Thursday , 7 November 2024
Home Business Hollywood & Entertainment Disney Exposes Pay Inequity in Female-Led ‘The Acolyte’ Series
Hollywood & Entertainment

Disney Exposes Pay Inequity in Female-Led ‘The Acolyte’ Series

The Acolyte

Disney’s recent filings have uncovered significant pay disparities in its Star Wars spinoff series, ‘The Acolyte,’ despite its female-led cast. Documents reveal that in early April last year, only 30% of the 695 production employees were female, and their average hourly pay was 19.4% less than their male counterparts.

Set 100 years before ‘Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace,’ ‘The Acolyte’ follows a former Jedi apprentice reuniting with her master to investigate crimes. Amandla Stenberg plays dual roles as Osha and her evil twin Mae, while Jodie Turner-Smith stars as their mother, Aniseya. The series boasts a diverse cast, with actors like Dafne Keen and Rebecca Henderson portraying key roles.

Despite being hailed as the most inclusive Star Wars project, ‘The Acolyte’ faced criticism and was labeled “woke,” affecting its ratings on Rotten Tomatoes. Initially scoring 50% with audiences, it has since dropped to 14%, though its critics’ score remains at 85%. Reviews highlight structural issues, with Rolling Stone and USA Today criticizing its uneven and illogical narrative.

Disney’s strategy for Star Wars, mirroring its Marvel approach, emphasizes innovation, institutionalization, and iteration. While the original trilogy’s rarity fueled anticipation, the frequent releases have diluted the franchise’s impact. Despite some successes like ‘The Mandalorian,’ the multitude of shows has made it challenging to maintain quality.

Financially, ‘The Acolyte’ had a strong start with 4.8 million views on its first day, but its production costs were substantial. Filmed in the UK, the show’s pre-production expenses alone amounted to $48.5 million. UK regulations also required Disney to disclose gender pay gaps, revealing that women’s pay on ‘The Acolyte’ was 19.4% lower than men’s.

Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy acknowledged the challenges faced by women in the Star Wars franchise but emphasized the need for equality behind the scenes. As ‘The Acolyte’ continues to air, Disney faces the task of balancing quality with its prolific production pace while addressing pay disparities among its workforce.

Leave a comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Articles

Michael Jackson
Hollywood & Entertainment

‘Thriller’ Tops Charts Again as Halloween Favorite

As Halloween arrives, Michael Jackson’s legendary hit “Thriller” surges to the top...

The Line
Hollywood & Entertainment

“The Line”: A Deep Dive into Fraternity Hazing

In his feature debut, The Line, Ethan Berger delves into the toxic...

Godzilla Minus One
Hollywood & Entertainment

Godzilla Minus One Celebrates 70 Years with Record Re-Release

In celebration of “Godzilla Day” and the iconic franchise’s 70th anniversary, the...

Agatha All Along
Hollywood & Entertainment

Agatha All Along: A Spellbinding Finale for More Marvel Magic

The season finale of Agatha All Along has created quite a stir...