After Disney pulled the plug on the controversial Acolyte, one of the biggest players in the Star Wars franchise voices his support for the show’s lead.
To say that The Acolyte divided audiences would be a grand and glorious understatement. Not since the prequel trilogy has a Star Wars project been met with such vitriol from the fanbase.
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Set during the High Republic era, a century before the prequel trilogy, the Star Wars series follows Jedi Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae) and his former Padawan (Amandla Stenberg) as they delve into a sinister plot involving a dark-sided coven on Brendok and a mysterious Sith Lord (Manny Jacinto). While the initial premise was intriguing, the series’ focus seemed to shift after the first few episodes.”
Although the true fault of the show’s cancellation lies with both Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, and showrunner Leslye Headland, much of the blame has been unfairly heaped on Amandla Stenberg. However, one Jedi Master has voiced his support for Osha and Mae during this tumultuous time.
Star Wars Legend Stands with Stenberg
Amandla Stenberg might be dealing with the backlash of a very upset and often toxic fanbase, but she wouldn’t be the first. Before he rescued Grogu from the clutches of the Galactic Empire as Jedi Master Kelleran Beq, Ahmed Best was dealing with his own struggles with the fandom as Jar Jar Binks.
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Best first joined galaxy far, far away as the comic relief for Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999), but he was met by an ocean of hatred instead of the fame and notoriety that came with the Star Wars brand. In the TED podcast The Redemption of Jar Jar Binks, Best even contemplated suicide during what he called “the lowest I’ve ever been.”
The actor has since found redemption as a Jedi Master in the highly successful Mandalorian series on Disney+, and he continues to voice Jar Jar across a multitude of Star Wars media. However, he’s also very vocal about what’s happening amongst the fandom and recently shared his support on his official Instagram.
The Acolyte Wins Famous Fan
Along with a promotional image of the show featuring Osha and Mae, Ahmed Best shared the following statement voicing his support for Stenberg and all the artists and actors involved.
Best said,
“I will always stand in solidarity for artists who give 110% to their work and art. Keep shining, queen.”
Ahmed Best, Hayden Christensen, and Kelly Marie Tran know how cruel Star Wars fans can be. However, that’s not to say the audience doesn’t have a right to be upset after some of the show’s production team’s comments and denying a voice to creators who truly understood the source material. They are simply targeting the wrong party.
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Neither Stenberg, Best, Christensen, nor any other actor is responsible for a bad script, and the fanbase shouldn’t blame them for portraying fictional characters they didn’t like. If they want to be upset at anyone involved with The Acolyte, the directors and producers who approved such a divisive and problematic script should be the ones to blame, not the actors paid to bring it to life.
While this might be the last we see of Osha, Mae, Qimir, and even Darth Plagueis the Wise, it’s still a big galaxy. There’s always room for another story in the Star Wars saga.
Who do you think is to blame for the sins of The Acolyte? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!