchise’s major demographic, solely extra incredulous relating to its future prospects.

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