Why Disney and Lucasfilm Canceling Star Wars: The Acolyte Messes Up the Audience's Chances of Getting More of the Tale of Darth Plagueis the Wise

When it was announced, Star Wars: The Acolyte intrigued many fans by promising to explore a largely untouched era in the Star Wars timeline: the final days of the High Republic. This series was positioned to delve into the dark side of the Force and Sith lore, providing fresh insights into the galaxy’s sinister underbelly. The excitement, however, grew even more when fans speculated that the show might finally give us a deeper exploration of Darth Plagueis, the Sith Lord whose legacy has long been shrouded in mystery.

Now, with rumors of The Acolyte being canceled, this potential revelation could slip through our fingers—again. Here’s why the show's cancellation disrupts the much-anticipated deep dive into the lore surrounding Darth Plagueis the Wise.

1. The Tale of Darth Plagueis Is Canon, but Limited
Ever since Revenge of the Sith introduced audiences to "the tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise," fans have been captivated by the Sith Lord who could manipulate life and death through the Force. His pupil, Darth Sidious, or Emperor Palpatine, described him as powerful enough to stop others from dying but, ironically, unable to save himself from his apprentice's betrayal.



While Plagueis’ role in the grander Star Wars narrative is canon, Lucasfilm has yet to explore him in detail on-screen. The cancellation of The Acolyte shuts down what could have been the first opportunity to expand on this tale within the Disney era. There is no denying that the show's setting—just before the rise of the Sith as we know them—was a perfect platform to link back to Plagueis and his masterful manipulation of the Force.

2. Acolyte Was Perfectly Timed for Darth Plagueis’ Story
Set in the waning years of the High Republic, The Acolyte seemed poised to explore the slow resurgence of the Sith after their supposed extinction. This era, some 100 years before The Phantom Menace, is precisely the time when Plagueis, or at least his master, Darth Tenebrous, could have been actively working in the shadows. It’s no coincidence that many fans speculated The Acolyte could focus on Plagueis' apprenticeship, teaching, and the manipulation of his eventual pupil, Palpatine.

By exploring the machinations of Sith Lords from that period, we could have gained an understanding of how Plagueis fit into the larger Sith grand plan and the rise of the Empire. The absence of this series now leaves a void in that critical chapter of Star Wars history.

3. The Sith Perspective Is Rarely Explored in Star Wars
For decades, Star Wars has been about the battle between light and dark, with the spotlight mostly on the Jedi. What made The Acolyte stand out was its focus on the dark side—something rarely done in Star Wars storytelling. The Sith often operate in the shadows, and their storylines have largely remained untold. Darth Plagueis represents a crucial part of the Sith’s history, and exploring him would have provided a refreshing twist for long-time fans.



With The Acolyte potentially canceled, fans are left without one of the rare chances to truly understand the inner workings and philosophies of the Sith. This shift in focus would have complemented previous lore, adding richness and nuance to the Star Wars mythos.

4. The Long-Awaited Connection to Darth Sidious

Darth Plagueis is most famous for his connection to Darth Sidious, but this relationship is full of unanswered questions. How did Plagueis groom Sidious? How did Sidious become the dark mastermind we see in the prequels? The Acolyte could have set the stage to explore how these Sith lords quietly orchestrated galactic chaos, leading to the fall of the Jedi and the rise of the Empire.

By cutting the show, Disney and Lucasfilm remove a critical chance to further explain how this mentor-apprentice relationship shaped the fate of the galaxy. While we have Palpatine’s recounting of Plagueis' death, the deeper dynamics of their interactions, their plotting, and their goals remain uncharted territory.

5. A Missed Opportunity to Tie Together Expanded Universe and Canon
Fans of the now non-canon Expanded Universe (Legends) will remember James Luceno's 2012 novel Darth Plagueis, which gave readers a deep dive into Plagueis' rise to power, his experiments with immortality, and his mentoring of Palpatine. While this novel was decanonized when Disney took over, it remains a fan favorite, and The Acolyte could have offered a canonized version of the story.

By canceling the show, Lucasfilm misses the opportunity to bridge these two universes, satisfying both die-hard Legends readers and newer fans. This could have been a moment of unification in Star Wars lore, merging both the old and new interpretations of Plagueis into one cohesive narrative.

Conclusion: The Void Left by The Acolyte’s Cancellation
The potential cancellation of Star Wars: The Acolyte is more than just the loss of a new series—it’s the loss of a golden opportunity to expand on one of the most tantalizing stories in Star Wars. The allure of Darth Plagueis’ mystery, the chance to explore the Sith in greater depth, and the link between Plagueis and Palpatine are all critical pieces of Star Wars history that remain untouched.

Without this exploration, fans are left with questions and fragments of a story that deserves so much more. By canceling The Acolyte, Disney and Lucasfilm risk leaving one of the most compelling and untold stories in Star Wars lore unfinished.