LESLYE HEADLAND CRIES AFTER EPISODE 7 BACKLASH & RATINGS DISASTER! BLAMES FANS & CRITICS

Summary

The video script discusses the backlash against 'The Acolyte' episode 7 on Disney Plus, set to air on July 16th. Leslie Headland, the show's director and creator, is criticized for her response to negative ratings and perceived damage control. Headland, previously Harvey Weinstein's assistant, is accused of prioritizing her vision over fan reception, dismissing ratings from sites like Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb as biased against diversity. The video suggests that Lucasfilm is in turmoil due to the series' reception and budget cuts, with Headland's comments sparking further controversy.

Takeaways

• 📺 The Acolyte Episode 7 is set to debut on Disney Plus on July 16th, marking the conclusion of the series.
• 🚫 Leslie Hedin, the show's director and showrunner, is in 'damage control mode' following negative fan reactions and low ratings.
• 🤔 Hedin dismisses the ratings and criticisms, suggesting they are driven by an agenda against diversity, equity, and inclusion in Star Wars.
• 🎭 Hedin believes there is a 'silent majority' of fans who love the show but are afraid to voice their support due to fear of being labeled.
• 💥 The Acolyte has been described as a major disaster, with comparisons made to the divisive reception of 'The Last Jedi', suggesting it may be worse.
• 💬 Hedin accuses a 'toxic part' of the fandom, mostly males against powerful women, of using review sites to push a negative narrative.
• 💸 The show's budget is reportedly around $180 million, with additional marketing costs potentially bringing the total close to $200 million.
• 📉 Despite the high budget, the perceived cheap production quality, including sets and costume design, has been criticized.
• 🤷‍♀️ Hedin expresses frustration at the need to continually explain her vision to detractors, suggesting a lack of understanding from the fandom.
• 🔄 Kathleen Kennedy and the Lucasfilm story group are said to be in a state of panic, with the Acolyte backlash and other issues causing internal turmoil.
• 📉 The backlash is leading to budget cuts and uncertainty about the future of Star Wars projects at Lucasfilm.

Q & A

What is the significance of the date July 16th mentioned in the script?

July 16th is the debut date for the seventh episode of 'The Acolyte' on Disney Plus, which is said to conclude the series.

Who are Leslie Hedin and Kathleen Kennedy, and what are their roles in relation to the script's discussion?

Leslie Hedin is the director and showrunner of 'The Acolyte', and Kathleen Kennedy is a key figure at Lucasfilm. Both are mentioned as being in 'damage control mode' and 'double down mode' regarding the series and its reception.

What does the script suggest about the reception of 'The Acolyte' on platforms like Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb?

The script implies that 'The Acolyte' has received poor ratings on platforms like Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb, indicating a negative reception from both critics and fans.

What is the controversy surrounding the character Osha in 'The Acolyte'?

The controversy involves a scene between characters Kair and Osha that some viewers found inappropriate, especially considering Hedin's statement that 'Star Wars' is meant for younger audiences.

What is Leslie Hedin's response to the backlash and low ratings of 'The Acolyte'?

Leslie Hedin dismisses the ratings and backlash as driven by an agenda against diversity, equity, and inclusion, suggesting that the negative reception is not representative of the true fanbase.

What does the script imply about the budget of 'The Acolyte'?

The script suggests that 'The Acolyte' had a high budget, possibly around $180 million or more when including marketing expenses, which some believe is not reflected in the quality of the show.

How does the script describe the state of Lucasfilm in light of the 'The Acolyte' backlash?

The script describes Lucasfilm as being in 'shambles', facing budget cuts and uncertainty about the future of their 'Star Wars' projects due to the backlash.

What is the claim made by Leslie Hedin regarding the authenticity of ratings and viewership reports?

Leslie Hedin claims that the ratings and viewership reports are not authentic and are driven by a one-sided narrative from those opposed to diversity in 'Star Wars'.

What does the script suggest about the silent majority of 'The Acolyte' fans?

The script suggests that there is a silent majority of fans who love the show but are afraid to express their support openly for fear of being labeled negatively.

How does the script characterize Leslie Hedin's reaction to the criticism of 'The Acolyte'?

The script characterizes Leslie Hedin's reaction as a 'maximum cope', indicating that she is struggling to accept the backlash and is defensive about the criticism.

What is the script's final assessment of 'The Acolyte' in comparison to 'The Last Jedi'?

The script suggests that 'The Acolyte' has been received even worse than 'The Last Jedi', making the latter seem better in comparison.