Disney unveiled the staggering pre-production cost of its upcoming Star Wars streaming series The Acolyte, setting the studio back a whopping $49.2 million (£38.3 million).
Per Forbes, the ambitious project is set before the events of the main Star Wars movies, promising a fresh perspective on the franchise. However, the budget has raised eyebrows, especially considering recent cost-cutting initiatives at Disney.
Comparing the numbers, The Acolyte outspent the 2016 blockbuster Rogue One by $5.5 million (£4.3 million). The hit Star Wars streaming series Andor, shot during the height of the pandemic, incurred 38% higher pre-production costs due to necessary COVID protocols and budget adjustments. Surprisingly, even the pre-production expenses of the main Star Wars saga films, like The Last Jedi, were not significantly higher than The Acolyte's.
What Is The Acolyte?
What sets The Acolyte apart is its unique time period, taking place approximately 100 years before the events of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. In this era, there is peace throughout the galaxy, diverging from the typical backdrop of widespread galactic conflict seen in other Star Wars stories, such as the wildly successful The Mandalorian.
The Acolyte's cast features talents like Lee Jung-jae from Squid Game, Manny Jacinto from The Good Place, and Dafne Keen from Logan. The show's biggest surprise came when Keanu Reeves was revealed to have a cameo role, reuniting with his Matrix co-star Carrie Ann Moss, who reportedly plays a Jedi during their peak power.
The series commenced principal photography at Shinfield Studios, near London, using the same innovative StageCraft LED screens that brought success to The Mandalorian. Filming in the UK allowed the studio to benefit from the Television Tax Relief scheme, providing a cash reimbursement of up to 25% of their expenses in the country. Despite the significant budget, The Acolyte is shrouded in secrecy. Showrunner Leslye Headland has revealed little about the series, further fueling intrigue.
Disney's decision to invest heavily in The Acolyte comes amid a broader effort to tighten its purse strings. CEO Bob Iger stated the studio's need to reduce costs across all productions, recognizing the exorbitant expenses incurred in recent years. As a result, Disney cut 7,000 jobs and implemented $5.5 billion in cost savings. With Disney+ subscriptions granting access to all new content throughout the year for a single fee, it becomes challenging to gauge the revenue generated by each streaming show.
The Acolyte does not yet have a release date.
Source: Forbes