‘Star Wars: The Acolyte’s’ True Budget Revealed—Far Higher Than Originally Reported

Star Wars: The Acolyte, Disney+’s spinoff set during the High Republic era, ended up costing far more than initially reported.

While early estimates put the budget at $180 million, new filings show that total spending reached $230.8 million, or about £190.8 million at current rates. This represents a 10.5% increase in costs just before the show’s release last year.

The series, created by Leslye Headland, premiered on June 4, 2024, with the first two episodes released together and the remaining six episodes following weekly. Headland wanted to explore the Star Wars universe from the perspective of the villains.

The show featured a large cast including Amandla Stenberg, Lee Jung-jae, Charlie Barnett, Dafne Keen, Rebecca Henderson, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Carrie-Anne Moss. Filming took place at Shinfield Studios in Berkshire from October 2022 to June 2023, with additional scenes shot in Wales and Portugal.

Although critics generally gave favorable reviews, the series divided fans and faced lower viewership than previous Star Wars shows.

The show also became the target of a review bombing campaign. In August 2024, Disney announced that the series was canceled due to low audience numbers and high production costs. Despite this, the show received several nominations, including a Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Award.

The filings reveal that the total cost works out to $46.2 million per hour of content, far above the $1.4 million per hour minimum for reimbursement. Disney received $43.8 million in tax credits, reducing its net spending to $187 million. One of the biggest expenses was staff salaries, which totaled $30.4 million, with an average of 344 employees per month at the peak of production.

However, the report also highlighted workforce issues. In April 2023, only 30% of the 695 employees were women, and female staff earned 19.4% less per hour than male staff. This stands out given the series’ focus on diversity on screen.

The high budget and low audience numbers show the challenges of producing expensive, high-profile Star Wars content for streaming. Even with talented creators and a strong cast, financial realities and fan response can heavily impact a show’s future.

The Acolyte’s budget shows just how costly modern Star Wars productions have become, and the cancellation highlights the risks involved. It’s a reminder that even big-name franchises can struggle if the story doesn’t connect with audiences. What do you think, was the budget justified, or did Disney overspend? Share your thoughts in the comments.