In a recent interview with the New York Times, The Acolyte showrunner Leslye Headland discussed her preference for practical sets over StageCraft and how this was reflected in the shows budget of $180 million, $22.5 million for each of the eight episodes.
In comparison, the first season of The Mandalorian reportedly cost $120 million, averaging $15 million per episode. While The Mandalorian has enjoyed three successful seasons, its future remains uncertain. Disney is reportedly waiting to see the box office performance of the upcoming spin-off film, The Mandalorian & Grogu, before deciding on a potential fourth season. A successful film could shift Disney’s focus to a potentially more profitable Mandalorian movie instead of additional seasons.
The latest addition to the Star Wars universe, The Acolyte, debuted on Disney+ on June 4th, 2024, releasing its first two episodes. Set at the end of the High Republic era, a century before the events of the Skywalker Saga, the series follows a Jedi investigation into a series of crimes. The star-studded cast includes Amandla Stenberg, Lee Jung-jae, Manny Jacinto, Dafne Keen, Charlie Barnett, Jodie Turner-Smith, Rebecca Henderson, Dean-Charles Chapman, Joonas Suotamo, and Carrie-Anne Moss.
Stream the first two episodes of The Acolyte on Disney+ now.
