The Acolyte’s Manny Jacinto Says Osha and Qimir Were Originally Meant to Kiss in Alternate Season 1 Ending

As a huge fan of Star Wars and The Acolyte, I was absolutely captivated by the dynamic between Qimir and Osha throughout the series. Their connection, hinted at in the final moments of Season 1 with their hand-holding gesture, left me intrigued and wanting more. Manny Jacinto‘s recent revelation to Vulture about an originally planned kiss between the two characters only added fuel to the fire of fan speculation.


In its finale, Disney+’s original series The Acolyte completed its eight-episode debut, sparking diverse fan reactions as usual for a fresh franchise entry. The last episode provided answers but also hinted at possibilities for a future season, like a sneak peek of the sinister Darth Plagueis. A significant aspect generating buzz was the intriguing relationship between antagonist Qimir (Manny Jacinto) and Osha (Amandla Stenberg), with their handholding in the closing scene garnering significant online attention.

As a gamer, I was looking forward to a more romantic ending between Qimir and Osha. But it seemed like a last-minute change as they ended up holding hands instead of kissing. According to Manny Jacinto in an interview with Vulture, that was the original plan. He confirmed our suspicions of a potential romance between them. However, when we filmed the scene, things took a different turn. It felt inappropriate for Qimir to kiss Osha after he had killed her friends and former master. But Manny hinted that this could be an area they explore further if Disney+ and Lucasfilm approve it in season two. Here’s the full quote: “We had originally planned for Qimir and Osha to share a romantic moment, but given the events of the previous episodes, it felt inappropriate. However, there’s definitely potential for exploring that romance further in season two if we get the green light.”

As a filmmaker with several years of experience under my belt, I’ve learned that every decision made during the production process carries significant weight. One such decision we faced while editing our latest project involved a scene between Osha and the Stranger. Initially, we filmed a passionate kiss between them, but upon reflection, we felt it may have been premature.

Being Seduced By the Dark Side of the Force

After it came to light that The Stranger was actually Qimir, many fans developed a deep affection for this character. Although Star Wars is known for its iconic antagonists, Qimir represented a fresh attempt to capitalize on the allure of the charming villain, a trend popularized by Marvel through characters such as Loki. With Qimir set to feature prominently in The Acolyte, the dark side of the Force took on a new and intriguing dimension.

The similar attraction between Rey and Kylo Ren in the sequel trilogy’s narrative seemed like an effort to draw back the fanbase that was enamored with their romantic connection, despite the dissatisfaction many felt about their storyline conclusion in “The Rise of Skywalker.” The market for “Reylo” fanfiction transitioning into published works has proven profitable, as demonstrated by books like “The Hurricane Wars” and “Love Hypothesis.” Courting this audience again could benefit “Star Wars” by attracting new fans while re-engaging some of its former followers.

Although some viewers might have enjoyed a romantic moment between Qimir and Osha, omitting the kiss was wise under the circumstances. Jacinto makes a valid point; such a scene would have felt inappropriate following his earlier actions against Osha’s companions. The controversy surrounding Superman and Lois Lane’s kiss in Man of Steel on the backdrop of destruction and deaths serves as a reminder. However, with the hint of a romantic connection between master and apprentice subtly introduced, there is immense potential for enthralling storylines if The Acolyte gets renewed for a second season.

The Acolyte
is streaming on Disney+

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2024-07-20 01:32