THE ACOLYTE Showrunner Confirms Multi-Season Plan And Reveals Surprisingly Short Episode Runtimes

THE ACOLYTE Showrunner Confirms Multi-Season Plan And Reveals Surprisingly Short Episode Runtimes

Star Wars: The Acolyte showrunner Leslye Headland has revealed new details about her approach to the upcoming series, including the fact she pitched it as being a multi-season story and episode runtimes...

By JoshWilding - Mar 20, 2024 08:03 PM EST
Filed Under: Star Wars
Source: SFFGazette.com

The first trailer for Star Wars: The Acolyte was released yesterday and, unsurprisingly, it's split opinions among fans of the franchise. That's become the norm in recent years, but it seems the majority is intrigued by where this High Republic story will take them. 

Showrunner Leslye Headland recently spoke with Collider (via SFFGazette.com) and was asked how much we're actually seeing from the 8-episode series in that sneak peek. "It's from a lot of episodes," she confirms. "It's not from a whole series, but I would say it's from 4 to 5 episodes."

As for how long each of those will be, it sounds like The Acolyte's episodes will be on the shorter side. "About 30 minutes, yeah. I would say some of them are a little bit longer, like the finale, I think it's 40 minutes. But there are also some that I think are barely 30 minutes. On average, I would say somewhere between like 30-35 [minutes]."

Star Wars fans have typically been disappointed when episodes of The Mandalorian and Ahsoka, for example, have clocked in at the 30-minute mark, but that's typically because their respective seasons have boasted much longer instalments. However, it seems The Acolyte was developed with these runtimes in mind.  

That doesn't mean this should be viewed as a four-hour movie presented in an episodic format, though. 

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"I think that [Russian Doll] was this continuous [thing], like a really good album," Headland said, dismissing the notion of The Acolyte being a movie split into eight episodes. "It was meant to be sat and watched and listened to and all that kind of stuff. But I actually think that it is a more weekly experience, and I think it's good that it's a weekly experience because I think when you're dealing with really heavy issues, especially in Star Wars, I think having a break for a week is actually a good idea."

Looking to the future, the showrunner's hope seems to be for The Acolyte to play out over multiple years. Whether that will happen with Disney shifting focus back to theatrical releases is hard to say (The Mandalorian season 4 is now The Mandalorian & Grogu), but will this make for a satisfying one-and-done?

"I would say that when I pitched it, I definitely pitched it as a multi-season show," Headland reveals. "There are a lot of things at the end of this season that I think are narrative threads that are not tied up, for sure. However, I am the type of writer that is not interested in an emotional cliffhanger. I want you to feel like you've had a particular type of catharsis, and an emotional experience in watching those eight episodes because I like rewarding the audience with that."

"I still think that means you can pepper in things that are like, 'I wanna see where that's gonna go' and, 'Oh, I didn't realize that person was related to that person in this way, and I'd like to see more.' But there isn't something where you feel like you're on the edge of your seat to have that catharsis, and then you have to wait two years. These things take forever to make, so I would hate to make a season that didn't feel complete, even if it was still open for more story."

Star Wars: The Acolyte will premiere on Disney+ on June 4. 

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HashTagSwagg
HashTagSwagg - 3/20/2024, 8:07 PM
So it's basically a movie dragged out into short episodes, worked wonders for those Marvel D+ shows
Taonrey
Taonrey - 3/20/2024, 8:11 PM
@HashTagSwagg - I mean they did it with Kenobi and Ashoka. Definitely going to be a wait until it’s all released for me.
jst5
jst5 - 3/20/2024, 8:23 PM
@Taonrey - You won't miss anything by passing this up.The show has been in the can for awhile and for whatever stuff hasn't leaked out about the show even though it's already been viewed in private by a number of reviewers.

The story is all over the place...the writing is comical....I full expect a number of cringe lines to come out of from this show.There is no edge to the show at all...it's teen samurai,meets The View,meets Mean Girls,meets the Mickey Mouse Club.
Patient2670
Patient2670 - 3/20/2024, 9:15 PM
@jst5 - Are you actually one ov those viewers who screened it in private, or is this just what you're hearing?
jst5
jst5 - 3/20/2024, 9:42 PM
@Patient2670 - I have not....I know someone who already screened it...actually two.I'm really surprised not much has leaked about it(it's coming)....private viewings happened like three weeks ago.One is a SW/Disney hater so not surprised he hated it...and the other is a Disney lover and she was the one who gave the worst review of it which caught me off guard lol.She LOVED The Marvels because well it's Disney.

Not a good sign...I do know months back some stuff leaked out that the show was a cluster of mess it seems that might be the case.Again this isn't a big surprise to me.
Vigor
Vigor - 3/20/2024, 9:46 PM
@jst5 - oh no. I hope everything you just said is false!
jst5
jst5 - 3/20/2024, 9:49 PM
@Vigor - It's not...
Patient2670
Patient2670 - 3/21/2024, 12:31 PM
@jst5 - Interesting, thanks. I was just curious because I tend not to watch or read "leaked" material. I'll sometimes even avoid too many trailers. I miss the days of just going for the ride and being surprised. I know, yet here I am reading the article and chatting on the boards. Ironic, right? This isn't a show that's all that important to me, I'm curious and hoping for something fun. If not?... oh well. LOL!
jst5
jst5 - 3/21/2024, 12:33 PM
@Patient2670 - I hear you....the director said it's samurai meets Frozen so I wasn't expecting much from the start...that and she's said some other really dumb stuff.
RegularPoochie
RegularPoochie - 3/22/2024, 1:59 PM
@jst5 - because those people will never ever get to see anything and gets sued.
jst5
jst5 - 3/22/2024, 3:03 PM
@RegularPoochie - You'd be surprised at how some private screeners swing that to make some cash off what they watched and leaking to sites.
TheShape9859
TheShape9859 - 3/20/2024, 8:07 PM
Surprisingly shot??? Bruh...hang it up. You failed
Taonrey
Taonrey - 3/20/2024, 8:10 PM
I’m assuming you meant short , if you did how is this surprising? Literally all the Disney + mcu and Lucasfilm shows hover around 30-40 minutes. It’s the one thing we knew for sure going in lol.
TheLight
TheLight - 3/20/2024, 8:17 PM
"THE ACOLYTE Showrunner Confirms Multi-Season Plan...."


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redtom
redtom - 3/20/2024, 8:18 PM
FFS, more of this 30 minute bullshit? Make a proper TV show.
Nightwing1015
Nightwing1015 - 3/20/2024, 8:19 PM
@redtom - plenty of TV shows were/are 22 minutes
AscendedExtra
AscendedExtra - 3/21/2024, 8:52 AM
@Nightwing1015 - Sitcoms and cartoons, man. Not traditional TV dramas.

I used to think one of the reasons Mando episodes were so short is that Filoni's background was in writing for animation, but that's not an excuse that should carry him thru multiple seasons of live-action TV, nevermind multiple shows. Andor is the model they need to follow with their live-action shows, not Clone Wars.
marvel72
marvel72 - 3/20/2024, 8:20 PM
Someone needs to do an article on the dislike/thumbs down this trailer received on YouTube,not good at all.

You did one for The Crow.
Toonstrack
Toonstrack - 3/20/2024, 10:01 PM
@marvel72 - why? Pretty obvious those dislikes are from brigading.
marvel72
marvel72 - 3/20/2024, 10:06 PM
@Toonstrack - So what are you saying it's OK to make an article for disliking The Crow trailer but not Star Wars:The Acolyte trailer.
Toonstrack
Toonstrack - 3/20/2024, 10:08 PM
@marvel72 - they're gonna make whatever article they think will get clicks.
McMurdo
McMurdo - 3/21/2024, 12:03 AM
@Toonstrack - cope harder
Toonstrack
Toonstrack - 3/21/2024, 1:47 AM
@McMurdo - why? I got what I want. More star wars from Disney.

You aren't getting what you want. Ever. No amount of dislikes will change that.
rebellion
rebellion - 3/21/2024, 2:52 AM
@Toonstrack - you think people envy the fact that you lick your disney+ plate clean? LOL
FireandBlood
FireandBlood - 3/21/2024, 4:53 AM
@rebellion - well they’re miserable and he’s not, so there’s that.
rebellion
rebellion - 3/21/2024, 12:46 PM
@FireandBlood - ignorance is bliss, i guess.
FireandBlood
FireandBlood - 3/21/2024, 12:58 PM
@rebellion - Is it ignorant to like something you’re going out of your way to hate? I don’t think so. He’s finding enjoyment in something you’re actively against trying to. Says more about you, really.
rebellion
rebellion - 3/21/2024, 1:01 PM
@FireandBlood - i didnt lie. people who lack mental capacity for critical thinking find it easier to enjoy all sorts of things. im not 'trying' anything... really, it takes very little effort (if any) to state what's obvious.
FireandBlood
FireandBlood - 3/21/2024, 1:26 PM
@rebellion - I might have entertained your point, if we wasn’t on a site about superheroes talking about a fantasy show that neither you nor I have seen to level the amount of mental capacity it takes to appreciate.

I’m not sure what air of superiority you think surrounds your person, but comic book movies are rarely what you’d call highbrow entertainment, and I’d imagine a few of your favourites are enjoyed by the most common of denominators. Let’s try stay humble.
rebellion
rebellion - 3/21/2024, 2:45 PM
@FireandBlood - i will save me being humble for something other than generic star wars show #234
FireandBlood
FireandBlood - 3/21/2024, 3:38 PM
@rebellion - Oh, wow. For someone who was just trying to act all holier than thou about their own mental capacity, what I said really flew over your head.
rebellion
rebellion - 3/21/2024, 3:55 PM
@FireandBlood - you aint my daddy :D
Toonstrack
Toonstrack - 3/22/2024, 2:04 PM
@rebellion - you're envious of the fact I still enjoy star wars. And you cwnt bring yourself to because of your politics.

Maybe let those go first and then you can heal, and have enjoyment like me.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 3/20/2024, 8:27 PM
Sounds good , I especially like her comments of giving a catharsis for the audience because I honestly prefer that aswell over cliffhangers…

In this day & age , you never know how long a show will last or not so it’s nice to get a complete story in a season whilst laying possible seeds for the future which Headland seems to be doing which i appreciate.

Also , it all depends on how the runtime for the episodes are utilized…

A 30-35 minute story if well done can be just as satisfying as a 40 min to an hour one.

Anyway , looking forward to this so hope it turns out well!!.

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Vigor
Vigor - 3/20/2024, 9:44 PM
@TheVisionary25 - hey I'm curious. What was your username before your name now?
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 3/20/2024, 9:48 PM
@Vigor - TheDoctor1225
Vigor
Vigor - 3/20/2024, 10:02 PM
@TheVisionary25 - the adding of a gif after your comment gave it away!
It was a defining feature to your comments.

We missed you. People have been asking where you've been
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 3/20/2024, 10:05 PM
@Vigor - I took a break for awhile due to personal life stuff and honestly. The overwhelming negativity toxicity of this site really got to me

But I have been back for a bit now and hope to stick around
Vigor
Vigor - 3/20/2024, 10:11 PM
@TheVisionary25 - unfortunately the negativity got worse. I've even begun blocking people. Vigor of yesteryear would never block a soul. But I guess time changes everything.

Your comments remain positive and that little bit of light makes it welcoming to come here. So please stick around !
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 3/20/2024, 10:13 PM
@Vigor - thank you , I’ll try haha
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