Actor Manny Jacinto recently shared insights into the original vision for The Acolyte during a Fan Expo panel. Known for his role as Qimir in the Star Wars series, Jacinto discussed showrunner Leslye Headland’s ambitious plans for the show, which included three seasons and a feature film. He also highlighted how the cancellation of the series cut short many storylines and potential developments. Jacinto’s comments shed light on what could have been for this High Republic-era project.
Manny Jacinto says Star Wars: The Acolyte was planned for Season 2 and 3
Manny Jacinto, who portrayed Qimir in The Acolyte, shared during a Fan Expo panel moderated by Collider’s Maggie Lovitt that showrunner Leslye Headland had an extensive vision for the Star Wars series.
Jacinto stated, “I remember Leslye’s dream was for us to do three seasons, not just this one… But there’s something about having a finite ending to things that makes it so much more special. So, yeah, I don’t know if I’d do it or not, but you know, three seasons and a movie would have been incredible, and I know we had so much more to explore with that second season.”
The Acolyte debuted in the summer, marking the first Star Wars project set during the High Republic era, 100 years before The Phantom Menace. Critics praised the series, but Disney canceled it after one season. Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman cited the show’s high production cost of over $230 million for eight episodes as the reason for its cancellation.
Jacinto revealed that Season 2 would have explored key plotlines from the first season, including the role of Darth Plagueis, who briefly appeared in the finale. Plagueis was “definitely” part of the plan if Season 2 had gotten the go-ahead, as per Jacinto. Other threads, including the character dynamics between Qimir and Osha and a cameo from Yoda, remain unresolved following the cancellation.
The Acolyte expanded the Star Wars universe by exploring a new era. However, its abrupt end leaves many storylines unresolved. The High Republic still features in published Star Wars materials. The future of on-screen projects in this era remains unclear. Fans can revisit The Acolyte on Disney+ for a glimpse into this untapped corner of Star Wars lore.
