Manny Jacinto, a rising star in Hollywood, is making waves with his upcoming role in Freakier Friday, the sequel to the beloved 2003 body-swap comedy Freaky Friday. In the film, Jacinto joins a stellar cast including Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan, contributing to the next chapter of this fan-favorite franchise. However, it’s his recent role in the Star Wars series The Acolyte that has garnered significant attention, particularly his portrayal of the enigmatic Sith Lord known as the Stranger. According to a recent interview, Jacinto is eager to return to the Star Wars galaxy and reprise his chilling role as the masked villain.
In The Acolyte, set 100 years before the events of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Jacinto’s character, the Stranger, is a pivotal figure in the High Republic Era. As a Sith Lord, he takes on Amandla Stenberg’s Osha Aniseya as his apprentice, guiding her down the dark path after she murders Master Sol, played by Lee Jung-jae. Jacinto’s performance as the cunning and menacing Stranger left a lasting impression, with the series ending on a cliffhanger that teased further exploration of his character’s story. Despite the setup for a second season, Lucasfilm made the decision to cancel The Acolyte last August, leaving fans and cast members alike disappointed.
“I would love to,” Jacinto told ComicBook.com when asked about the possibility of returning to the Star Wars universe. “I would love to run it back. I love that character, that franchise, that team.” He expressed enthusiasm for the expansive nature of the Star Wars galaxy, noting, “We’ll put it out there. Star Wars is a big universe, galaxy, what have you. But if the fans want it, I’m down and ready to go.” Jacinto’s passion for the role underscores the potential for the Stranger to appear elsewhere in the franchise, whether in future series, films, or other media.
Why The Acolyte Was Canceled
The cancellation of The Acolyte came as a surprise to many, given its ambitious storytelling and high-profile cast. The series, created by Leslye Headland, was originally envisioned as a multi-season arc, with Jacinto revealing at Fan Expo (via Collider) that Headland had planned “for us to do three seasons, not just this one.” However, Disney opted not to renew the show, a decision explained by Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman. In an interview with Vulture, Bergman stated, “The show’s ratings weren’t where we needed it to be given the cost structure of that title, quite frankly, to go and make a season 2.” The high production costs, coupled with viewership numbers that did not meet expectations, ultimately led to the series’ conclusion after its debut season.
Despite the cancellation, The Acolyte has continued to expand through other media. Disney released a prequel novel, The Acolyte: The Crystal Crown, focusing on characters Jecki Lon (Dafne Keen) and Yord Fandar (Charlie Barnett). Additionally, a Marvel one-shot comic centered on the Wookiee Jedi Kelnacca has been published, keeping the High Republic Era alive in Star Wars lore.
While The Acolyte may not continue on Disney+, Jacinto’s comments suggest that the door remains open for the Stranger to return in some capacity within the vast Star Wars universe. For now, Jacinto is turning his attention to Freakier Friday, where he stars alongside Jamie Lee Curtis, Lindsay Lohan, Julia Butters, Sophia Hammons, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Mark Harmon, and Chad Michael Murray. The film is set to hit theaters on August 8, 2025, promising a fresh take on the classic body-swap premise.
