As a cinema enthusiast who has seen my fair share of fanaticism across various genres and franchises, I cannot help but feel a sense of dismay when witnessing the unfortunate events surrounding “The Acolyte.” The fact that an exceptionally talented actor like Lee Jung-jae, who brought Sol to life so beautifully in this series, had to endure racist abuse is simply appalling. It’s not only unjust but also heartbreaking that a project as promising and diverse as “The Acolyte” was met with such negativity.
The winner of an Emmy Award and star of “Squid Game,” Lee Jung-jae, expressed shock over the racist abuse and harassment directed at the cast of the “Star Wars” series, where he played the respected character Jedi Master Sol. This show revealed a significant divide between critics’ and audience’s opinions (78% from critics versus 18% from viewers), with some aggressive fans attacking the cast, which also included Amandla Stenberg, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Manny Jacinto.
Lee expresses to Vanity Fair that he was deeply affected by the harmful and prejudiced reaction the series encountered. He empathizes particularly with Leslye Headland, believing she must have been greatly hurt as well. Interestingly, his response remains hopeful, expressing a desire for The Acolyte to gain renewed momentum in the future.
He expresses his belief that racism will eventually come to an end, acknowledging the challenges ahead. Just as certain projects require effort and time to become effective, he is optimistic that with the passage of time, more people will come to appreciate the importance of eradicating racism.
Lee Jung-Jae Knows That Toxic Fans Come With the ‘Star Wars’ Territory
As a devoted admirer myself, I acknowledge that Lee, like us, faced harsh criticism from fans back then. Yet, he maintains an optimistic outlook on the future, understanding that intense passion and vigor are inherent aspects of fandom.
As part of my profession, I’ve gained a fan base. It’s simply how things are. Therefore, I never underestimate this aspect and am consistently grateful for it.
The TV show titled “The Acolyte” was terminated in August, with Disney attributing its cancellation to low audience numbers and high production costs as the main factors. Unfortunately, the series was subjected to a harsh and disheartening “review bombing” campaign, and while some viewers undeniably had legitimate reasons for disliking the show, it regrettably serves as another instance of certain Star Wars fans directing racist abuse towards the diverse cast on social media. Lee isn’t the first member of “The Acolyte” cast to react to this disturbingly toxic backlash. Jodie Turner-Smith, who plays Mother Aniseya, the head of a coven of Force witches in the series, had previously criticized Disney for permitting such behavior and for failing to support their actors.
It’s essential that they no longer remain silent when individuals are being viciously attacked online due to racism and false accusations. Silence in such situations is unjust, and it’s truly unfair.
Released on Disney+ in June, “The Acolyte,” conceived by Leslye Headland, tells the story of a former Padawan who teams up with her Jedi Master to investigate a string of crimes. However, they soon discover that the forces they encounter are far more malevolent than they initially suspected.
Lee Jung-jae, on the other hand, will part ways with the Star Wars series and rejoin the thrilling Squid Game. The much-anticipated Season 2 is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on December 26, resuming three years after the initial season. In this new installment, Player 456 finds himself involved in another life-threatening game, where fresh competitors have been assembled with the aim of claiming a prize worth 45.6 billion won.
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2024-12-03 18:01