Lucasfilm’s latest Star Wars projects are making waves, but not all news from the galaxy far, far away is good news.
After debuting in June 2024, The Acolyte, Disney+’s ambitious dive into the High Republic era, transported viewers to a rarely explored Star Wars timeline. Creator Leslye Headland painted a vivid picture of the Jedi’s Golden Age and the Sith’s ominous rise, setting the series apart as a bold, fresh take on the Force.
However, the series quickly became a flashpoint for debate. With its “female-centric” focus, diverse cast, and queer-led narrative, The Acolyte received a mix of applause for its progressive themes and criticism from detractors labeling it “woke.” The intense discourse evoked memories of the polarizing reaction to Star Wars: Episode VIII–The Last Jedi (2017).
Starring Amandla Stenberg (Osha/Mae Aniseya), Lee Jung-jae (Jedi Master Sol), Manny Jacinto (Qimir/The Stranger), and Jodie Turner-Smith (Mother Aniseya), the nine-episode series introduced fascinating new elements to Star Wars lore. Hints of Darth Plagueis and Yoda’s potential involvement in the Brendok disaster left fans eager for answers. But despite its narrative ambition, the series struggled to find a broad audience.
Ultimately, Lucasfilm pulled the plug, reportedly due to low viewership numbers. The decision angered fans, who blamed the studio for caving to vocal online critics. Meanwhile, fears are mounting that The Acolyte may follow in the footsteps of Willow (2022), which was quietly removed from Disney+ earlier this year.
Speaking to Vulture, Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman addressed the cancellation.
“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,” Bergman explained.
The conversation soon turned to Skeleton Crew, Jon Watts’ and Christopher Ford’s coming-of-age Star Wars adventure. The series, which debuted December 2 on Disney+ and in select theaters, follows four children—Wim (Ravi Cabot-Conyers), Fern (Ryan Kiera Armstrong), KB (Kyriana Kratter), and Neel (Robert Timothy Smith)—who are thrust into the galaxy’s vast unknown after a mysterious discovery on their home planet. Along the way, they encounter Jude Law’s enigmatic Force user, Jod Na Nawood.
Despite its intriguing premise and hefty $136 million budget, Skeleton Crew has faced a rocky start. Forbes reported that the series’ double-episode premiere failed to break into Luminate’s top 10 streaming list for the week—a contrast to The Acolyte, which reached #7 during its debut.
The series, often described as “The Goonies in space,” is set during the Mando-Verse timeline alongside The Mandalorian and Ahsoka. But with viewership lagging and costs soaring, fans are concerned the show may meet the same fate as The Acolyte.
As for the future of Star Wars on television, Lucasfilm’s schedule is sparse. Beyond Ahsoka Season 2 and Andor Season 2, the studio has no new series officially announced.
On the big screen, Star Wars will return in May 2026 with Jon Favreau’s The Mandalorian and Grogu movie, presumably replacing Season 4 of the hit Disney+ series. This highly anticipated project promises to continue the story of Din Djarin and Grogu while setting the stage for Dave Filoni’s climactic “Heir to the Empire”-inspired crossover.
Meanwhile, rumors swirl about new films in development. Simon Kinberg is reportedly working on a project that could tie into Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s Rey-led “New Jedi Order” film. However, Disney’s recent decision to prioritize Ice Age 6 over a December 2026 Star Wars release has left fans questioning the franchise’s future on the big screen.
Bergman offered a glimpse into Lucasfilm’s plans, saying, “We’re looking at a number of additional series… they have to be great. When we’re in the position where we think we have what we want, we’re going to move forward.”
Will these ambitious projects find success, or will The Acolyte and Skeleton Crew mark a turning point for Star Wars? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
