Jodie Turner-Smith, who played Mother Aniseya in The Acolyte, has called out Disney for not doing enough to defend the cast - particularly Amandla Stenberg - when they were targetted for online abuse.
Back in August, we got word that Lucasfilm/Disney would not be moving forward with a second season of the Disney+ Star Wars series, despite several major storylines and character arcs being left unresolved by the end of the season 1 finale.
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.
The "official" reason for the show's cancellation was low/declining viewership, but many feel the intense backlash from a vocal minority may have factored into the decision. We may never know if this was the case, but Stenberg...
Back in August, we got word that Lucasfilm/Disney would not be moving forward with a second season of the Disney+ Star Wars series, despite several major storylines and character arcs being left unresolved by the end of the season 1 finale.
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.
The "official" reason for the show's cancellation was low/declining viewership, but many feel the intense backlash from a vocal minority may have factored into the decision. We may never know if this was the case, but Stenberg...
- 10/7/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
Emerald Fennell has found her Cathy and Heathcliff. The “Saltburn” and “Promising Young Woman” director had set up an adaptation of Emily Brontë’s “Wuthering Heights” at MRC, and now it’s full speed into the moors as Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi have joined the project in the lead roles of the doomed lovers.
Elordi is reuniting with Fennell after starring in her nuclear reactor of a social media buzz generator “Saltburn” in 2023, with Robbie’s LuckyChap producing for MRC. LuckyChap produced both “Saltburn” and Fennell’s Oscar-winning debut “Promising Young Woman.”
The film is now in pre-production, gearing up for a UK shoot in 2025. Fennell had already teased the project in a cryptic way, with an Instagram post featuring the title and the tagline “Be with me always. Take any form. Drive me mad.”
Emily Brontë’s only novel, “Wuthering Heights,” published in 1847, established a type of Gothic...
Elordi is reuniting with Fennell after starring in her nuclear reactor of a social media buzz generator “Saltburn” in 2023, with Robbie’s LuckyChap producing for MRC. LuckyChap produced both “Saltburn” and Fennell’s Oscar-winning debut “Promising Young Woman.”
The film is now in pre-production, gearing up for a UK shoot in 2025. Fennell had already teased the project in a cryptic way, with an Instagram post featuring the title and the tagline “Be with me always. Take any form. Drive me mad.”
Emily Brontë’s only novel, “Wuthering Heights,” published in 1847, established a type of Gothic...
- 9/23/2024
- by Christian Blauvelt
- Indiewire
Academy Award winner Emerald Fennell’s anticipated “Wuthering Heights” adaptation just got buzzier with Academy Award nominee Margot Robbie and BAFTA nominee Jacob Elordi attached to star as Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff.
MRC has tapped LuckyChap to produce the upcoming feature film — written, directed and produced by Fennell, based on the classic romance novel by Emily Brontë. This marks LuckyChap and Fennell’s third collaboration following 2020’s “Promising Young Woman” (which won Fennell the Oscar for best original screenplay) and 2023’s “Saltburn.” Fennell also had a featured role in LuckyChap’s $1.4 billion-grossing and Academy Award-winning “Barbie” movie, which Robbie produced and starred in last year.
“Wuthering Heights” is in pre-production, gearing up for a 2025 shoot in the U.K.
Fennell announced her plans to adapt “Wuthering Heights” as her third feature in July, posting a surprise announcement to social media with a graphic that reads, “Be with me always – Take any form – Drive me mad,...
MRC has tapped LuckyChap to produce the upcoming feature film — written, directed and produced by Fennell, based on the classic romance novel by Emily Brontë. This marks LuckyChap and Fennell’s third collaboration following 2020’s “Promising Young Woman” (which won Fennell the Oscar for best original screenplay) and 2023’s “Saltburn.” Fennell also had a featured role in LuckyChap’s $1.4 billion-grossing and Academy Award-winning “Barbie” movie, which Robbie produced and starred in last year.
“Wuthering Heights” is in pre-production, gearing up for a 2025 shoot in the U.K.
Fennell announced her plans to adapt “Wuthering Heights” as her third feature in July, posting a surprise announcement to social media with a graphic that reads, “Be with me always – Take any form – Drive me mad,...
- 9/23/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Amandla Stenberg, who played the dual lead roles of Force-sensitive "twins" Osha and Mae in The Acolyte, has broken her silence on Disney+'s latest Star Wars series being cancelled, and it sounds like she feels the negative backlash did contribute to Lucasfilm's decision to some extent.
Reports have indicated that the studio decided not to renew the show for a second season because of declining viewership, but Stenberg believes that a "rampage of hyper-conservative bigotry and vitriol, prejudice, hatred, and hateful language" contributed to the overall negative perception of the project.
“It’s not a huge shock for me [that it was canceled]. Of course, I live in the bubble of my own reality but for those who aren’t aware there has been a rampage of vitriol that we have faced since the show was even announced ... when it was still just a concept and no one had even seen it.
Reports have indicated that the studio decided not to renew the show for a second season because of declining viewership, but Stenberg believes that a "rampage of hyper-conservative bigotry and vitriol, prejudice, hatred, and hateful language" contributed to the overall negative perception of the project.
“It’s not a huge shock for me [that it was canceled]. Of course, I live in the bubble of my own reality but for those who aren’t aware there has been a rampage of vitriol that we have faced since the show was even announced ... when it was still just a concept and no one had even seen it.
- 8/29/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
Earlier this week, we got word that Lucasfilm/Disney will not be moving forward with a second season of The Acolyte despite several major storylines and character arcs being left unresolved by the end of the season 1 finale.
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.
Showrunner Leslye Headland was hoping to be able to continue her High Republic era-set tale, and rumor has it that the studio was planning a second season up until fairly recently.
So, what happened?
Despite speculation that the negative backlash from many Star Wars fans contributed to the decision, Jeff Sneider (via SFFGazette.com) is reporting that The Acolyte was cancelled because it didn't get enough viewers, plain and simple.
"Insiders explain that 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.
Showrunner Leslye Headland was hoping to be able to continue her High Republic era-set tale, and rumor has it that the studio was planning a second season up until fairly recently.
So, what happened?
Despite speculation that the negative backlash from many Star Wars fans contributed to the decision, Jeff Sneider (via SFFGazette.com) is reporting that The Acolyte was cancelled because it didn't get enough viewers, plain and simple.
"Insiders explain that The Acolyte...
- 8/24/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
The news that Lucasfilm will not be renewing The Acolyte for a second season broke earlier this week, and while some weren't overly surprised (or bothered), others were very disappointed that this High Republic era-story will not continue.
The series, which was created by Leslye Headland (Russian Doll), received mostly positive reviews from critics, but was not as warmly embraced by the fandom, earning just an 18% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. A certain amount of the negative feedback can be attributed to review-bombing, but even so, it's clear that The Acolyte was not one of the more popular Disney+ Star Wars shows.
The enigmatic Sith warrior known as The Stranger, aka Qimir, and the flawed Jedi Master Sol were two of the show's most popular characters, and actors Manny Jacinto and Lee Jung-jae have now shared their responses to the cancellation.
Lee admits that he was "personally, quite surprised" by the news.
The series, which was created by Leslye Headland (Russian Doll), received mostly positive reviews from critics, but was not as warmly embraced by the fandom, earning just an 18% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. A certain amount of the negative feedback can be attributed to review-bombing, but even so, it's clear that The Acolyte was not one of the more popular Disney+ Star Wars shows.
The enigmatic Sith warrior known as The Stranger, aka Qimir, and the flawed Jedi Master Sol were two of the show's most popular characters, and actors Manny Jacinto and Lee Jung-jae have now shared their responses to the cancellation.
Lee admits that he was "personally, quite surprised" by the news.
- 8/23/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
Everyone knows Apple TV+ for Ted Lasso, The Morning Show, and Severance. There have been a few other popular TV shows sprinkled in over the last few years. Presumed Innocent starring Jake Gyllenhaal had some good buzz recently. Despite Apple TV+’s substantial investment into the TV business, it’s still looking for mainstream hits.
And, let me be clear. I am a fan of Apple TV+. I appreciate how many TV shows with huge stars the streamer is cranking out these days, but it’s just so odd that almost no one is talking about these great shows!
I put together a list of the four most underrated shows on Apple TV+ that you need to watch right now!
Pachinko
Pachinko is based on the book of the same name by Min Jin Lee, and it was developed for Apple TV+ by Soo Hugh. Kogonada and Justin Chon directed...
And, let me be clear. I am a fan of Apple TV+. I appreciate how many TV shows with huge stars the streamer is cranking out these days, but it’s just so odd that almost no one is talking about these great shows!
I put together a list of the four most underrated shows on Apple TV+ that you need to watch right now!
Pachinko
Pachinko is based on the book of the same name by Min Jin Lee, and it was developed for Apple TV+ by Soo Hugh. Kogonada and Justin Chon directed...
- 8/22/2024
- by Bryce Olin
- ShowSnob
The Apple TV+ drama series “Pachinko” will begin its second season on August 23, telling the continuing story of a Korean family across generations. The show is based on the bestselling novel by Min Jin Lee. Season two will pick up where season one left off, chronicling the struggles and resilience of the family in the face of adversity.
The new season resumes the story of Sunja, a strong-willed woman who fled Korea in the 1930s for Japan due to an unexpected pregnancy. Season one followed her journey and the lives of her descendants, shifting between the 1930s in Korea and 1980s Japan. Season two expands on this timeline to explore the start of World War II and the hardships faced by Sunja’s two sons, Noa and Mozasu, as they take different paths in life under Japanese occupation.
Series creator Soo Hugh said viewers will be “taken on an even deeper emotional journey” this season.
The new season resumes the story of Sunja, a strong-willed woman who fled Korea in the 1930s for Japan due to an unexpected pregnancy. Season one followed her journey and the lives of her descendants, shifting between the 1930s in Korea and 1980s Japan. Season two expands on this timeline to explore the start of World War II and the hardships faced by Sunja’s two sons, Noa and Mozasu, as they take different paths in life under Japanese occupation.
Series creator Soo Hugh said viewers will be “taken on an even deeper emotional journey” this season.
- 8/21/2024
- by Naser Nahandian
- Gazettely
We found out late last night that The Acolyte will not return, with Lucasfilm making the decision to cancel the latest live-action Disney+ Star Wars series after just a single season.
The news was met with indifference by those who were never particularly invested in the story, but a lot of fans were disappointed, due in no small part to the fact that the finale left so many major plot points unresolved.
The narrative seems to be that Lucasfilm/Disney never intended to renew the show for more episodes due to low viewership numbers (the verbiage doesn't really matter - the show is not returning), but this may not be the case after all.
According to The Hot Mic co-host John Rocha, tentative plans were in place to develop a second season.
Rocha's sources told him that The Acolyte actually had a "soft green light" to continue, and Lucasfilm...
The news was met with indifference by those who were never particularly invested in the story, but a lot of fans were disappointed, due in no small part to the fact that the finale left so many major plot points unresolved.
The narrative seems to be that Lucasfilm/Disney never intended to renew the show for more episodes due to low viewership numbers (the verbiage doesn't really matter - the show is not returning), but this may not be the case after all.
According to The Hot Mic co-host John Rocha, tentative plans were in place to develop a second season.
Rocha's sources told him that The Acolyte actually had a "soft green light" to continue, and Lucasfilm...
- 8/20/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
Lucasfilm has decided not to move forward with a second season of Disney+'s latest live-action Star Wars series. The news has now been confirmed by both Deadline and THR: The Acolyte has officially been cancelled.
The series, which was created by Leslye Headland (Russian Doll), received mostly positive reviews from critics, but was not as warmly embraced by the fandom, earning just an 18% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
A certain amount of the negative feedback can be attributed to review-bombing, but even so, it's clear that The Acolyte was not one of the more popular Disney+ Star Wars shows.
“It was an easy target,” said one source. “And it hurt the public perception of the show.”
The Acolyte got off to a strong start after its two-episode premiere, generating 4.8M views in its first day on Disney+ to rank as the biggest series premiere on the streamer this year.
The series, which was created by Leslye Headland (Russian Doll), received mostly positive reviews from critics, but was not as warmly embraced by the fandom, earning just an 18% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
A certain amount of the negative feedback can be attributed to review-bombing, but even so, it's clear that The Acolyte was not one of the more popular Disney+ Star Wars shows.
“It was an easy target,” said one source. “And it hurt the public perception of the show.”
The Acolyte got off to a strong start after its two-episode premiere, generating 4.8M views in its first day on Disney+ to rank as the biggest series premiere on the streamer this year.
- 8/20/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
May 2025 will mark the release of Margot Robbie’s follow-up to Barbie – A Big Bold Beautiful Journey.
Margot Robbie has all the ingredients necessary to be a world-beating movie star right now: her last film, Barbie, was the most commercially successful movie of 2023 and it was a project that she also produced. LuckyChap, Robbie’s production company is developing all kinds of interesting projects and Robbie herself is attached to some major franchises that are grinding into motion: A Pirates of The Caribbean film, an Oceans’ Eleven prequel, An Avengelyne movie. Then there’s the LuckyChap takes on The Sims and Monopoly, two huge game titles that could yet feature Robbie in front of the camera.
Before all of that though, the actor will be appearing with Colin Farrell and director Koganda to make A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, an ‘imaginative tale of two strangers and the unbelievable journey that...
Margot Robbie has all the ingredients necessary to be a world-beating movie star right now: her last film, Barbie, was the most commercially successful movie of 2023 and it was a project that she also produced. LuckyChap, Robbie’s production company is developing all kinds of interesting projects and Robbie herself is attached to some major franchises that are grinding into motion: A Pirates of The Caribbean film, an Oceans’ Eleven prequel, An Avengelyne movie. Then there’s the LuckyChap takes on The Sims and Monopoly, two huge game titles that could yet feature Robbie in front of the camera.
Before all of that though, the actor will be appearing with Colin Farrell and director Koganda to make A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, an ‘imaginative tale of two strangers and the unbelievable journey that...
- 8/16/2024
- by Dan Cooper
- Film Stories
After banking over one billion dollars at the box office with Greta Gerwig’s joyous Barbie movie, Margot Robbie is ready to embark on A Big Bold Beautiful Journey in 2025. The Kogonada-directed drama opens on May 9, 2025, during Mother’s Day weekend. The newly-announced release date finds A Big Bold Beautiful Journey arriving in theaters one week after the theatrical debut of Marvel Studios‘ Thunderbolts*, which hits cinemas on May 2, 2025. Some could say it’s a bold move to go toe-to-toe with one of Marvel’s action blockbusters, especially after the overwhelming success of the studio’s Deadpool & Wolverine, which has banked over one billion at the box office.
Kogonada directs A Big Bold Beautiful Journey from a script by Seth Reiss. The film reportedly focuses on two strangers and how their paths align unexpectedly. Lily Rabe, Jodie Turner-Smith, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and Hamish Linklater join the cast alongside Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell.
Kogonada directs A Big Bold Beautiful Journey from a script by Seth Reiss. The film reportedly focuses on two strangers and how their paths align unexpectedly. Lily Rabe, Jodie Turner-Smith, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and Hamish Linklater join the cast alongside Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell.
- 8/15/2024
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Sony has dated Margot Robbie’ first post-Barbie theatrical release, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey.
Robbie and Colin Farrell co-star in the movie that will hit theaters on May 9, 2025 over Mother’s Day weekend.
Kogonada (After Yang, Pachinko) directs the film from a script by Seth Reiss. At the time the project was announced, the plot details were scarce, but the movie is said to center on two strangers and the unlikely way that their paths align. Lily Rabe, Jodie Turner-Smith, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and Hamish Linklater also star.
Imperative Entertainment and 30West, the latter of which financed the movie, are behind the movie. Producers on the project are Dan Friedkin, Bradley Thomas and Ryan Friedkin of Imperative Entertainment, in addition to Reiss and Youree Henley. Kogonada, Ilene Feldman and Original Films’ Ori Eisen serve as executive producers.
The film opens a week after Marvel Studios’ The Thunderbolts*, which bows May...
Robbie and Colin Farrell co-star in the movie that will hit theaters on May 9, 2025 over Mother’s Day weekend.
Kogonada (After Yang, Pachinko) directs the film from a script by Seth Reiss. At the time the project was announced, the plot details were scarce, but the movie is said to center on two strangers and the unlikely way that their paths align. Lily Rabe, Jodie Turner-Smith, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and Hamish Linklater also star.
Imperative Entertainment and 30West, the latter of which financed the movie, are behind the movie. Producers on the project are Dan Friedkin, Bradley Thomas and Ryan Friedkin of Imperative Entertainment, in addition to Reiss and Youree Henley. Kogonada, Ilene Feldman and Original Films’ Ori Eisen serve as executive producers.
The film opens a week after Marvel Studios’ The Thunderbolts*, which bows May...
- 8/15/2024
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Barbie” star Margot Robbie’s next movie, “A Big Bold Beautiful Journey,” will land on the big screen in 2025.
Its distributor Sony Pictures added the film to the release calendar on May 9, over Mother’s Day weekend. The studio billed “A Big Bold Beautiful Journey” as its “next female event movie” following the Blake Lively-led book-to-screen adaptation “It Ends With Us,” which has grossed $63 million domestically and $93 million globally after six days of release.
“A Big Bold Beautiful Journey” co-stars Colin Farrell and is described as “an imaginative tale of two strangers and the extraordinary emotional journey that connects them.” Lily Rabe, Jodie Turner-Smith, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Hamish Linklater also star in the romantic fantasy. Kogonada directed the film from a script by “The Menu” screenwriter Seth Reiss.
30West is financing “A Big Bold Beautiful Journey.” Imperative Entertainment’s Dan Friedkin, Bradley Thomas and Ryan Friedkin will produce the...
Its distributor Sony Pictures added the film to the release calendar on May 9, over Mother’s Day weekend. The studio billed “A Big Bold Beautiful Journey” as its “next female event movie” following the Blake Lively-led book-to-screen adaptation “It Ends With Us,” which has grossed $63 million domestically and $93 million globally after six days of release.
“A Big Bold Beautiful Journey” co-stars Colin Farrell and is described as “an imaginative tale of two strangers and the extraordinary emotional journey that connects them.” Lily Rabe, Jodie Turner-Smith, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Hamish Linklater also star in the romantic fantasy. Kogonada directed the film from a script by “The Menu” screenwriter Seth Reiss.
30West is financing “A Big Bold Beautiful Journey.” Imperative Entertainment’s Dan Friedkin, Bradley Thomas and Ryan Friedkin will produce the...
- 8/15/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
On the heels of their surprise box office smash “It Ends With Us,” Sony Pictures is dating its next female event movie with Margot Robbie’s “A Big Bold Beautiful Journey,” co-starring Colin Farrell, set to open on May 9, 2025. Yes, that is Mother’s Day weekend.
The film, which features Robbie’s first post-“Barbie” role, hails from Imperative Entertainment and 30West. It is described as an original tale of two strangers and the extraordinary emotional journey that connects them. The film also stars Lily Rabe, Jodie Turner-Smith, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Hamish Linklater.
“A Big Bold Beautiful Journey” was directed by Kogonada, who recently teamed with Farrell on “After Yang.” It was written by Seth Reiss. Dan Friedkin, Bradley Thomas, Ryan Friedkin, Seth Reiss and Youree Henley serve as producers, while the executive producers are Kogonada, Ilene Feldman and Ori Eisen.
30West is financing the film, with Sony Pictures releasing the film in theaters globally.
The film, which features Robbie’s first post-“Barbie” role, hails from Imperative Entertainment and 30West. It is described as an original tale of two strangers and the extraordinary emotional journey that connects them. The film also stars Lily Rabe, Jodie Turner-Smith, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Hamish Linklater.
“A Big Bold Beautiful Journey” was directed by Kogonada, who recently teamed with Farrell on “After Yang.” It was written by Seth Reiss. Dan Friedkin, Bradley Thomas, Ryan Friedkin, Seth Reiss and Youree Henley serve as producers, while the executive producers are Kogonada, Ilene Feldman and Ori Eisen.
30West is financing the film, with Sony Pictures releasing the film in theaters globally.
- 8/15/2024
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
On the heels of its box office triumph, It Ends With Us, Sony Pictures has dated their next female event movie with Oscar Margot Robbie in her post-Barbie splash, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, on May 9, 2025.
Also starring Colin Farrell, the pic comes from Imperative Entertainment and 30West and is billed as an original tale of two strangers and the extraordinary emotional journey that connects them.
A Big Bold Beautiful Journey is from acclaimed filmmaker Kogonada and was written by Seth Reiss. Movie is produced by Dan Friedkin, Bradley Thomas, Ryan Friedkin, Seth Reiss and Youree Henley. EPs are Kogonada, Ilene Feldman and Ori Eisen.
Related: The Movies That Have Made More Than $1 Billion At The Box Office: Photo Gallery
Lily Rabe, Jodie Turner-Smith, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Hamish Linklater also star.
Robbie’s Barbie is the highest grossing movie in Warner Bros. history at $1.44 billion.
Related: ‘It Ends With...
Also starring Colin Farrell, the pic comes from Imperative Entertainment and 30West and is billed as an original tale of two strangers and the extraordinary emotional journey that connects them.
A Big Bold Beautiful Journey is from acclaimed filmmaker Kogonada and was written by Seth Reiss. Movie is produced by Dan Friedkin, Bradley Thomas, Ryan Friedkin, Seth Reiss and Youree Henley. EPs are Kogonada, Ilene Feldman and Ori Eisen.
Related: The Movies That Have Made More Than $1 Billion At The Box Office: Photo Gallery
Lily Rabe, Jodie Turner-Smith, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Hamish Linklater also star.
Robbie’s Barbie is the highest grossing movie in Warner Bros. history at $1.44 billion.
Related: ‘It Ends With...
- 8/15/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
This week's season finale of The Acolyte left us with quite a bit to mull over while we await a season 2 announcement, and while several plotlines and character arcs were left open to continue, "shippers" now seem satisfied that there is a romantic connection between Qimir, aka The Stranger, and Osha after that final shot.
After the Stranger witnesses Osha kill Master Sol using a Force-choke, the pair return to the island (which will likely be revealed as Bal'demnic) where he brought her after the Jedi massacre in episode 5.
Osha looks out over the ocean, and Qimir approaches his new apprentice, resting his hand on her's as she grips her (formerly Sol's) lightsaber.
This definitely seems to be hinting at more than just a teacher/pupil dynamic, and showrunner Leslye Headland has previously revealed that a kiss between the two was considered. Now, actor Manny Jacinto gives his take during an interview with EW,...
After the Stranger witnesses Osha kill Master Sol using a Force-choke, the pair return to the island (which will likely be revealed as Bal'demnic) where he brought her after the Jedi massacre in episode 5.
Osha looks out over the ocean, and Qimir approaches his new apprentice, resting his hand on her's as she grips her (formerly Sol's) lightsaber.
This definitely seems to be hinting at more than just a teacher/pupil dynamic, and showrunner Leslye Headland has previously revealed that a kiss between the two was considered. Now, actor Manny Jacinto gives his take during an interview with EW,...
- 7/20/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
The first season (assuming there will be a second) of The Acolyte concluded earlier this week with an exciting finale which featured the long-awaited debut of a character first mentioned in the Star Wars prequels, and a cameo from a certain fan-favorite Jedi Master.
Spoilers follow.
There's been speculation that Qimir's master might turn out to be Darth Plagueis - the powerful Sith Senator Palpatine told Anakin Skywalker about in Revenge of the Sith - and the brief glimpse of a hooded alien with glowing eyes as "The Stranger" departed with Osha would appear to confirm as much.
Though we weren't certain that this was definitely Plagueis at the time, the sinister figure did appear to be part of the Muun species, and showrunner Leslye Headland has since confirmed that this was no misdirect: Darth Plagueis is now officially part of the new Star Wars canon.
This wasn't the only big reveal,...
Spoilers follow.
There's been speculation that Qimir's master might turn out to be Darth Plagueis - the powerful Sith Senator Palpatine told Anakin Skywalker about in Revenge of the Sith - and the brief glimpse of a hooded alien with glowing eyes as "The Stranger" departed with Osha would appear to confirm as much.
Though we weren't certain that this was definitely Plagueis at the time, the sinister figure did appear to be part of the Muun species, and showrunner Leslye Headland has since confirmed that this was no misdirect: Darth Plagueis is now officially part of the new Star Wars canon.
This wasn't the only big reveal,...
- 7/19/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
In what will almost certainly go down as the best episode of The Acolyte (depending on how tonight's season finale goes), two popular supporting characters were killed off in shocking fashion - but that doesn't mean we won't see them again at some point.
If you're not up-to-date with the show yet, major spoilers follow.
Despite Jecki Lon (Dafne Keen) and Yord Fandar (Charlie Barnett) meeting an untimely end at the hands of The Stranger (Manny Jacinto) in "Night," showrunner Leslye Headland believes there's a good chance both Jedi could return to the Galaxy Far, Far Away.
"Yeah, definitely," Headland told Jedi News at a roundtable (via Total Film) when asked if Jecki and Yord's stories could be revisited down the line. "Pablo Hidalgo and I have talked about that, and since wrapping up the season, there's definitely some stuff that I would love to see come to fruition."
"Obviously,...
If you're not up-to-date with the show yet, major spoilers follow.
Despite Jecki Lon (Dafne Keen) and Yord Fandar (Charlie Barnett) meeting an untimely end at the hands of The Stranger (Manny Jacinto) in "Night," showrunner Leslye Headland believes there's a good chance both Jedi could return to the Galaxy Far, Far Away.
"Yeah, definitely," Headland told Jedi News at a roundtable (via Total Film) when asked if Jecki and Yord's stories could be revisited down the line. "Pablo Hidalgo and I have talked about that, and since wrapping up the season, there's definitely some stuff that I would love to see come to fruition."
"Obviously,...
- 7/16/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
British star Jodie Turner-Smith has become the latest to join Showtime’s The Agency series.
The Queen & Slim and Acolyte star will play Sami Zahir, a professor of social anthropology who has a history with Martian, played by Michael Fassbender. The splashy cast, which also includes Jeffrey Wright and Richard Gere with George Clooney exec producing, has been teased slowly over the past couple of weeks.
Based on French series Le Bureau, the Paramount+ with Showtime thriller follows Martian, a covert CIA agent ordered to abandon his undercover life and return to London Station. When the love he left behind reappears, romance reignites. His career, his real identity and his mission are pitted against his heart.
“Jodie Turner-Smith is a force who captivates audiences with her raw, emotional power,” said Nina L. Diaz, President of Content and Chief Creative Officer, Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios & Paramount Media Networks. “We are thrilled...
The Queen & Slim and Acolyte star will play Sami Zahir, a professor of social anthropology who has a history with Martian, played by Michael Fassbender. The splashy cast, which also includes Jeffrey Wright and Richard Gere with George Clooney exec producing, has been teased slowly over the past couple of weeks.
Based on French series Le Bureau, the Paramount+ with Showtime thriller follows Martian, a covert CIA agent ordered to abandon his undercover life and return to London Station. When the love he left behind reappears, romance reignites. His career, his real identity and his mission are pitted against his heart.
“Jodie Turner-Smith is a force who captivates audiences with her raw, emotional power,” said Nina L. Diaz, President of Content and Chief Creative Officer, Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios & Paramount Media Networks. “We are thrilled...
- 7/15/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
This week's penultimate episode of The Acolyte, "Choice," brought us back to the tragic events of Mae and Osha's past to reveal what really happened on Brendock all those years ago.
As we all suspected, the Jedi - Sol, in particular - played a much bigger role in the destruction of the coven and the death of Mother Aniseya than either of the twins realizes. We also learned some interesting new details about Mae and Osha, and how they came into existence.
It's suggested that the sisters aren't actually twins at all, and were "created" by the coven via a Force vergence on the planet and are essentially two halves of the same being. Details were left intentionally vague, but showrunner Leslye Headland has now confirmed that we will find out more in next week's season finale.
"Tune in next week. Tune in next week," she tells Nerdist. "We...
As we all suspected, the Jedi - Sol, in particular - played a much bigger role in the destruction of the coven and the death of Mother Aniseya than either of the twins realizes. We also learned some interesting new details about Mae and Osha, and how they came into existence.
It's suggested that the sisters aren't actually twins at all, and were "created" by the coven via a Force vergence on the planet and are essentially two halves of the same being. Details were left intentionally vague, but showrunner Leslye Headland has now confirmed that we will find out more in next week's season finale.
"Tune in next week. Tune in next week," she tells Nerdist. "We...
- 7/12/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
Exclusive: Before her directorial debut Blink Twice bows next month, Zoë Kravitz looks to be making plans for her next acting job as she is in talks to join Austin Butler in Darren Aronofsky’s crime thriller Caught Stealing for Sony Pictures. Aronofsky will direct direct the pic, which is based on the book by Charlie Huston. The script will be written by Huston, with Protozoa producing.
The film follows Hank Thompson, a burned-out former baseball player, as he’s unwittingly plunged into a wild fight for survival in the downtown criminal underworld of ‘90s New York City. It is unknown who Kravitz will play.
On the acting side, Kravitz is coming off as playing Selina Kyle aka Catwoman opposite Robert Pattinson in The Batman. She has since been working on her Blink Twice, which she also wrote and produced and is gaining buzz following the release of its first trailer.
The film follows Hank Thompson, a burned-out former baseball player, as he’s unwittingly plunged into a wild fight for survival in the downtown criminal underworld of ‘90s New York City. It is unknown who Kravitz will play.
On the acting side, Kravitz is coming off as playing Selina Kyle aka Catwoman opposite Robert Pattinson in The Batman. She has since been working on her Blink Twice, which she also wrote and produced and is gaining buzz following the release of its first trailer.
- 7/10/2024
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
In the penultimate episode of The Acolyte, we finally learn what really happened on Brendok all those years ago.
Spoiler warning! These reviews will be spoiler-free for the week in question, but will discuss previous episodes in detail.
The entirety of The Acolyte has hinged on one big secret; what exactly happened on Brendok 16 years ago?
We got half the story in episode 3 which showed up the coven of space witches, known as the Night Sisters. This is Mae and Osha’s family, and we also found out Mae wanted to prevent Osha from leaving with the Jedi and thus started a devastating fire.
Episode 7, which is directed by South Korean filmmaker Kogonada, as was episode 3, gives us the full picture. We won’t spoil the nuances of that reveal but let’s just say, we don’t learn anything particularly new – or at least, nothing we didn’t already expect.
Spoiler warning! These reviews will be spoiler-free for the week in question, but will discuss previous episodes in detail.
The entirety of The Acolyte has hinged on one big secret; what exactly happened on Brendok 16 years ago?
We got half the story in episode 3 which showed up the coven of space witches, known as the Night Sisters. This is Mae and Osha’s family, and we also found out Mae wanted to prevent Osha from leaving with the Jedi and thus started a devastating fire.
Episode 7, which is directed by South Korean filmmaker Kogonada, as was episode 3, gives us the full picture. We won’t spoil the nuances of that reveal but let’s just say, we don’t learn anything particularly new – or at least, nothing we didn’t already expect.
- 7/10/2024
- by Maria Lattila
- Film Stories
Over the past few years, the practice of "review-bombing" has increased among certain fanbases, with review aggregators such as Rotten Tomatoes inundated with negative reactions in at attempt to lower the movie or show's displayed public score.
The Merriam-Webster definition reads: "The flooding of a website with usually negative reviews (as of product or business) While not always the case, review bombing often seems targeted at projects that champion minorities, be it women, people of colour or the Lgbtqia community."
Now, while it's obviously true that not everyone is going to like the project in question and some will simply be registering their disapproval, you can usually tell when something has been review-bombed if a significant amount of verdicts are added before it's even been released, or if it's been generally well-received by critics and/or the average viewer.
Star Wars has been hit particularly hard of late, but The...
The Merriam-Webster definition reads: "The flooding of a website with usually negative reviews (as of product or business) While not always the case, review bombing often seems targeted at projects that champion minorities, be it women, people of colour or the Lgbtqia community."
Now, while it's obviously true that not everyone is going to like the project in question and some will simply be registering their disapproval, you can usually tell when something has been review-bombed if a significant amount of verdicts are added before it's even been released, or if it's been generally well-received by critics and/or the average viewer.
Star Wars has been hit particularly hard of late, but The...
- 7/5/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
This week's sixth episode of The Acolyte was a little more subdued than last Tuesday's action-packed bloodbath, but it did reveal some new details about the mysterious Sith(?) villain known only as The Stranger.
Major spoilers follow.
In addition to confirming that he used to be a Jedi, the Dark-side warrior shows a much calmer, almost vulnerable side in "Teach/Corrupt," and while he does seem to be manipulating Osha in an attempt to make her his new pupil, there might also be a genuine connection between them.
A romantic connection?
Some fans have already "shipped" the characters, and during an interview with Collider, showrunner Leslye Headland did suggest that their dynamic could head in that direction - but that may not necessarily be a good thing for Osha.
"It's so clear what's going on. So anybody that's picking up on it, congrats, awesome. But again, the dynamics had to...
Major spoilers follow.
In addition to confirming that he used to be a Jedi, the Dark-side warrior shows a much calmer, almost vulnerable side in "Teach/Corrupt," and while he does seem to be manipulating Osha in an attempt to make her his new pupil, there might also be a genuine connection between them.
A romantic connection?
Some fans have already "shipped" the characters, and during an interview with Collider, showrunner Leslye Headland did suggest that their dynamic could head in that direction - but that may not necessarily be a good thing for Osha.
"It's so clear what's going on. So anybody that's picking up on it, congrats, awesome. But again, the dynamics had to...
- 7/4/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
This week's fifth episode of The Acolyte, "Night," proved to be a major shocker - and not for the reason we expected.
Although the mysterious "Master" was unmasked, the reveal that it was Qimir (Manny Jacinto) pulling Mae's (Amanlda Stenberg) strings all along didn't really come as much of a surprise for anyone that has been paying attention. However, the fact that he proceeded to murder both Jecki Lon (Dafne Keen) and Yord Fandor (Charlie Barnett) in quick succession was a development nobody saw coming.
"Night" also saw estranged sisters Mae and Osha (Stenberg) face-off for the first time since they were kids, and despite the former attempting to make things right and reunite with her twin, Osha wanted no part of it. After being rejected, Mae knocked Osha out with a Force-blast before cutting her hair and switching places with her sister.
Then, we see the Master return...
Although the mysterious "Master" was unmasked, the reveal that it was Qimir (Manny Jacinto) pulling Mae's (Amanlda Stenberg) strings all along didn't really come as much of a surprise for anyone that has been paying attention. However, the fact that he proceeded to murder both Jecki Lon (Dafne Keen) and Yord Fandor (Charlie Barnett) in quick succession was a development nobody saw coming.
"Night" also saw estranged sisters Mae and Osha (Stenberg) face-off for the first time since they were kids, and despite the former attempting to make things right and reunite with her twin, Osha wanted no part of it. After being rejected, Mae knocked Osha out with a Force-blast before cutting her hair and switching places with her sister.
Then, we see the Master return...
- 6/29/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
Episode 5 of The Acolyte is now streaming on Disney+, and even if you saw the Master twist coming, "Night" still featured its share of shocking moments.
We had a pretty good idea that the mysterious "Master" would be unveiled during this week's episode and who would be under the mask, but we didn't expect him to deal out quite so much death and destruction.
After taking out a couple of red shirts, the powerful Dark-side warrior - now revealed to be the man who went by the name Qimir (Manny Jacinto) - murders both Jecki Lon (Dafne Keen) and Yord Fandor (Charlie Barnett) in quick succession.
During an interview with EW, Barnett was asked how he felt about his character's shocking demise and what it was like filming his death scene.
"Let’s just put it out there: Manny, beyond being an extremely handsome gentleman, is one of the kindest people ever.
We had a pretty good idea that the mysterious "Master" would be unveiled during this week's episode and who would be under the mask, but we didn't expect him to deal out quite so much death and destruction.
After taking out a couple of red shirts, the powerful Dark-side warrior - now revealed to be the man who went by the name Qimir (Manny Jacinto) - murders both Jecki Lon (Dafne Keen) and Yord Fandor (Charlie Barnett) in quick succession.
During an interview with EW, Barnett was asked how he felt about his character's shocking demise and what it was like filming his death scene.
"Let’s just put it out there: Manny, beyond being an extremely handsome gentleman, is one of the kindest people ever.
- 6/27/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
Disney+ has released a teaser for tonight's fifth episode of The Acolyte, and it looks like we might be in for more flashbacks.
Last week's episode concluded with the mysterious "Master" making his (or her?) presence felt by attacking the group of Jedi who had come to Khofar in an attempt to stop Mae from carrying out her assassination of Kelnacca.
Unbeknownst to our heroes, Mae had already decided to surrender to the Wookiee Jedi once she found out her twin sister, Osha, was still alive, but arrived to find that her Dark-side boss had already done the deed. The Master then floated into view behind Osha and the others, before unleashing a powerful Force-blast.
It looks like this episode will pick up immediately after that cliffhanger, but it seems we are also going to get more flashbacks, as we see Kelnacca attack what appears to be another Jedi with his lightsaber.
Last week's episode concluded with the mysterious "Master" making his (or her?) presence felt by attacking the group of Jedi who had come to Khofar in an attempt to stop Mae from carrying out her assassination of Kelnacca.
Unbeknownst to our heroes, Mae had already decided to surrender to the Wookiee Jedi once she found out her twin sister, Osha, was still alive, but arrived to find that her Dark-side boss had already done the deed. The Master then floated into view behind Osha and the others, before unleashing a powerful Force-blast.
It looks like this episode will pick up immediately after that cliffhanger, but it seems we are also going to get more flashbacks, as we see Kelnacca attack what appears to be another Jedi with his lightsaber.
- 6/25/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
Jessica Alba, Lily Gladstone, Greta Lee, Catherine O’Hara, and S.S. Rajamouli, director of “Rrr,” are among the 487 artists and executives invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. With all expected acceptances, AMPAS membership will rise to 10,910 from 10,817 last year, with 9,934 members eligible to vote in the upcoming 97th Oscars in 2025—an increase from last year’s 9,375.
This year’s invitees include 44% women, a 4% increase from 2023, and 41% from underrepresented ethnic and racial communities, marking a significant 7% rise. The actors, casting directors, costume designers, documentary, executives, makeup artists and hairstylists branches have invited more women than men. The actors, directors, documentary, and writers branches mainly comprised artists from underrepresented communities.
The directors branch features the most impressive array of filmmakers from both international and domestic spheres, such as Lila Avilés (“Totem”), Jayro Bustamante (“La Llorona”), Jd Dillard (“Devotion”), Alice Diop (“Saint Omer”), Boots Riley (“Sorry to Bother You...
This year’s invitees include 44% women, a 4% increase from 2023, and 41% from underrepresented ethnic and racial communities, marking a significant 7% rise. The actors, casting directors, costume designers, documentary, executives, makeup artists and hairstylists branches have invited more women than men. The actors, directors, documentary, and writers branches mainly comprised artists from underrepresented communities.
The directors branch features the most impressive array of filmmakers from both international and domestic spheres, such as Lila Avilés (“Totem”), Jayro Bustamante (“La Llorona”), Jd Dillard (“Devotion”), Alice Diop (“Saint Omer”), Boots Riley (“Sorry to Bother You...
- 6/25/2024
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Four hundred and eighty-seven members of the global film community — among them Killers of the Flower Moon star Lily Gladstone, Past Lives filmmaker Celine Song, CAA managing partner Chris Silbermann, and SAG-AFTRA national executive director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland — are receiving invitations on Tuesday to become members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the organization announced this morning.
“We are thrilled to welcome this year’s class of new members,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and president Janet Yang said in a joint statement. “These remarkably talented artists and professionals from around the world have made a significant impact on our filmmaking community.”
Invitees who wish to accept, as the vast majority tend to, will join the specific branch of the Academy that invited them. Eight were invited by more than one branch — Michael Andrews (film editors and short films/feature animation), Bahram Beyzaêi (directors and writers...
“We are thrilled to welcome this year’s class of new members,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and president Janet Yang said in a joint statement. “These remarkably talented artists and professionals from around the world have made a significant impact on our filmmaking community.”
Invitees who wish to accept, as the vast majority tend to, will join the specific branch of the Academy that invited them. Eight were invited by more than one branch — Michael Andrews (film editors and short films/feature animation), Bahram Beyzaêi (directors and writers...
- 6/25/2024
- by Scott Feinberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Now that the fourth episode of The Acolyte is streaming on Disney+, Lucasfilm has released a second batch of character posters, this time spotlighting Mae's twin Osha (Amandla Stenberg) and a group of highly enigmatic supporting players.
Each banner is accompanied by a profile of each character, and while they make for interesting reading, you won't find any hints about the true identity of the mysterious "Master." Even so, there's a very good chance one of these individuals will ultimately be unmasked as the Dark-side warrior who made his presence felt in the closing moment of this week's episode.
Right now, the most popular theory points to Manny Jacinto's former smuggler Qimir, who appears to know a bit too much about Mae's mission and the Master's orders. This would seem a little too obvious, however, and could turn out to be a red herring.
Check out the new posters at the links below,...
Each banner is accompanied by a profile of each character, and while they make for interesting reading, you won't find any hints about the true identity of the mysterious "Master." Even so, there's a very good chance one of these individuals will ultimately be unmasked as the Dark-side warrior who made his presence felt in the closing moment of this week's episode.
Right now, the most popular theory points to Manny Jacinto's former smuggler Qimir, who appears to know a bit too much about Mae's mission and the Master's orders. This would seem a little too obvious, however, and could turn out to be a red herring.
Check out the new posters at the links below,...
- 6/21/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
There have always been toxic elements to every fandom, but over the past few years, we have seen an increase in targetted online abuse, with many "fans" taking their criticism way too far by spewing bile at the people involved with the movies and TV shows they claim to love.
Star Wars has been hit particularly hard, with the perception that Disney is pushing a "woke agenda" by shifting focus to Black, female, and LGBTQ+ characters in their projects leading to some shockingly hateful backlash.
As a gay Black woman, The Acolyte star Amandla Stenberg has found herself in the firing line since before the show even aired, but the harassment escalated when an out-of-context clip of the actress saying "white people crying was the goal" on a 2018 talk show did the rounds last week.
Now, Stenberg has released a new music video in response.
"Happy Juneteenth...
Star Wars has been hit particularly hard, with the perception that Disney is pushing a "woke agenda" by shifting focus to Black, female, and LGBTQ+ characters in their projects leading to some shockingly hateful backlash.
As a gay Black woman, The Acolyte star Amandla Stenberg has found herself in the firing line since before the show even aired, but the harassment escalated when an out-of-context clip of the actress saying "white people crying was the goal" on a 2018 talk show did the rounds last week.
Now, Stenberg has released a new music video in response.
"Happy Juneteenth...
- 6/20/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
One of the more exciting aspects of The Acolyte for many Star Wars fans was the news that the Disney+ series would introduce a Wookiee Jedi in the form of Master Kelnacca, played by Chewbacca actor Joonas Suotamo (who stepped in to replace Peter Mayhew for the sequel trilogy).
Though the character only made a couple of brief appearances in the first three episodes, the closing moments of last week's instalment indicated that we'd be spending a little more time with the solitary Jedi in self-imposed exile on the jungle planet of Khofar.
As it turns out, Kelnacca's only real function in episode 4 was to die... off-screen!
Though he may still feature in flashbacks, a lot of fans viewed this as a disappointing exit for the character, and it sounds like Suotamo may feel the same.
The actor was asked if showrunner Leslye Headland told him his character would be...
Though the character only made a couple of brief appearances in the first three episodes, the closing moments of last week's instalment indicated that we'd be spending a little more time with the solitary Jedi in self-imposed exile on the jungle planet of Khofar.
As it turns out, Kelnacca's only real function in episode 4 was to die... off-screen!
Though he may still feature in flashbacks, a lot of fans viewed this as a disappointing exit for the character, and it sounds like Suotamo may feel the same.
The actor was asked if showrunner Leslye Headland told him his character would be...
- 6/19/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
You may have seen this little fella in Funko Pop form already, but thanks to some new promo stills for tonight's fourth episode of The Acolyte, we have a first official look at Bazil, the Tynnan tracker who will help our heroes on a very important mission.
We're not going to go into too much detail about the episode, but if you'd rather know as little as possible before watching, here's your spoiler warning.
In an attempt to reach Mae's next target before she does, Master Sol, Osha and the others travel to the planet of Khofar, where they enlist Bazil to find Wookiee Jedi Master Kelnacca's home deep in the jungle. Unfortunately, Mae has already arrived, and she's not alone.
Tynnans were actually introduced in the 1979 novel Han Solo’s Revenge by Brian Daley, but creature & droid FX creative supervisor Neal Scanlan and his team incorporated elements of...
We're not going to go into too much detail about the episode, but if you'd rather know as little as possible before watching, here's your spoiler warning.
In an attempt to reach Mae's next target before she does, Master Sol, Osha and the others travel to the planet of Khofar, where they enlist Bazil to find Wookiee Jedi Master Kelnacca's home deep in the jungle. Unfortunately, Mae has already arrived, and she's not alone.
Tynnans were actually introduced in the 1979 novel Han Solo’s Revenge by Brian Daley, but creature & droid FX creative supervisor Neal Scanlan and his team incorporated elements of...
- 6/18/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
A little over five minutes into the third episode of Disney+’s “The Acolyte,” Jodi Turner-Smith’s Mother Aniseya makes a gesture of love. She meets with her fellow witch Mother Koril (Margarita Levieva) and gently touches her chin and strokes her cheek. It’s a beautiful moment of intimacy that in any other television show would be regarded as such, but given this was a “Star Wars” it’s a moment that immediately seems radical. Not only is “The Acolyte” introducing space witches, it is introducing space witches that are also very likely gay.
The installment titled “Destiny,” directed by filmmaker Kogonada of “After Yang” and “Columbus,” intentionally leaves a lot mysterious about the coven. But even so it offers up a rich portrait of a world with some of the most gorgeous “Star Wars” imagery in recent memory—not just because of the physical representation of the coven,...
The installment titled “Destiny,” directed by filmmaker Kogonada of “After Yang” and “Columbus,” intentionally leaves a lot mysterious about the coven. But even so it offers up a rich portrait of a world with some of the most gorgeous “Star Wars” imagery in recent memory—not just because of the physical representation of the coven,...
- 6/17/2024
- by Esther Zuckerman
- Indiewire
The third episode of The Acolyte is now streaming on Disney+, and it takes us back 16 years into the past to reveal what led to Force-sensitive sisters Osha and Mae falling out, and why the former believed the latter to be dead.
Spoilers ahead.
In "Destiny," we learn that the twins lived as part of a coven of Force-sensitive witches on the planet Brendok. A group of Jedi interrupt an ascension ceremony for the sisters being led by one of their mothers, Aniseya, in an attempt to recruit the children to the Jedi order.
Osha wants to be a Jedi, but Mae implores her sibling to stay with their coven, causing a rift that ultimately leads to the latter setting a fire which (seemingly) results in the deaths of everyone in the coven.
There's definitely more to this story (let's just say there's a reason Mae wants a certain group...
Spoilers ahead.
In "Destiny," we learn that the twins lived as part of a coven of Force-sensitive witches on the planet Brendok. A group of Jedi interrupt an ascension ceremony for the sisters being led by one of their mothers, Aniseya, in an attempt to recruit the children to the Jedi order.
Osha wants to be a Jedi, but Mae implores her sibling to stay with their coven, causing a rift that ultimately leads to the latter setting a fire which (seemingly) results in the deaths of everyone in the coven.
There's definitely more to this story (let's just say there's a reason Mae wants a certain group...
- 6/14/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
[This story contains spoilers for Star Wars: The Acolyte‘s third episode, “Destiny.”]
As soon as Star Wars: The Acolyte stars Jodie Turner-Smith and Rebecca Henderson stepped foot onto their South East England-based set, they immediately fell under the spell of a galaxy far, far away. Turner-Smith first visited the stage on a day where she wasn’t working, simply because she couldn’t pass up the chance to witness a particularly fateful duel.
“I actually went to visit set during the scene where Amandla Stenberg’s character fights Carrie-Anne Moss’ character, and I really was just like, ‘Oh my God, this is Star Wars,’” Turner-Smith tells The Hollywood Reporter. “That was definitely my first ‘whoa,’ and I wasn’t even in costume yet.”
Despite being new to Star Wars, Turner-Smith found herself in familiar territory, as her frequent collaborator, Kogonada, directed her in the third and seventh episodes of the Leslye Headland-created mystery-thriller series.
As soon as Star Wars: The Acolyte stars Jodie Turner-Smith and Rebecca Henderson stepped foot onto their South East England-based set, they immediately fell under the spell of a galaxy far, far away. Turner-Smith first visited the stage on a day where she wasn’t working, simply because she couldn’t pass up the chance to witness a particularly fateful duel.
“I actually went to visit set during the scene where Amandla Stenberg’s character fights Carrie-Anne Moss’ character, and I really was just like, ‘Oh my God, this is Star Wars,’” Turner-Smith tells The Hollywood Reporter. “That was definitely my first ‘whoa,’ and I wasn’t even in costume yet.”
Despite being new to Star Wars, Turner-Smith found herself in familiar territory, as her frequent collaborator, Kogonada, directed her in the third and seventh episodes of the Leslye Headland-created mystery-thriller series.
- 6/13/2024
- by Brian Davids
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Star Wars: The Acolyte episode 3 delves into Mae and Osha’s complicated past, giving us the foundations of their conflict. Here’s our review.
Before we dive into The Acolyte episode 3, just a disclaimer that these reviews will include mild spoilers for the episode in question but will discuss previous episodes with heavy spoilers. So if you haven’t seen The Acolyte episodes 1 and 2, you might want to watch those before reading what we have to say about episode 3.
Still here? Excellent. On with the show!
The Acolyte got off to a wobbly start last week with two episodes. The new Star Wars series was sold as a darker, more violent entry into the franchise and one that would feature more Siths than we’ve seen before. The first two episodes gave us no indication of that and, in all honesty, episode 3 doesn’t give us much hope that The...
Before we dive into The Acolyte episode 3, just a disclaimer that these reviews will include mild spoilers for the episode in question but will discuss previous episodes with heavy spoilers. So if you haven’t seen The Acolyte episodes 1 and 2, you might want to watch those before reading what we have to say about episode 3.
Still here? Excellent. On with the show!
The Acolyte got off to a wobbly start last week with two episodes. The new Star Wars series was sold as a darker, more violent entry into the franchise and one that would feature more Siths than we’ve seen before. The first two episodes gave us no indication of that and, in all honesty, episode 3 doesn’t give us much hope that The...
- 6/12/2024
- by Maria Lattila
- Film Stories
Lucasfilm's latest Star Wars series, The Acolyte, debuted on Disney+ earlier this week with a two-episode premiere, and a lot of people have tuned in for the first live-action Galaxy Far, Far Away adventure set in the High Republic Era.
Despite the usual backlash, The Acolyte was a big hit with critics (it currently sits at a most impressive 93% on Rotten Tomatoes) and the positive reviews appear to have convinced more than just Star Wars aficionados to give this one a go.
According to Disney+, The Acolyte is the most-watched series premiere of 2024, logging 4.8 million views within its first day of streaming (views are defined as total stream time divided by runtime). Disney+ did not report same-day viewership for the previous Star Wars show, Ahsoka, but did announce that it had reached 14 million views within its first five days on the platform.
With these numbers, The Acolyte has surpassed...
Despite the usual backlash, The Acolyte was a big hit with critics (it currently sits at a most impressive 93% on Rotten Tomatoes) and the positive reviews appear to have convinced more than just Star Wars aficionados to give this one a go.
According to Disney+, The Acolyte is the most-watched series premiere of 2024, logging 4.8 million views within its first day of streaming (views are defined as total stream time divided by runtime). Disney+ did not report same-day viewership for the previous Star Wars show, Ahsoka, but did announce that it had reached 14 million views within its first five days on the platform.
With these numbers, The Acolyte has surpassed...
- 6/7/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
The Acolyte Showrunner Explains Why Mae Was Ordered To Kill A Jedi Without Using A Weapon - Spoilers
The second episode of Lucasfilm's latest live-action Star Wars series, The Acolyte, reveals some interesting new details about the dangerous mission Mae was given by the mysterious Dark-side warrior glimpsed in the closing moments of the series premiere.
If you haven't watched yet, here's your spoiler warning.
Shortly after Mae dispatches Master Indara in the first episode, we learn that several other Jedi are on her kill list, and it later comes to light that she has very specific instructions when it comes to her method of assassination.
In episode 2, Qimir reminds Mae that her Master has ordered her to kill at least one of the Jedi without the use of a weapon. It was generally assumed that this was simply down to passing a test of skill, but there's a lot more to it.
"We do go into it in future episodes, but I don't mind talking to...
If you haven't watched yet, here's your spoiler warning.
Shortly after Mae dispatches Master Indara in the first episode, we learn that several other Jedi are on her kill list, and it later comes to light that she has very specific instructions when it comes to her method of assassination.
In episode 2, Qimir reminds Mae that her Master has ordered her to kill at least one of the Jedi without the use of a weapon. It was generally assumed that this was simply down to passing a test of skill, but there's a lot more to it.
"We do go into it in future episodes, but I don't mind talking to...
- 6/7/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
The first two episodes of The Acolyte are now streaming on Disney+, and Lucasfilm's latest live-action Star Wars series wastes little time in subverting audience expectations when it comes to one particular character.
Major spoilers follow.
In the series premiere,"Lost/Found," we see mysterious warrior Mae (Amandla Stenberg) confront Jedi Master Indara (Carrie-Anne Moss) in a cantina and command her to attack "with everything she has." Initially dismissive, Indara soon finds herself staring into a familiar face from her past, and the battle is on.
Unable to get the better of the Jedi in a fair fight, Mae resorts to throwing one of her blades at the bartender, and when Indara uses the Force to stop the weapon before it strikes, the Dark-side assassin takes advantage of the distraction by flinging another knife into her opponent's chest.
Killing off the character many assumed was going to be one...
Major spoilers follow.
In the series premiere,"Lost/Found," we see mysterious warrior Mae (Amandla Stenberg) confront Jedi Master Indara (Carrie-Anne Moss) in a cantina and command her to attack "with everything she has." Initially dismissive, Indara soon finds herself staring into a familiar face from her past, and the battle is on.
Unable to get the better of the Jedi in a fair fight, Mae resorts to throwing one of her blades at the bartender, and when Indara uses the Force to stop the weapon before it strikes, the Dark-side assassin takes advantage of the distraction by flinging another knife into her opponent's chest.
Killing off the character many assumed was going to be one...
- 6/6/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
The first two episodes of The Acolyte are now streaming on Disney+, and the series premiere includes a couple of call-backs to the original Star Wars trilogy that can't have slipped past too many fans of the Galaxy Far, Far Away.
Though these aren't exactly massive reveals, if you haven't watched yet and would rather know as little as possible, here's your spoiler warning.
The first nod to classic Star Wars was probably to be expected in a show focusing on Jedi, as we hear Master Vanestra Rwoh (Rebecca Henderson) say “May the Force be with you” to Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae) as he departs on a mission. The second is also an oft-repeated Star Wars phrase, but some fans seem to think that it felt a little more... forced.
While waiting with a trap laid for Mae (Amandla Stenberg) on the planet Olega, Jedi Knight Yord Fandar (Charlie Barnett...
Though these aren't exactly massive reveals, if you haven't watched yet and would rather know as little as possible, here's your spoiler warning.
The first nod to classic Star Wars was probably to be expected in a show focusing on Jedi, as we hear Master Vanestra Rwoh (Rebecca Henderson) say “May the Force be with you” to Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae) as he departs on a mission. The second is also an oft-repeated Star Wars phrase, but some fans seem to think that it felt a little more... forced.
While waiting with a trap laid for Mae (Amandla Stenberg) on the planet Olega, Jedi Knight Yord Fandar (Charlie Barnett...
- 6/5/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
The Acolyte, Disney’s latest high-profile Star Wars show, is set well before the the Skywalker era. Here’s our review of the first two episodes.
Disney’s The Acolyte premiered its first two episodes with a lot of expectations on its shoulders. The recent Star Wars shows have been full of ups and downs; The Mandalorian has lost its groove, Obi-Wan Kenobi was disappointing nostalgia bait, but Andor was genuinely excellent.
The Acolyte has promised to be a darker, more violent take on the galaxy far, far away. But based on the first two episodes, showrunner Leslye Headland has so far served up more of the same as what came before.
We’ll do our best to give you a relatively spoiler-free description of the premise. A young Force-user is wreaking havoc in the galaxy, killing Jedi masters. Lee Jung-jae’s Sol investigates along with a former Padawan and,...
Disney’s The Acolyte premiered its first two episodes with a lot of expectations on its shoulders. The recent Star Wars shows have been full of ups and downs; The Mandalorian has lost its groove, Obi-Wan Kenobi was disappointing nostalgia bait, but Andor was genuinely excellent.
The Acolyte has promised to be a darker, more violent take on the galaxy far, far away. But based on the first two episodes, showrunner Leslye Headland has so far served up more of the same as what came before.
We’ll do our best to give you a relatively spoiler-free description of the premise. A young Force-user is wreaking havoc in the galaxy, killing Jedi masters. Lee Jung-jae’s Sol investigates along with a former Padawan and,...
- 6/5/2024
- by Maria Lattila
- Film Stories
The first two episodes of The Acolyte are now streaming on Disney+, and Lucasfilm's latest live-action Star Wars series certainly starts with a bang. You might even say it slays!
Major spoilers follow.
The premiere begins with mysterious masked warrior Mae (Amandla Stenberg) walking into a cantina and challenging Jedi Master Indara (Carrie -Anne Moss) to a duel. We've seen quite a bit of their ensuing battle in the various trailers and TV spots, but the outcome is sure to come as a shock to many viewers.
Unable to get the better of Indara in a fair fight, Mae resorts to throwing one of her blades at the bartender, and when her Jedi opponent uses the Force to stop the weapon before it strikes, the Dark-side assassin takes advantage of the distraction by flinging another knife into Indara's chest - killing her almost instantly.
During an interview with EW,...
Major spoilers follow.
The premiere begins with mysterious masked warrior Mae (Amandla Stenberg) walking into a cantina and challenging Jedi Master Indara (Carrie -Anne Moss) to a duel. We've seen quite a bit of their ensuing battle in the various trailers and TV spots, but the outcome is sure to come as a shock to many viewers.
Unable to get the better of Indara in a fair fight, Mae resorts to throwing one of her blades at the bartender, and when her Jedi opponent uses the Force to stop the weapon before it strikes, the Dark-side assassin takes advantage of the distraction by flinging another knife into Indara's chest - killing her almost instantly.
During an interview with EW,...
- 6/5/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
The best Star Wars projects in recent years are the ones that stray from the original story.
From “Rogue One” to “The Last Jedi” to the animated “Visions” and last year’s “Andor,” the franchise finds its footing by taking risks and focusing on original stories that just happen to be set in a galaxy far, far away. With the middling quality of so many other Star Wars offshoots since Disney+ launched in 2019, Leslye Headland’s “The Acolyte” finds company, mercifully, in the former category, with an intriguing crime thriller set further back than any other live-action entry.
“The Acolyte” takes place even longer ago in the galaxy’s history, during the High Republic Era that preceded even young Anakin Skywalker in “The Phantom Menace.” It’s a time of peace, as the opening text says, but like all peaceful pockets in Star Wars, that gets interrupted. A violent crime...
From “Rogue One” to “The Last Jedi” to the animated “Visions” and last year’s “Andor,” the franchise finds its footing by taking risks and focusing on original stories that just happen to be set in a galaxy far, far away. With the middling quality of so many other Star Wars offshoots since Disney+ launched in 2019, Leslye Headland’s “The Acolyte” finds company, mercifully, in the former category, with an intriguing crime thriller set further back than any other live-action entry.
“The Acolyte” takes place even longer ago in the galaxy’s history, during the High Republic Era that preceded even young Anakin Skywalker in “The Phantom Menace.” It’s a time of peace, as the opening text says, but like all peaceful pockets in Star Wars, that gets interrupted. A violent crime...
- 6/4/2024
- by Proma Khosla
- Indiewire
Being a Star Wars fan is very interesting. I grew up through the era of the prequel trilogy and thought it was the most boring thing ever. Then I watched the original trilogy, and I thought it was the greatest thing ever. And even though I wasn’t nostalgic about the originals or the prequels, I enjoyed the legacy sequel trilogy for the most part. The franchise had a solid fanbase on the small screen with its animated projects, which didn’t really interest me. That said, the first season of The Mandalorian did do the trick. After the mercurial success of that show, Star Wars totally shifted to the small screen, and they started churning out stuff that ranged from mediocre to abysmally bad. Andor was like a diamond in the rough. And although it seemed like nothing in the franchise could be as good as that, especially in terms of its storytelling,...
- 6/4/2024
- by Pramit Chatterjee
- DMT
It would certainly be unfair to say that all Star Wars stories have the same plot. Andor is not The Last Jedi and The Last Jedi is not The Phantom Menace, and each is more interesting for the new paths they cut across familiar territory. In broad strokes, though, a whole lot of them seem to come down to the same trusty formula: heroic Jedi freedom fighters versus dark-side imperialists, on and on across the galaxy for decades.
In that light, Disney+’s The Acolyte represents an intriguing shakeup. The spinoff, set roughly a century before the events of the films, finds the Jedi not as scrappy underdogs but as entrenched establishment. How precisely they’ve wielded that influence remains murky in the four 40ish-minute episodes sent to critics. But there are worse qualities for a new series to have than an overabundance of potential — and wherever this one ends up,...
In that light, Disney+’s The Acolyte represents an intriguing shakeup. The spinoff, set roughly a century before the events of the films, finds the Jedi not as scrappy underdogs but as entrenched establishment. How precisely they’ve wielded that influence remains murky in the four 40ish-minute episodes sent to critics. But there are worse qualities for a new series to have than an overabundance of potential — and wherever this one ends up,...
- 6/4/2024
- by Angie Han
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
One of 2022’s most critically acclaimed shows returns in late summer. After a two-year wait, “Pachinko” Season 2 premieres on Apple TV+ on August 23. Critics loved the show’s first season, making it easily one of the streamer’s most well-regarded shows. So how will Season 2 measure up?
Read More: The 70 Most Anticipated TV Shows & Mini-Series Of 2024
Based on Min Jin Lee‘s 2017 novel of the same name, “Pachinko” focuses on four generations of a Korean family after a young woman expatriates to Osaka, Japan to begin a new life there. The period-piece shifts between various stories set between 1915 and 1989. What’s more, Season 1 features the work of two premier South Korean filmmakers, who share directing duties on the series: Kogonada, who US audiences will recognize for “Columbus” and “After Yang,” and Justin Chon.
Continue reading ‘Pachinko’ Season 2 Announcement Trailer: Apple TV+’s Acclaimed Series Returns In August at The Playlist.
Read More: The 70 Most Anticipated TV Shows & Mini-Series Of 2024
Based on Min Jin Lee‘s 2017 novel of the same name, “Pachinko” focuses on four generations of a Korean family after a young woman expatriates to Osaka, Japan to begin a new life there. The period-piece shifts between various stories set between 1915 and 1989. What’s more, Season 1 features the work of two premier South Korean filmmakers, who share directing duties on the series: Kogonada, who US audiences will recognize for “Columbus” and “After Yang,” and Justin Chon.
Continue reading ‘Pachinko’ Season 2 Announcement Trailer: Apple TV+’s Acclaimed Series Returns In August at The Playlist.
- 5/31/2024
- by Ned Booth
- The Playlist
Every fandom has its share of toxic elements, but it's probably fair to say that Disney-era Star Wars has experienced more negativity and backlash from a certain contingent of fans than any other franchise over the past few years.
There was the expected amount of pushback to Daisy Ridley being announced as the lead of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but it really picked up when her character, Rey, was deemed to be a "Mary Sue." The toxicity arguably reached a crescendo when Kelly Marie-Tran's Rose Tico was introduced in The Last Jedi, but the general perception among some fans that Star Wars has become too pandering in its representation and inclusivity continues.
With The Acolyte - a new Disney+ series from showrunner Leslye Headland featuring a primarily female cast - on the horizon, Lucasfilm CEO Kathleen Kennedy acknowledged that coming aboard the franchise can be a "terrifying" experience for female filmmakers and actors.
There was the expected amount of pushback to Daisy Ridley being announced as the lead of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but it really picked up when her character, Rey, was deemed to be a "Mary Sue." The toxicity arguably reached a crescendo when Kelly Marie-Tran's Rose Tico was introduced in The Last Jedi, but the general perception among some fans that Star Wars has become too pandering in its representation and inclusivity continues.
With The Acolyte - a new Disney+ series from showrunner Leslye Headland featuring a primarily female cast - on the horizon, Lucasfilm CEO Kathleen Kennedy acknowledged that coming aboard the franchise can be a "terrifying" experience for female filmmakers and actors.
- 5/30/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
We're now just a few days away from the two-episode premiere of The Acolyte, and between the persistent rumors and the trailers possibly revealing a little too much, it seems Lucasfilm has given the cast the go-ahead to discuss a certain plot point relating to Amandla Stenberg's character.
If you'd rather go in knowing as little as possible, here's your spoiler warning.
Previous reports have claimed that Stenberg will actually play a dual role as twins, one of whom carries out the Jedi assassinations and frames the other for the murders.
During an interview with The Electric Playground, Stenberg confirmed that she is indeed playing twins named Mae and Osha, while also revealing some new details about both sisters.
"I play twins in the show. Their names are Osha and Mae and they kind of skew towards different sides of the force. Although that’s kind of up for...
If you'd rather go in knowing as little as possible, here's your spoiler warning.
Previous reports have claimed that Stenberg will actually play a dual role as twins, one of whom carries out the Jedi assassinations and frames the other for the murders.
During an interview with The Electric Playground, Stenberg confirmed that she is indeed playing twins named Mae and Osha, while also revealing some new details about both sisters.
"I play twins in the show. Their names are Osha and Mae and they kind of skew towards different sides of the force. Although that’s kind of up for...
- 5/30/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
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