‘Star Wars’ Goes All in on the Dark Side Following Surprise Resurrection of ‘The Acolyte’

The Star Wars franchise is in an era of transformation, with major moves on both the big and small screens. While Jon Favreau’s The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026) will mark the franchise’s long-awaited return to theaters, it’s what’s happening beyond the film slate that has fans talking.

One of the biggest shakeups centers on the leadership of Lucasfilm itself. Rumors recently suggested that Kathleen Kennedy, the studio’s longtime president, was on her way out. However, Kennedy shut down retirement speculation while doubling down on the franchise’s future, confirming a robust lineup of upcoming projects.

On the movie front, following Favreau’s cinematic expansion of The Mandalorian universe, Shawn Levy will take the reins for a standalone Star Wars film. Fresh from helming the billion-dollar hit Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) for Marvel Studios, Levy’s upcoming project remains shrouded in mystery—but whispers of Ryan Gosling’s potential involvement have already fueled fan intrigue.

Looking further ahead, James Mangold’s “biblical” Force origin story, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s Rey Skywalker-led return, Dave Filoni’s highly anticipated Mando-Verse event film, and a newly confirmed Simon Kinberg-penned trilogy are all in development. Kinberg’s project, in particular, is said to mark a major shift, steering the nearly 50-year-old franchise away from the Skywalker saga and into uncharted territory.

As Lucasfilm builds its theatrical future, Disney+ remains a critical battleground for the brand. Next up for the streamer is Andor Season 2, with Diego Luna reprising his role as Cassian Andor in Tony Gilroy’s critically acclaimed Rogue One-era prequel series. With its nuanced storytelling and widespread praise, the series aims to restore confidence in Star Wars television following recent misfires.

One of the most controversial projects in the franchise’s recent history, The Acolyte, became a catalyst for debate upon its release. From its inception as a “female-centric” Star Wars series to its diverse cast—including Amandla Stenberg (Osha/Mae Aniseya), Lee Jung-jae (Jedi Master Sol), Manny Jacinto (Qimir/The Stranger), and Jodie Turner-Smith (Mother Aniseya)—Leslye Headland’s nine-episode Disney+ show sparked conversation across social, political, and cultural spheres.

While some praised The Acolyte for its inclusivity and unique expansion of Star Wars lore—such as the introduction of bleeding kyber crystals—others criticized it as a “woke” departure from franchise tradition. Despite its ambitious storytelling, the series suffered from severe review-bombing, leading to some of the lowest ratings in Star Wars television history.

Ultimately, The Acolyte was canceled, with Disney Entertainment chief Alan Bergman revealing that its viewership numbers “were not where [Disney] needed them to be” given its reported $230 million budget. However, new reports suggest that demand for The Acolyte was significantly higher than that of The Book of Boba Fett and even Dave Filoni’s Ahsoka. The revelation that The Acolyte was Disney+’s second most-watched show of 2024—trailing only Percy Jackson and the Olympians—has reignited debate over its cancellation and whether a Season 2 was prematurely scrapped.

Despite its abrupt end, The Acolyte’s story will continue in other media. Lucasfilm has announced “Star Wars: Wayseeker,” a prequel novel set to explore the backstory of Jedi Masters Vernestra Rwoh and Indara, played by Rebecca Henderson and Carrie-Anne Moss in the series. Written by longtime Star Wars author Justina Ireland, the book will be released on May 6, 2025.

The expanded universe isn’t stopping there. Another novel, “Star Wars: Master of Evil,” is set to release on November 11, 2025, and could take a deeper dive into the dark side. The title alone suggests a thematic link to the infamous line from Star Wars: Episode IV–A New Hope (1977), in which Obi-Wan Kenobi tells Darth Vader, “You are only a master of evil, Darth.”

While the book’s author has yet to be revealed, “Shadow of the Sith” writer Adam Christopher has been dropping cryptic hints on social media. He’s also slated to appear at Star Wars Celebration in Tokyo, where more details about the project are expected to be unveiled.

With the franchise exploring new stories across film, streaming, and publishing, Star Wars continues to evolve in unexpected ways. Will The Acolyte find new life in another format? And could “Master of Evil” signal a deeper exploration of the Sith in upcoming media? Fans won’t have to wait long for answers, with Star Wars Celebration just around the corner.

What are your thoughts on The Acolyte’s future? Should there be a second season? What do you think “Master of Evil” will explore? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!