New Information Comes To Light Regarding 'The Acolyte's Disney+ Replacement in 'Star Wars' Leak

As The Acolyte enters its final few episodes, more information is trickling in regarding its Disney+ replacement, and this time, a Star Wars leak has revealed more than ever before.

A group of four people in futuristic clothing walk through a gritty, urban street. Three of them wear matching yellow and black robes with stylish belts akin to Star Wars Disney+ characters, while one sports green and gray tactical gear. They appear focused and determined as they navigate the bustling environment. — Credit: Lucasfilm

With its sixth episode, “Teach / Corrupt,” The Acolyte is further expanding the lore of the galaxy far, far away. Its existence as part of the High Republic era—an era that has grown in prominence since 2021 thanks to Disney and Lucasfilm’s multi-media initiative—brings audiences the furthest back in the live-action timeline than ever before.

Manny Jacinto gazes into the distance. They are outdoors, with a blurred background featuring large, dark rock formations and a body of water. — Credit: Lucasfilm

Leslye Headland’s series takes place approximately 100 years before the events of Star Wars: Episode I—The Phantom Menace (1999). While George Lucas aimed to tell Darth Vader’s origin story in his prequel trilogy, The Acolyte deals with something not really seen before in live-action: the Jedi’s Golden Age.

Darth Vader saying "nooo!" in 'Revenge of the Sith' — Credit: Lucasfilm

Lee Jung-jae plays Jedi Master Sol, who, along with fellow Jedi Jecki Lon (Dafne Keen), Yord Fandar (Charlie Bennett), and Vernestra Rwoh (Rebecca Henderson), aims to stop a threat to the Republic. The threat? A dark side Force user called Mae Aniseya (Amandla Stenberg).

Amandla Stenberg stands outdoors, wearing a chainmail-like top with metal armor plating. They are looking upwards with a serious expression. The background features greenery with blurred palm leaves. The scene appears to be set in a forest or jungle environment. — Credit: Lucasfilm

Stenberg plays both of the lead characters, twin sisters Mae and Osha Aniseya. While it may have seemed to be a revenge story from the outset, last week’s acclaimed episode “Night” revealed the main villain.

Manny Jacinto, who appeared in earlier episodes as a seemingly harmless Qimir, was revealed to be Mae’s master, known as The Stranger.

A dark, armored figure with a sinister, alien-like helmet, partially concealed in shadows, stands against a backdrop of swirling shades of blue. The helmet features a glossy finish with sharp, menacing edges, lending a mysterious and ominous aura to the character. — Credit: Lucasfilm

Early theories suggested that Jacinto’s The Stranger had ties to the Knights of Ren, thanks to Kylo Ren’s (Adam Driver) theme being used. Headland later confirmed that the connection to Kylo Ren, and thus the sequel trilogy, was intentional but couldn’t share more.

For all The Acolyte is doing to expand the live-action universe, it has received tenfold the backlash. At the time of writing, The Acolyte currently holds the worst audience score for any Star Wars project on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes.

A character with white hair and horns on their forehead is holding a sword in front of them in a defensive stance. They are dressed in a light brown and yellow outfit. Another character, slightly out of focus, holds a similar stance in the background. — Credit: Lucasfilm

The Acolyte, despite having a notable 83% critic score, holds just a 14% rating from audiences. That is not, by any means. a true representation of the quality of the work.

Due to its progressive and diverse cast, as well as the show being created by a queer woman, so-called fans have demonized the Disney+ series, review-bombing it across the internet.

Two characters in elaborate, intricate costumes stand outdoors in a fantasy setting reminiscent of *Star Wars: The Acolyte*. One has braided hair, wearing a patterned shawl, while the other, adorned with a headpiece and face paint, is dressed in a cloak with a detailed design. — Credit: Lucasfilm

An example of the content these fans are having issues with came in the fourth episode, “Day,” with Osha (Stenberg) asking about the Tynnan tracker Bazil, seemingly referencing the use of pronouns in the Star Wars universe.

So, regardless of Lucasfilm giving fans a new era to explore, as well as new characters and a potential origin of the Knights of Ren and even Darth Plagueis and Sheev Palpatine connections, The Acolyte will go down in history as the worst-received project to date.

A person dressed in Jedi robes holds a glowing green lightsaber in a defensive stance. The scene appears intense with the individual focusing on something out of the frame. The background is blurred, giving emphasis to the subject and lightsaber. — Credit: Lucasfilm

Looking ahead then, The Acolyte will officially bow out of being Lucasfilm’s most current show in mid-July, but audiences won’t have long to wait until the next chapter of the franchise commences, this time in the New Republic era.

As confirmed recently, following rumors supposing the fact, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew is slated to debut on the Disney streaming service during the Holiday season of 2024.

Skeleton Crew Disney+ banner — Credit: Lucasfilm

The Jon Watts and Christopher Ford-created series draws inspiration from classic 80s coming-of-age movies and follows a group of kids and one mysterious Force user as they traverse the galaxy.

Not much is known about Skeleton Crew other than it stars Jude Law, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Robert Timothy Smith, Ravi Cabot-Conyers, Kyriana Kratter, Tunde Adebimpe, Kerry Condon, and Jaleel White.

Jude Law in Star Wars Skeleton Crew — Credit: Lucasfilm

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew will take place in the New Republic era, joining The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Star Wars: Ahsoka, and the upcoming movies from Jon Favreau (The Mandalorian & Grogu) and Dave Filoni (untitled Mando-Verse/Heir to the Empire).

Information may be scarce on Skeleton Crew, but a new leak has revealed some new details, such as Jude Law’s character’s name and the name of the vessel on which the eponymous squad embarks across the galaxy.

A starship touches down planetside in first official look at 'Star Wars: Skeleton Crew' — Credit: Lucasfilm

The new information stems from a merchandise leak. An upcoming Star Wars LEGO set shows the Skeleton Crew’s ship, The Onyx Cinder, and the characters themselves.

From the image, which can be found on the Star Wars Leaks Reddit page, it has been gleaned that Jude Law’s supposed Forcer user is called Jod, while the children seemingly go by the names Wim, Fern, KS, and Neel. There has been discussion over KS possibly being KB or even K5, considering the source isn’t a clear image.

New Jude Law 'Skeleton Crew' image — Credit: Lucasfilm

The first footage of Skeleton Crew was shown to Star Wars Celebration Europe attendees last year, but Lucasfilm has not yet distributed a trailer to its wider audience. With a late 2024 release on the cards and The Acolyte coming to a close, it really is only a matter of time before Skeleton Crew begins to be uncovered.

What are you hoping Skeleton Crew will bring to the Star Wars franchise? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!