THE ACOLYTE Star Lee Jung-jae Reflects On Cancellation And Negative Backlash: "My Feelings Were Hurt"

THE ACOLYTE Star Lee Jung-jae Reflects On Cancellation And Negative Backlash: "My Feelings Were Hurt"

Lee Jung-jae, who played noble, but flawed Jedi Master Sol in The Acolyte, has reflected on the show's premature cancellation, and the negative backlash he and other cast members received...

By MarkCassidy - Dec 03, 2024 12:12 PM EST
Filed Under: Star Wars
Source: Via SFF Gazette

Back in August, we got word that Lucasfilm/Disney would not be moving forward with a second season of The Acolyte.

The decision was met with a mixture of indifference and disappointment, but it's very clear that a lot of Star Wars fans - and some of the actors involved with the show - were surprised by this development.

Despite some rumors to the contrary, reliable reports suggested that The Acolyte was cancelled because it didn't get enough viewers, plain and simple. However, it's difficult to disregard the possibility that the level of negativity surrounding the show did influence the studio's decision to at least some extent.

While speaking to Vanity Fair about season 2 of Squid Game, star Lee Jung-jae (Master Sol) reflected on the backlash the show received from certain fans, with some cast members being subjected to racist, homophobic and misogynistic abuse online.

“My feelings were hurt,” he admitted. “Especially for Leslye Headland—her feelings must have hurt a lot. I can only have faith that racism will end someday, even though it’s going to be hard.”

Lee added that he is optimistic that viewers will revisit The Acolyte down the line, and may gain a new appreciation for the High Republic Era-set tale. “For some work, it takes time to gain traction, and I have strong hopes that people will like it as time passes." 

Sol was killed off in the finale, and likely wouldn't have been back for a second season, anyway, but there were a number of plot threads and character arcs left unresolved, including the much-discussed live-action introduction of Darth Plagueis

In The Acolyte, an investigation into a shocking crime spree pits a respected Jedi Master (Lee Jung-jae) against a dangerous warrior from his past (Amandla Stenberg). As more clues emerge, they travel down a dark path where sinister forces reveal all is not what it seems.

 The series stars Amandla Stenberg, Lee Jung-jae, Manny Jacinto, Dafne Keen, Charlie Barnett, Jodie Turner-Smith, Rebecca Henderson, Dean-Charles Chapman, Joonas Suotamo, and Carrie-Anne Moss.

Leslye Headland created the series, based on Star Wars by George Lucas, and serves as an executive producer along with Kathleen Kennedy, Simon Emanuel, Jeff F. King and Jason Micallef. Charmaine DeGraté and Kor Adana are the co-executive producers. Rayne Roberts, Damian Anderson, Eileen Shim and Rob Bredow are the producers.

Headland also directed the premiere episodes (Eps. 101 & 102). Directors Kogonada (Eps. 103 & 107), Alex Garcia Lopez (Eps. 104 & 105) and Hanelle Culpepper (Eps. 106 & 108) round out the directing duties on the series.

"I really wanted to tell a story about the Sith," Headland told EW in a recent interview. "That was kind of my dream Star Wars idea. But it felt like the time period to do that in would be something pre-Phantom Menace. That seemed to be the most interesting trajectory for the Sith: How did the Sith go from the Rule of Two and being quote-unquote 'extinct' to Palpatine coming into power without the Jedi knowing about it?"

Award-winning composer Michael Abels, known for his work on Get Out and Us, scored The Acolyte.

SKELETON CREW Reviews Are In; Latest Disney+ STAR WARS Series Earns Near-Perfect Rotten Tomatoes Score
Related:

SKELETON CREW Reviews Are In; Latest Disney+ STAR WARS Series Earns Near-Perfect Rotten Tomatoes Score

SKELETON CREW Review: The Latest Disney+ STAR WARS Series Gets Off To A Promising Start
Recommended For You:

SKELETON CREW Review: The Latest Disney+ STAR WARS Series Gets Off To A Promising Start

DISCLAIMER: As a user generated site and platform, ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and "Safe Harbor" provisions.

This post was submitted by a user who has agreed to our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. ComicBookMovie.com will disable users who knowingly commit plagiarism, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement. Please CONTACT US for expeditious removal of copyrighted/trademarked content. CLICK HERE to learn more about our copyright and trademark policies.

Note that ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

1 2 3
MCUKnight11
MCUKnight11 - 12/3/2024, 12:29 PM
Not defending the show but I think there is a way to ask for better stories without harassment.
User Comment Image
Malatrova15
Malatrova15 - 12/3/2024, 2:46 PM
@MCUKnight11 - so...whats your pitch?
ZiggyStarman
ZiggyStarman - 12/3/2024, 12:31 PM
“Feelings hurt” and what “Racism”, I love him in the Good Place. But he might be less intelligent than his character Jason. He sounds like a professional victim.
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 12/3/2024, 12:34 PM
@ZiggyStarman - Ironically enough, you have the wrong actor.
ZiggyStarman
ZiggyStarman - 12/3/2024, 12:42 PM
@MarkCassidy - I'm genuinely glad I am because I like the guy. He is a great actor and I was worried he was a liberal wimp.
SATW42
SATW42 - 12/3/2024, 12:53 PM
@ZiggyStarman - for [frick]s sake, why does politics have to come into [frick]ing everything. Apart from the fact that you're throwing around internet tough guy machismo with "wimp" when if you said it to his face he could probably body you with one hit, but then you throw "liberal" in there, and it just makes you look like a trolling moron.
Vigor
Vigor - 12/3/2024, 1:01 PM
@ZiggyStarman - today I learned being a liberal wimp meant standing up against racism

I'm proudly a liberal wimp!
Slotherin
Slotherin - 12/3/2024, 1:16 PM
@ZiggyStarman - out of genuine curiosity, what do you think "liberal" means?

I can't help but sense some irony from saying that while having a Bowie-based profile.
Clintthahamster
Clintthahamster - 12/3/2024, 1:23 PM
@MarkCassidy - Seriously. "There was nothing racist about the dislike for this show" says the guy that can't tell a 37 year old Filipino-Canadian actor from a 51 year old Korean actor.
ZiggyStarman
ZiggyStarman - 12/3/2024, 1:27 PM
@SATW42 - the actor is the one decrying “racism” for the show's failure. Playing victim which is one shown by the left in recent years. Why would there be a fight? People should be able to discuss their opinions online or in person without being physically attacked.
ZiggyStarman
ZiggyStarman - 12/3/2024, 1:29 PM
@Vigor - it is if there is no racism and the backlash is due to the merits of the project itself. It is wimpy because the creative team is not taking accountability for its incompetence.
ZiggyStarman
ZiggyStarman - 12/3/2024, 1:33 PM
@Slotherin - a liberal is someone whose majority beliefs lean on the left side of the political structure. I used to be liberal but then the party for more and more toxic. They decry oppression in places where it doesn't exist and think anyone who is not with them completely is a fascist enemy.

As for my profile pic. I love David Bowie's music, and he is a true icon. I may not agree with him fully in politics. But I can still like and respect the guy.
Slotherin
Slotherin - 12/3/2024, 1:38 PM
@ZiggyStarman - liberal is just a concern for civil liberties.

Being liberal isn't a matter of being aligned with a particular party as much as that's been fairly misconstrued and bunched together particularly over these past few years.
Sounds like you're describing something akin to the concept of Neo-Liberal if anything.
ZiggyStarman
ZiggyStarman - 12/3/2024, 1:42 PM
@Slotherin - honestly that is fair enough. You are discussing things in good faith and I wish there were more people like you on the internet. I never heard the term neo-liberal but I'll look into it.
Slotherin
Slotherin - 12/3/2024, 1:46 PM
@ZiggyStarman - to my understanding it describes where things started to head with those who are like what you described in seeing injustice everywhere even where it doesn't exist, often aligned with hard left borderline authoritarian sensibilities(or rather lack thereof)... Distinguished from classical liberal very much.
I wish more people would as well. We'd make a lot more progress if people were more invested in leveling with one another than they are in trying to get one up on others.
ZiggyStarman
ZiggyStarman - 12/3/2024, 1:51 PM
@Slotherin - you are a pretty smart guy. Do you live in the central Florida area? Would love to get a drink with you and bounce ideas off each other.
LibraMatter
LibraMatter - 12/3/2024, 2:05 PM
@ZiggyStarman - One thing I truly have issue with in your comment is that you disregard someone’s experience because you have not lived in their shoes. You don’t know what that actor has gotten, response-wise from that show. He may have encountered a lot of racist comments or hate from people’s responses to the show and you’re just like “naw, Whatta wimp people aren’t being racist… ya liberal wimp”. It’s a little myopic. It’s just so easy to disregard thoughts of others so we can keep our life easy and move along.
Vigor
Vigor - 12/3/2024, 2:07 PM
@ZiggyStarman - who are you to speak on if there was racism or not. Do you personally manage his social media inbox?

The worst thing a person can do to a victim, is deny there was any victimizing at all. You need to stay off fox news and go educate yourself. It isn't left vs right like the people profiting want you to believe. It's basic human decency and rights
ZiggyStarman
ZiggyStarman - 12/3/2024, 2:24 PM
@LibraMatter - I'm not saying he isn't facing racism or is being harassed. I hope he is making it up because if it's true then it’s horrible. Every ounce of hate mail he receives is unfortunate. No matter how much or little there is. I'm saying the acolyte's low viewership and backlash predominantly came from bad-quality material and the general audience not tuning in. It did not get canceled because the neonazi audience boycotted it.
ZiggyStarman
ZiggyStarman - 12/3/2024, 2:28 PM
@Vigor - racism exists and the people harassing the actors all need to be put away because it's evil. I'm saying that it is not racism that got the show canceled, but the quality of the content.
GeneralZod
GeneralZod - 12/3/2024, 2:45 PM
@Slotherin - "I can't help but sense some irony from saying that while having a Bowie-based profile."

“I believe Britain could benefit from a fascist leader. After all, fascism is really nationalism.” David Bowie.
Malatrova15
Malatrova15 - 12/3/2024, 2:48 PM
@GeneralZod - Bowie was based 24/7
CreateNowSlpL8r
CreateNowSlpL8r - 12/3/2024, 2:54 PM
@Clintthahamster - Are you capable of posting anything that doesn't include race in it?

Doesn't seem like it.
Clintthahamster
Clintthahamster - 12/3/2024, 3:10 PM
@CreateNowSlpL8r - You created an account to post an article about how not everyone that dislikes this very TV show is racist, but I'm the one obsessed with race.

User Comment Image
SATW42
SATW42 - 12/3/2024, 3:25 PM
@ZiggyStarman - "I may not agree with him fully in politics. But I can still like and respect the guy."

See, you just stumbled onto the point, treat everyone like you treat David Bowie and we aren't having this conversation.
Vigor
Vigor - 12/3/2024, 3:26 PM
@ZiggyStarman - excuse me but where does it say he commented on why it got canceled?


"While speaking to Vanity Fair about season 2 of Squid Game, star Lee Jung-jae (Master Sol) reflected on the backlash the show received from certain fans, with some cast members being subjected to racist, homophobic and misogynistic abuse online."

He's talking about the backlash which you immediately dismissed because, that's what you and your type do
LibraMatter
LibraMatter - 12/3/2024, 4:05 PM
@SATW42 - haha. Well said. “Treat everybody like he would treat David Bowie”. That is a good approach.
cubrn
cubrn - 12/3/2024, 4:14 PM
@ZiggyStarman - you should go to YouTube and look up the time David Bowie called out MTV’s racism live on air with them.
ZiggyStarman
ZiggyStarman - 12/3/2024, 4:30 PM
@SATW42 - I have been very nice and respectable to everyone who has disagreed with me, there are quite a few. I didn't name-call, make cruel assumptions, or insult any of your intelligence. I am genuinely happy to have this healthy discussion.
ZiggyStarman
ZiggyStarman - 12/3/2024, 4:35 PM
@Vigor - if the pain he is suffering from is just from the racist attacks, then that is horrible. I didn’t dismiss that attack, I dismissed the fact that the acolyte got canceled due to racism. My heart goes out to any cast members who were personally attacked. Even if I hate the show, everyone is still people and should be treated with kindness.
SATW42
SATW42 - 12/3/2024, 4:42 PM
@ZiggyStarman - I meant the actor you were calling a "liberal wimp" If you approached how YOU started this conversation, we'd be having a different conversation.
SATW42
SATW42 - 12/3/2024, 4:44 PM
@ZiggyStarman - "I didn’t dismiss that attack, I dismissed the fact that the acolyte got canceled due to racism."

You called him a professional victim and then called him a liberal wimp. You know we can just scroll up right?
ZiggyStarman
ZiggyStarman - 12/3/2024, 5:06 PM
@SATW42 - I called him a liberal wimp because I thought he was complaining about the Acolytes cancellation. Blaming racism and bigotry. If he grief is just coming strictly from the personal attacks he is getting online, then I would retract my statement. You have to admit a lot of Acolyte fans blame its cancellation on racism, I put him on that category.
CreateNowSlpL8r
CreateNowSlpL8r - 12/3/2024, 5:22 PM
@Clintthahamster - I created an account after Nate responded to a post I made in another article. It was a supposed to be a contrast in opinion which at the time, every article being posted everywhere was about the poor Acolyte getting picked on by racists and I was sick of it.

I dissected everything that was wrong with the Acolyte from a story point of view based on knows, established story and narrative structures. I also told Nate (and whoever else) asked about switching accounts. I've never posted as my old account again so guess again.

The comments in that article were healthy, even with people I disagree with because the points I made (which went over your head I guess), were valid.

I specifically started a new account because this board was on fire and everyone was getting too nasty. Fresh start if you will. At the time, I planned (and still plan) to write more editorial pieces. Josh, Mark and crew keep up with the headlines and I'm not interested in that.

That said, you can post your memes all you want. Every other post you make has some kind of race element to it. Even after I took the time to respond repeatedly during the election, you still come in with these accusations of race and such when you know people just disagree with you.

This show did not fail because the lead had brown skin. It was poorly produced, written, acted, and directed. Sometimes, its just that simple.

Look at Wicked, I don't see all the racists out for that one. Female led, one of which is queer and black. That movie seems to be doing just fine and I dont see any outrage. I cited similar examples in the article you ignored but you don't want to hear it.
Slotherin
Slotherin - 12/3/2024, 5:27 PM
@GeneralZod - well played.

Slotherin
Slotherin - 12/3/2024, 5:32 PM
@CreateNowSlpL8r - to be fair, Wicked is contending with a predominantly female fanbase while SW deals with a more predominantly male fanbase, especially on the toxic side of it... It's not like they're dealing with the same sample group for the most part.
Slotherin
Slotherin - 12/3/2024, 5:34 PM
@ZiggyStarman - nah, but my inbox is open
CreateNowSlpL8r
CreateNowSlpL8r - 12/3/2024, 5:41 PM
@Slotherin - fair enough but that wouldn't stop the vitriol would it?

Or maybe, the show runner, the studio head, then the lead actress coming out and attacking the fans wasn't a great idea. We can't just take the piece we want to make our argument and ignore the rest.

It wasn't just a bad show, it was a badly handled show. The entire studio is handled badly. They announce more movies than any studio I can think of only to never make them. Think of that, they can't get a Star Wars movie made. Sometimes, we have to look at the people in charge and just say they aren't the right people. The fact that they spent all that money for this outcome should have resulted in a firing but they can't fire her.
Slotherin
Slotherin - 12/3/2024, 5:49 PM
@CreateNowSlpL8r - I know it may seem like it because I addressed your mention of Wicked in comparison but I wasn't even trying to get locked in a defense of the Acolyte...
Just pointing out what we all know already about SW... It has a rather rabid fandom. Or at least a rather rabid subset of fandom. Something that we've known for a while now...

And no, they wouldn't affect Wicked because Wicked isn't in their scope.
Maybe occasionally Wicked gets a mention here but generally no one cares enough because it isn't the franchise they're rabidly protective of.
Again, different sample groups
Clintthahamster
Clintthahamster - 12/3/2024, 8:06 PM
@CreateNowSlpL8r - Re: the first four paragraphs, that is a whole helluva lot of words to say "I created an account to post an article about how not everyone that dislikes this very TV show is racist."

"Every other post you make has some kind of race element to it."

There's probably some confirmation bias at work here, but I'll grant you that I respond to comments with racist, misogynist, homophobic, or transphobic undertones (or overtones, in many cases) more often than I post or comment on other topics. It's just that there's so much of that shit going around.

"you still come in with these accusations of race and such when you know people just disagree with you."

I don't. Talking about bigotry, or disagreeing with someone about instances of bigotry in culture, is not remotely the same thing as calling them a bigot. But yes, as was the case with that white supremacist the other day, I'm going to call that shit out when I see it.

"This show did not fail because the lead had brown skin. It was poorly produced, written, acted, and directed."

I haven't said otherwise.

"Sometimes, its just that simple."

Sometimes it is. I don't think it is in this case. I have never, and would never, say that this show failed solely because of racism. I have said that racist, misogynistic, and homophobic sentiment about this show contributed to negative word of mouth prior to the show airing, and that likely had some impact on the number of people that tuned in.

I've also said, repeatedly, in this thread and elsewhere, that this show had issues with pacing, characterization, writing, and acting that contributed to more and more people tuning out as the show progressed, leading to insufficient ratings to justify renewing this very expensive show for another season.

"Look at Wicked, I don't see all the racists out for that one"

Apples and oranges, as Slotherin ably explained.
1 2 3

Please log in to post comments.

Don't have an account?
Please Register.

View Recorder