Casting Update Reported for Leading Star of Disney's Canceled 'Star Wars: The Acolyte'

After a turbulent summer filled with high hopes and heated debates, Lucasfilm is closing out 2024 with a mix of triumphs and disappointments as The Acolyte and Skeleton Crew dominate the conversation in the galaxy far, far away.

Back in June, The Acolyte made waves as it transported Star Wars fans to the waning days of the High Republic, a period that creator Leslye Headland used to center a new story of the galaxy’s most enduring battle—the light versus the dark. The Acolyte was a story about the resurgence of the Sith during the Jedi’s Golden Age.

However, the nine-episode Disney+ series quickly became a catalyst for controversy. Bold in its ambition and representation, The Acolyte faced intense scrutiny from audiences and critics alike.

While some celebrated its diverse cast and female-led narrative, others decried it as “woke,” igniting cultural debates that echoed the divisive reception of Rian Johnson’s Star Wars: Episode VIII–The Last Jedi (2017) and the wider so-called “agenda” of The Walt Disney Company.

Starring Amandla Stenberg (Osha/Mae Aniseya), Lee Jung-jae (Jedi Master Sol), and Manny Jacinto (Qimir/The Stranger), the show tackled themes rarely explored in Star Wars. Yet despite its approach, the series struggled to maintain viewership, leading Disney to quietly pull the plug on future seasons.

“So as it relates to Acolyte, we were happy with our performance, but it wasn’t where we needed it to be given the cost structure of that title, quite frankly, to go and make a season two,” said Disney’s Alan Bergman in an interview with Vulture.

Fans, however, weren’t ready to let it go. Many criticized Lucasfilm for giving too much weight to online backlash, arguing that vocal detractors overshadowed the passionate fanbase that embraced The Acolyte’s bold storytelling. Cast members like Stenberg and Jodie Turner-Smith (Mother Aniseya) even addressed the toxic discourse in social media posts and interviews.

As for Jung-jae, the actor told Vanity Fair that it saddened him to see the vitriol. “My feelings were hurt,” he explained to the outlet. “Especially for Leslye Headland—her feelings must have hurt a lot. I can only have faith that racism will end someday, even though it’s going to be hard.”

Now, Lee Jung-jae, who recently returned to the small screen in the second season of Netflix’s Squid Game Season 2, is rumored to be shedding his Jedi cloak for the superhero world of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. “According to scooper MTTSH, Jung-jae is in talks for an undisclosed MCU role,” Comic Book Movie reported.

There are no further details on who Jung-jae is in talks to play–if he is even in talks at all. However, after reaching international recognition for playing Seong Gi-hun/456 in Squid Game, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Disney tapped the actor for their biggest franchise.

As it relates to Star Wars, all eyes are now on Skeleton Crew, the latest Disney+ series set in the Mando-Verse alongside The Mandalorian and Ahsoka. Described as “The Goonies in space,” this Jon Watts and Christopher Ford creation follows four kids lost in the galaxy with Jude Law’s enigmatic Force-user, Jod Na Nawood, as their guide.

Yet Skeleton Crew is already on shaky ground. Despite positive reviews, the show has reportedly struggled to make a dent in viewership rankings. Forbes noted that its double-episode premiere “did not break into Luminate’s top 10 streaming list,” a stark contrast to The Acolyte’s debut, which ranked at #7.

Meanwhile, Lucasfilm’s theatrical ambitions remain in flux. After a four-year drought since J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: Episode IX–The Rise of Skywalker (2019), fans will finally return to theaters in May 2026 with Jon Favreau’s The Mandalorian and Grogu movie.

This highly anticipated project will continue Din Djarin and Grogu’s story while seemingly setting the stage for Dave Filoni’s climactic crossover.

Beyond that, uncertainty looms. Whispers of a new trilogy, Simon Kinberg’s rumored trilogy, and the resurrection of Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron hint at a sprawling but chaotic roadmap.

Disney co-chair Alan Bergman reassured fans, saying, “We’re looking at a number of additional series that are in development. We’ll see what we decide to do. As I said earlier, they have to be great, and when we’re in the position where we think we have what we want, we’re going to move forward.” For now, the fate of Skeleton Crew and the next steps for Star Wars remain unclear.

What do you think of the future of the galaxy far, far away? Let us know in the comments below!