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TheStar Warsfranchise has entertained audiences since the 70s, and its reputation has never been the same since the original trilogy. The franchise has become infamous for being the most divisive in Hollywood with fan wars and immense toxicity prevalent now more than ever. The prequel and modern trilogy were a considerable step down from the original trilogy.
With the introduction of theStar Warsshows, the majority of them have been disappointments except for the first two seasons ofThe MandalorianandAndor.The Acolyteis now the latest show to face the wrath of fans for its lackluster narrative and lazy writing. While Kathleen Kennedy blamed the male-dominated fan base for the franchise backlash, fans lambasted Kennedy for her tone-deaf views.
Fans Shut Down Kathleen Kennedy Blaming Male-Dominated Fanbase for Franchise Failure
Star Wars‘ latest offeringThe Acolytehas been met withoverwhelmingly negative reviewsfrom fans. While its first two episodes were promising, fans were very critical of the third and fourth episodes as it went downhill concerning its narrative consistency, and the show became frustratingly convoluted. It currently has a 14% audience score onRotten Tomatoes.
“You’re not really paying attention to this story”: The Acolyte Creator Leslye Headland is Blaming Star Wars Fans Now for Misunderstanding Her Show
While there has been the extreme side of the fanbase where they bring their political agenda to criticize anyStar Warscontent no matter what, there are indeed legitimate criticisms forThe Acolyteand aspects to like about it. Lucasfilm headKathleen Kennedyrecently toldThe New York Timeshow women working inStar Wars,includingThe AcolyteshowrunnerLeslye Headland, struggle due to the fanbase being so male-dominated.
Fans were not happy with Kennedy blaming the fanbase for the failure of many of itsStar Warsprojects, instead of owning up to their mistakes of constantly delivering them underwhelming content. Some pointed out how films such asRogue OneandTomb Raider,which are led by female protagonists, did not struggle and went on to become huge hits. Here are some of the reactions,
Curious. Tomb Raider and Aliens have female leads and a male dominated audience and they don’t seem to struggle at all. Rogue One had a female lead and everyone loved it.
Could it be that The Acolyte is just trash?pic.twitter.com/8M1DpmF3mc
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray)July 30, 2025
Exactly. And Rogue One is the best Star Wars movie ever. (Just my personal opinion)
— Meleern (@Meleern)July 11, 2025
Female leads aren’t the problem.
That’s never been the problem.
Bad storytelling is the problem.
Always has been.
Kennedy and Co. have simply prioritized an agenda over good storytelling.
It’s like going to a lecture nowadays.
— Anonymous Troll Demon (@TrollDemonAnon)August 17, 2025
And it’s a ridiculous statement anyway, even leaving political implications aside. Since when do men hate watching pretty women run around on screen? As I recall, Charlie’s Angels and Baywatch did pretty well.
— Steve Salerno … ᴀs Eᴅᴇɴ sɪɴᴋs ᴛᴏ ɢʀɪᴇғ. (@iwrotesham)July 22, 2025
You don’t even have to go back that far. How about Amazon’s FallOut series? The main character is a woman, despite their fanbase being mostly men. I haven’t heard a single bad thing about her portrayal.
— V (@V4vendetta14)July 22, 2025
The Acolyte isn’t the Only One: Another 2024 Star Wars Series is Getting Ripped by Trolls for Introducing a Non-Binary Jedi Who Uses They/Them Pronouns
As many have pointed out, having a female lead or a female director in any franchise has nothing to do with how it is received. Except for the extremely toxic group of the fanbase, people will judge a film or show based on its narrative, and recentStar Warsshows have failed to deliver in that respect.
Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy Teases What’s Next For Rey In Her UpcomingStar WarsFilm
After 2019’sThe Rise of Skywalker, theStar Warsfranchise will be returning to theatrical films with its upcoming film centered on Daisy Ridley’s Rey. The director of the film, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, recently talked toSirius XMabout what fans can expect from it.
“I’ve been saying he’s a part of the problem since Ahsoka”: Dave Filoni Needs a Miracle to Save His Image as the Savior of Star Wars After ‘The Acolyte’ Wipes Out All Credibility
Obaid-Chinoy stated that the film will be a natural progression ofRey’s storyfollowing the events ofThe Rise of Skywalker. She also teased that the upcoming feature will follow Rey’s adventure in a Jedi Academy and create a world that is led and defined by who Rey is. The director said,
This world that they want young viewers to sort of walk into and have an understanding of the world, at the heart of it, for me, is Rey Skywalker. It’s Daisy Ridley and her story, and taking her on an adventure to a Jedi Academy, and sort of creating a world that is a natural dovetail to the story that we’ve seen her go through in the last three episodes.
Obaid-Chinoy further revealed how he is having conversations with J.J Abrams, George Lucas, and Dave Filoni to perfect the story of the film. She is taking her own sweet time with its story and wants it to do justice to the character. It remains to be seen whether the director can shift the negative discourse around the franchise with this new film.
Fans can watchThe Acolyteon Disney+.
Rahul Thokchom
Senior Writer
Articles Published :1276
Rahul Thokchom is a senior content writer at Fandomwire who is passionate about covering the world of pop culture and entertainment. He has a Masters Degree in English that contributes to the richness and creativity in his works.
