IN A passionate effort to revive a beloved TV series, Disney+ fans have launched a petition to save a Star Wars show.
The petition has already amassed over 50,000 signatures in just one week.
The Acolyte was set in the High Republic era of the Star Wars universe, around a century before the rise of Anakin Skywalker.
The series featured a talented cast, including Amandla Stenberg, Manny Jacinto, and Lee Jung-jae, whose portrayals of the lead characters quickly won the hearts of many.
The eight-episode arc ended over a month ago – leaving fans on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting more.
Despite its fresh approach and devoted fanbase, The Acolyte faced challenges, including a targeted ‘review bombing’ campaign by online trolls who left negative reviews without even watching the show.
This campaign seemed to have impacted its ratings, leading to a decline in viewership after an initially successful premiere of its first two episodes.
Last week show bosses announced that the series had been shelved, mere weeks after its first season finale aired on Disney+.
Fans were left heartbroken after hearing the announcement, and many turned to social media to express their disappointment.
One supporter – whose username is Blue Smith – went the extra mile and started a change.org petition for the show to be brought back.
In his plea to Disney+ bosses, which he titled Renew The Acolyte, Blue wrote: “The Acolyte opened the doors for so many Star Wars fans, new and old, to feel seen.
“To feel welcomed and accepted by an IP and fandom that hadn’t previously been so for anyone who didn’t check off certain boxes.
“Not only that, but The Acolyte became a beacon for representation that many fans have felt was lacking in the Star Wars universe for decades.
“With both creators and actors that truly understood the world of Star Wars, The Acolyte quickly became a fan favourite because of the clear passion and love shown in the work, and the drive to give us something new and fresh to fall in love with.
“New characters with new stories that still existed within the same galaxies we cherished.
“Regardless of the orchestrated review bombing by a small faction of loud trolls, and all of the other obstacles this show had to face straight out the gate, it trended repeatedly throughout and after the show aired.
“It has a very dedicated fanbase, willing to fight for its continuation. It’s a story that deserves to be told.”
The petition’s page also offers various ways for supporters to get involved, such as sending letters directly to Disney and Lucasfilm, providing feedback online, and participating in coordinated letter campaigns.
Several signatories joined in with heartfelt messages, expressing their reasons for supporting the petition.
One fan called emphasized the importance of giving original Star Wars content a chance to thrive, especially when it features diverse leads.
Another supporter, called Lisa, described The Acolyte as “the adult Star Wars content I’ve been waiting to see for years”.
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