Key Takeaways:
– Director Leslye Headland defends the presence of LGBTQ+ themed content in the series ‘The Acolyte'.
– Major discontent arises from fans on the Anakin Skywalker storyline being threatened due to new plotline developments.
– New elements hint at diverse birth narratives within the Star Wars universe.
‘The Acolyte': A Fresh Perspective on the Star Wars Universe
The Star Wars universe, rich in diversity, regularly announces new shows and movies, much to the delight of fans. However, the recent addition, ‘The Acolyte', created by Leslye Headland on Disney+, has stirred a significant reaction. While it initially enjoyed a warm response, later episodes sparked criticism for embracing a supposedly more inclusive storyline and introducing queerness into the narrative.
Director Leslye Headland's Stand on ‘Woke' Storyline
A first in Star Wars history, Headland, an openly queer person directed ‘The Acolyte'. She has faced considerable backlash for introducing LGBTQ+ messaging into the storyline, primarily centered around the characters Mother Aniseya and Mother Koril.
In response to criticisms, Headland told The Hollywood Reporter, “As a gay woman, I knew it could be interpreted that their sexuality is queer, but there are also no men in their community. It's natural for them to have a close relationship. It's guided by the plot. It's reductive to simply label them as lesbians.”
Questioning the Legacy of Anakin Skywalker
Much of the backlash arises from the new development in the Anakin Skywalker storyline. Osha and Mae, twins born to the purportedly lesbian couple Aniseya and Koril, are viewed as threatening Anakin's chosen one prophecy.
The rumors suggest that Aniseya used her force powers to impregnate Koril with the twins to increase the coven ranks. Fan theories indicate that this birth narrative is strongly associated with Anakin Skywalker and could disturb the chosen one prophecy, a notable point of contention among the fan base.
The Idea of Anakin's Force Birth Questioned
The third episode of ‘The Acolyte' sees Mother Aniseya insisting on Osha's decision to train as a Jedi, sparking a debate with Mother Koril, “And what happens if the Jedi discover how you created them?”.
This question insinuates a secret backstory to the birth of the only children in a community of women. This concept is vaguely reminiscent of Anakin Skywalker's mysterious birth in ‘The Phantom Menace' where there was no definitive father, leading fans to believe that Anakin was the chosen one, formed directly by the Force itself.
A New Twist – Anakin Wasn't The First
Some theories tie Anakin's birth to Palpatine's Force experiments as suggested by Darth Vader's vision of his pregnant mother overshadowed by Darth Sidious. However, Lucasfilm denied this theory, stating that Anakin was created by the will of the Force, not by the dark side.
With ‘The Acolyte' showcasing that Anakin was not the first to be formed by the Force in an unconventional manner, it widens the scope for future storylines in the Star Wars universe. However, this also shakes the foundational belief of Anakin's unique origin story, causing significant upheaval among the fans.
Despite the criticism and ongoing debates, ‘The Acolyte' promises to keep viewers hooked with its new and intriguing developments. It is currently available for streaming on Disney+. Watch it and venture into the expanded Star Wars universe.
