We’re still a ways out from the release of the live-action Star Wars series, The Acolyte, but we may now know it’s release window.
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Over the course of a number of months, I’ve heard on various occasions, including very recently, that the Leslye Headland created series, The Acolyte, is aiming to release sometime in the second quarter of next year which runs from April 1st to June 30th. I’ve not heard a specific date, nor have I even heard of a specific month, but I’m sure many will assume a May release given Star Wars’ long standing connection with that month, but I cannot comment on that speculation at this time. Perhaps the release window will become more clear to me as the year progresses and I’ll be sure to update readers. Disney and Lucasfilm showcased a trailer for The Acolyte at Star Wars Celebration in April and Disney’s Upfront event in May, which confirmed a vague 2024 release, and the trailer is yet to release publicly.
Of course I must state that this second quarter release window I’ve heard of might not be set in stone with the film and television industry currently in the midst of two strikes, one from the Writers Guild of America, and the other from the the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. The WGA has been striking since May and SAG-AFTRA began their strike earlier this month. Some of the biggest sticking points for the SAG-AFTRA and WGA members is the use of artificial intelligence, base pay safeguards and streaming service residuals.
Given the current strikes, it’s possible that Disney may end up shaking things up in regards to their film and television slates. I’ve heard that things are in motion, but as it stands currently, The Acolyte is aiming for the second quarter of 2024. Disney, along with Warner Bros. Discovery, are both rumoured to be considering delaying a select number of films due to release this Fall due to SAG-AFTRA members not being able to promote their projects while currently striking. Just yesterday SAG-AFTRA shared that they were ready to go back to the bargaining table with the Hollywood studios being represented by the AMPTP, but that they had declined. Disney CEO, Bob Iger, who recently extended his contact with the company and is looking to potentially earn $27M this year, previously said that both SAG-AFTRA and the WGA are being unrealistic in regards to their demands, “There’s a level of expectation that they have, that is just not realistic. And they are adding to the set of the challenges that this business is already facing that is, quite frankly, very disruptive.”
I believe I have a decent history when it comes to reporting release windows for upcoming Star Wars series. Previously I was first to report that the first season of Andor was set to release in August of 2022, which was confirmed but later delayed to September of that year and back in March I was first to share that Skeleton Crew was looking to release around November or December this year, which was later stated by a star of the series, Jaleel White. As of the time of writing, I am still being told that Skeleton Crew is still looking to release later this year, with a source telling me as much recently, but as previously mentioned, with the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, it’s possible that the release date gets impacted, but that’s merely speculation on my part. You can support the actors and writers currently on strike in various ways including donating to the DSA-LA who have been providing those on the picket lines with food and water along with the Entertainment Community Fund which supports those in the industry that are in need of emergency financial assistance.
The Acolyte, which is set during the High Republic era, follows a former padawan and her Jedi master as they investigate a series of crimes, but encounter forces more sinister than what they’ve imagined. The series stars Amandla Stenberg (Bodies, Bodies, Bodies) as the lead, as well as Lee Jung Jae (Squid Game), Dafne Keen (His Dark Materials), Manny Jacinto (The Good Place), Jodie Turner-Smith (After Yang), Charlie Bennett (Russian Doll), Rebecca Henderson (Inventing Anna), Dean Charles Chapman (1917), Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix) and Margarita Levieva (Daredevil: Born Again).
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