Star Wars' New Sith Lord Manny Jacinto Addresses The Acolyte Backlash & Review-Bombing

Summary The intense backlash to Star Wars projects stems from a resistance to change and a struggle to let go of nostalgia.

Manny Jacinto perfectly addresses the cycle of criticism that newer Star Wars shows like The Acolyte face.

Understanding the underlying issue of nostalgia doesn't make the backlash right, but actors like Jacinto approach it with compassion.

Manny Jacinto, who portrayed Qimir/the Stranger in The Acolyte, perfectly addresses the intense backlash to the Star Wars show and recognizes the underlying reasons this continues to be a problem in the franchise. As much as Star Wars movies and TV shows are loved, with new projects always comes a new wave of vitriol. The Acolyte was certainly a victim of this pattern as well, with countless controversies and a considerable amount of review-bombing. However, many of Star Wars' best movies and Star Wars' best TV shows have received this same treatment.

Manny Jacinto had a perfect read on the situation, though, particularly as it pertains to The Acolyte. In an interview with GQ, Jacinto explained:

“It’s a cycle....With everything that’s come out since the original trilogy, there’s always a very passionate group that doesn’t like change, that wants that same feeling that they experienced when they were kids, only now they've grown up and their taste has matured and they're more critical about art or the world, and then they are just more precious about the things that they experienced when they were younger.”

Jacinto isn't the first to say it, but he is nevertheless correct; Star Wars has long been made for children, and viewers have struggled to let go of their nostalgia and accept that.

Related Despite All The Controversy, The Acolyte Hasn't Broken Star Wars Canon At All Audiences were concerned from the very beginning that The Acolyte would break Star Wars canon and retcon the prequels, but that didn't happen.

Manny Jacinto Is Right: Every Generation Struggles To Let Go Of Star Wars

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While there are a number of reasons Star Wars shows like The Acolyte might receive criticism or be disliked—some very valid and others stemming from ill-intentioned places—it's true that much of the backlash against newer Star Wars shows and movies stems from a problem with nostalgia. Star Wars has been incredibly meaningful for audiences from the very beginning, and it's easy to see why. Anyone familiar with the franchise knows it's about so much more than thrilling battles in space.

Anyone familiar with the franchise knows it's about so much more than thrilling battles in space.

Luke Skywalker, from his first appearance in A New Hope, represented being brave in the face of something insurmountable and offering grace to those who, on the surface, really don't seem to deserve it. Anakin Skywalker's story is about how even the most innocent people can be corrupted under the right circumstances. Even characters who have only appeared in Star Wars shows, such as Ahsoka Tano, have messages of resilience, compassion, hope, and courage.

These stories carry an incredible amount of weight, and they shape the people who watch them—especially children. It's understandable that, in light of that, viewers become sensitive about the stories and the characters they've grown to love. In fact, Manny Jacinto's very empathetic assessment of what is often cruel backlash perfectly captures the true underlying issue; it's simply difficult to let go of something that's been so personally meaningful.

Unfortunately, understanding the problem doesn't make it right, and it doesn't make it go away. Star Wars will continue to face an uphill battle in this regard, and it isn't clear what the solution is, if there could ever be one. Shows like The Acolyte may always face this kind of treatment in Star Wars, but it's wonderful to know that even while being the subject of the criticism, actors like Manny Jacinto can approach the issue with compassion.

Source: GQ

All episodes of The Acolyte are now streaming on Disney+.

The Acolyte Where to Watch Season All Season 1 *Availability in US stream

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buy Not available Not available Not available The Acolyte is a television series set in the Star Wars universe at the end of the High Republic Era, where both the Jedi and the Galactic Empire were at the height of their influence. This sci-fi thriller sees a former Padawan reunite with her former Jedi Master as they investigate several crimes - all leading to darkness erupting from beneath the surface and preparing to bring about the end of the High Republic. Cast Amandla Stenberg , Lee Jung-jae , Joonas Suotamo , Charlie Barnett , Dafne Keen , Leah Brady , Manny Jacinto , Rebecca Henderson , Carrie-Anne Moss , Jodie Turner-Smith , Dean-Charles Chapman , Lauren Brady , Anthony J. Abraham , Thara Shöön , Danielle Xin Yao Waterman , Sienna Khiroya , Jeramiah Evans , Dan Milne , Thomas Coombes , Archie Singh Swali , Nick Court , Ed Kear , Jumayn Hunter , Scroobius Pip , Abigail Thorn , Margarita Levieva , Amy Tsang , Saskia Allen , Deborah Rosan , Tabitha Alege , Paul Bullion , Indra Ové , Derek Arnold , Lewis Young Character(s) Yord Fandar , Mae , Master Sol , Kelnacca Jecki Lon , Little Mae , Qimir , Master Vernestra Rwoh , Master Indara , Mother Aniseya , Master Torbin , Padawan Torbin , Little Osha , Fillik , Tasi Lowa , Youngling , Restrained Convict , Convict , Olega Urchin , Olega Master , Olega Padawan , Scavenger , Ensign Eurus , Mother Koril , Ensign Rane , Scout Sarria , Ensign Shima , Elder Jaalyn , Master Lakshay , Master Holden , Master Ki-Adi-Mundi , Jedi Knight Seasons 1 Streaming Service(s) Disney+ Franchise(s) Star Wars Writers Leslye Headland , Charmaine De Grate , Kor Adana Directors Leslye Headland , Alex Garcia Lopez Showrunner Leslye Headland Expand

Manny Jacinto Is Right: Every Generation Struggles To Let Go Of Star Wars