In a surprising turn of events, Disney has decided to cancel The Acolyte, a Star Wars series that many fans had hoped would become a new cornerstone of the franchise. The cancellation comes despite the clear intentions of showrunner Leslye Headland to continue the story beyond its first season. This decision has left fans and cast members alike, including Lee Jung-jae, taken aback by the sudden end to a show that promised to explore new and darker aspects of the Star Wars universe.
Lee Jung-jae, who portrayed Master Sol in The Acolyte, recently shared his thoughts on the cancellation in an interview with Variety. “To hear the news, I was quite surprised personally as well,” Lee said.
One of the most striking moments in The Acolyte came when Lee’s character, Master Sol, met a tragic end at the hands of his former Padawan, Osha, played by Amandla Stenberg. In a shocking twist, Osha Force choked her old mentor to death. Given Sol’s demise, it seemed unlikely that Lee would return for a second season—had there been one. However, in the Star Wars universe, where characters frequently defy death, Lee’s comments have sparked speculation about whether Master Sol could have made a comeback.
“As you know, my character had died already in the first season,” Lee acknowledged. “So I wouldn’t have appeared in the second season if there was one anyway. But personally speaking, I really loved Leslye’s writing. I thought that she was a great writer and director who was very talented in storytelling, as well as in creating characters and meaningful structures within the story. So I was actually personally really looking forward to watching a Season 2 with her at the helm.”
It’s clear that Lee, like many fans, believed in the potential of The Acolyte to offer something new and exciting within the Star Wars franchise. Despite its fanbase, there have been other popular opinions that the choreography of fight scenes was the show's only strength, and its plot was lacking. This mixed reaction from fans is most likely what made the show too weak to continue in the eyes of Disney executives.
While the cancellation is somewhat understandable given the mixed opinions surrounding the show, it’s still disappointing for those who saw the potential in The Acolyte’s ambitious storytelling. Lee’s surprise at the news reflects the sentiments of many fans who were eager to see where the story would go next, especially with so many unresolved plot threads left hanging at the end of the first season. The finale teased a wealth of possibilities, including the unexpected appearance of Yoda, which left viewers with more questions than answers.
What makes Lee’s comments particularly interesting is the timing. Despite his character’s apparent demise, his remarks have led some fans to speculate about a potential return for Master Sol. In the Star Wars universe, death is rarely the end, and characters often find their way back into the story through flashbacks, Force visions, or even resurrection. Could Master Sol have returned in some capacity had The Acolyte continued? It’s not entirely out of the question, especially considering the show’s non-linear narrative and its willingness to explore different points in time.
Although Lee is currently busy with other projects, such as the highly anticipated second season of Squid Game, set to release on December 26th, the idea of Master Sol returning to the Star Wars saga is an intriguing possibility. Fans of both Lee and The Acolyte are left to wonder what could have been and whether there’s a chance we might see these characters again in the future.
For now, The Acolyte remains a series with untapped potential. A story cut short just as it was beginning to carve out its place in the Star Wars mythos. But with the passionate fanbase that Star Wars commands and the unpredictable nature of the entertainment industry, there’s always a glimmer of hope that this isn’t the end. Lee Jung-jae’s optimism about possible changes in the future suggests that the door to a second season—or even a revival of the series—might not be completely closed.