Amandla Stenberg Opens Up About ‘Star Wars: The Acolyte’ Cancellation

Earlier this month, the Star Wars franchise saw the cancellation of its first live action series set in the High Republic era, ‘Star Wars: The Acolyte’, after just one season. Amandla Stenberg, the star of the series, has recently shared their feelings about the show’s end and the backlash they faced from the beginning.

Stenberg took to their Instagram Story to discuss the series’ cancellation and the challenges they encountered. They expressed that the cancellation did not come as a big surprise to them, hinting at the harsh criticism the show and its cast received even before its debut. Stenberg highlighted that they were bracing for some negativity but the extent and nature of the vitriol were overwhelming.

‘The vitriol we faced started when the show was still a mere concept,’ Stenberg explained. They described the backlash as predominantly driven by ‘hyper-conservative bigotry’ that impacted them deeply right from when they first joined the project.

Despite the series’ premature end, Stenberg remains positive about their time in the Star Wars universe. They felt honored and joyful to have been part of such a significant franchise. The support from fans, through fan art and theories, was particularly uplifting for Stenberg amidst the negativity. They emphasized the value and joy brought by the supportive and enthusiastic fans, making the entire experience worthwhile.

In addition to sharing their personal reflections, Stenberg expressed gratitude towards Lucasfilm and series creator Leslye Headland. They praised the creative vision and support from the team, especially producer Rayne Roberts, and the inspirational experience of working on the series.

Stenberg also touched on broader societal issues, attributing some of the show’s challenges to the current climate of division, driven by biased algorithms and echo chambers. They urged everyone, including themselves, to be more critical of the information they consume and to actively participate in shaping a more understanding and inclusive society.

Finally, Stenberg noted the importance of staying engaged and making voices heard through voting, hinting at the power of collective action in driving change.

Their Instagram message isn’t the first time Stenberg has addressed the negativity surrounding ‘The Acolyte’. Earlier, they released a music video that directly responded to the critics, showcasing their creative resilience and commitment to confronting issues head-on.

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