Lucasfilm isn’t letting The Acolyte disappear quietly. The studio has unveiled “The Art of Star Wars: The Acolyte”, a new behind-the-scenes book that will arrive January 13, 2026 — months after reports suggested the Disney+ series won’t return for a second season.
Announced at NYCC’s Lucasfilm Publishing panel, the book is written by StarWars.com editor Kristin Baver and featuring a foreword from showrunner Leslye Headland. It collects concept art, design commentary, and development notes that track how the High Republic–era story came together.
It’s part of a broader publishing push that also includes “The Acolyte – Wayseeker”, a one-shot comic about Wookiee Jedi Kelnacca, and a YA novel set before the series.
When The Acolyte premiered in 2024, expectations were high. The show was meant to bridge an unexplored gap in Star Wars history, tracing the origins of the Sith and the moral gray areas of the Jedi. What followed was one of the franchise’s most polarizing chapters. Critics praised its ambition, but fans took issue with lore changes and inconsistent tone. The situation worsened when Headland dismissed criticism as “toxic” and star Amandla Stenberg released a mocking “diss track” online.
Despite the backlash, Lucasfilm’s decision to spotlight the show’s art suggests a willingness to acknowledge even its misfires as part of the creative process. It’s a quieter gesture — more about preservation than promotion.
Related: ‘Star Wars: The Acolyte’ Cancellation Linked to Unexpected Financial Issues
Meanwhile, the studio is re-centering around surer bets. The Mandalorian & Grogu will bring the saga back to theaters in 2026, followed by Starfighter in 2027, while Ahsoka Season 2 remains the lone Disney+ production in motion.
The Acolyte may have split fans down the middle, but this art book ensures the series isn’t erased from canon or memory. In a franchise that often moves on quickly, Lucasfilm’s choice to document rather than delete speaks volumes.
“The Art of Star Wars: The Acolyte” hits shelves on January 13, 2026.
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