Following racist backlash fromThe Acolyte, star Lee Jung-jae has chosen to remain positive, instead focusing on his hopes for theStar Warsfandom’s future. This past summer,The Acolytebecame the center of controversy like theStar Warsfandom had never seen before, fromreview-bombing beforeThe Acolyte’s premiereto lore arguments that even led to a massiveWookieepedia scandal. Much of this controversial backlash was rooted in racism, particularly due toThe Acolyte’s diverse cast of characters. Unfortunately, this kind of backlash is nothing new forStar Wars, butMaster Solactor Jung-jae is still choosing hope.
While speaking toVanity Fair, Jung-jae was honest about how the backlash made him feel, sharing that “My feelings were hurt. Especially for [The Acolyte showrunner] Leslye Headland—her feelings must have hurt a lot.” This is not only because of the backlash itself, but also becauseThe Acolytewas ultimately canceled byStar Warsone month after its finale aired. While Jung-jae was “shocked” by the backlash, he still chose to remain positive, keeping his hope for a future that’s much better than the present.
Jung-jae insisted that “I can only have faith that racism will end someday, even though it’s going to be hard.” This positivity that Jung-jae displayed didn’t only apply to the racist backlash, however. He also expressed his hopes forThe Acolyte’s reception to change over time, reminding audiences that “it takes time to gain traction, and I have strong hopes that people will like it as time passes.” Given how the reception of theStar Warsprequel trilogy has changed vastly over the last two decades, Jung-jae’s hopes are more likely than some may think.
What Lee Jung-jae’s Positive Outlook Means For Star Wars
Will The Fandom Ever Truly Change?
Jung-jae’s outlook is certainly a refreshing one, although it’s very bittersweet in a way - because it’s not something that Jung-jae nor any of his co-stars should ever have to deal with. Racist backlash is nothing new in theStar Warsfandom, dating back many years and rising in prevalence during theStar Warssequel trilogy, and sadly,The Acolyte’s backlash was proof that it’s still quite a big problem.Jung-jae’s outlook, however, builds upon the very foundation ofStar Warsitself: hope. His hope for a brighter future for the fandom means it’s not yet utterly lost.
The Star Wars Fandom Needs To Change - But Will It?
Only The Fandom Itself Can Change Its Own Negative Reputation
It’s so unfortunate that theStar Warsfandom continues these behaviors that have given themselves one of the most negative reputations in fandom culture as a whole. It’s clear that the fandom needs to change, but the question is whether that change will actually come to pass or not. Jung-jae’s positivity is refreshing and certainly hopeful, but those feelings need to be turned into action. John Boyega, Kelly Marie Tran, Moses Ingram, and the entire cast ofThe Acolytedeserve so much better than what they’ve gotten: inaction in the face of racist backlash.
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It’s up to the fandom now to correct these behaviors.The divide within theStar Warsfandom duringThe Acolyteproves that there are many who are willing to try, but it will truly take even more than that. Hopefully,The Acolyteand its backlash will prove to be a crucial starting point for this kind of conversation, and Jung-jaes hopes about the fandom will one day come to pass.
The Acolyte
Cast
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.
