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

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.