Key Takeaways
– The first trailer for ‘Star Wars: The Acolyte' set a new record for Lucasfilm, acquiring 51.3 million views in its initial 24 hours.
– Despite the impressive number of views, the trailer on YouTube received over 365k dislikes, significantly outweighing its 166k likes.
– The series ‘Star Wars: The Acolyte' is set in the High Republic era, hundreds of years before ‘Star Wars: The Phantom Menace'.
– The series will premiere on Disney+ on June 4th.
‘Star Wars: The Acolyte' Trailer Sets New Lucasfilm Record
A new digital record was set as the trailer for ‘Star Wars: The Acolyte' hit 51.3 million views in just a day, as per a Lucasfilm announcement. Debuting on YouTube, the trailer surpassed the records of all previous Disney+ Lucasfilm series trailers, including ‘The Mandalorian', ‘The Book of Boba Fett', ‘Andor', ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi', and ‘Ahsoka'. Lucasfilm, expressing their gratitude for the viewers' support, is eagerly awaiting the audience's reception once the series premieres.
Mixed Reactions Dampen Record Breaking Debut
However, not all feedback has been positive. To the amusement of many and the dismay of others, the trailer has garnered a considerable number of dislikes on YouTube. Standing at over 365k dislikes against 166k likes, it's a stark contrast to the initial whirlwind of views it received. While some of the dislikes may be attributed to review bombing, an unpopular internet trend, it's clear that the trailer instigated a diverse range of reactions.
Series Breaks Away from Traditional Star Wars Timeline
With no intention to dim the anticipation, the storyline of ‘The Acolyte' steps away from the usual Skywalker Saga timeline. Basing itself in the High Republic era, it preludes the events of ‘Star Wars: The Phantom Menace' by centuries. This era has been portrayed in Star Wars' books and comics, but it's exciting to see it visually brought to life in a series.
Showrunner Leslye Headland assures that viewers won't need prior knowledge of this era to understand the plot. The series boasts an ensemble cast including Amandla Stenberg, Lee Jung-jae of ‘Squid Game' fame, Manny Jacinto from ‘The Good Place', Dafne Keen, Charlie Barnett, Jodie Turner-Smith, Rebecca Henderson, Dean-Charles Chapman, and Carrie-Anne Moss.
Premise Teases Dark Forces and Sinister Twists
The logline of ‘The Acolyte' hints at a riveting plot with the tagline: “An investigation into a shocking crime spree pits a respected Jedi Master against a dangerous warrior from his past. As more clues emerge, they travel down a dark path where sinister forces reveal all is not what it seems.” Mark your calendars – ‘The Acolyte' premieres on Disney+ on June 4th.
The Future for ‘The Acolyte'
While the YouTube dislikes for the trailer suggest mixed sentiment, it's important to remember that the series is yet to air any episodes. With the first trailer merely providing a glimpse into the series, fans and critics alike are curious about what's to come. The diverse reactions could fuel further curiosity and potentially draw a broader audience to the series. Let's hope that as more content unfurls, ‘The Acolyte' can manifest the anticipation into solid viewership and critical appreciation.
