Warning! This article contains SPOILERS forThe Acolyte.
Summary
AlthoughThe Acolyteis a great showcase for its star, this only goes to show just how much they were wasted inTop Gun: Maverick.The Acolyteis the latest in a string of streaming series set in theStar Warsuniverse. The show follows Amandla Stenberg in the dual role of Osha and Mae, sisters who were separated in their youth. Osha is a former Padawan who reconnects with her Jedi Master to investigate a series of crimes during the end of the High Republic era.The Acolyte’s episodesfollow its heroes as they unpick a series of grisly mysteries.
In the process, Osha’s story introduces viewers to a wide variety of supporting stars. Among them are Carrie-Anne Moss’s Indara, a Jedi Master killed by Mae, and Qimir, Mae’s Sith master. Qimir’s actor might surprise sitcom fans since the character is played by an actor best known for their work on a popular TV comedy. The part ofThe Acolyte’s new Sith Lordmight seem like a dark role, but this star already proved in an earlier blockbuster that they had range beyond their breakout comedy part. Unfortunately, their role was almost entirely cut from the finished film before release.
Top Gun 3 Needs To Use The Maverick and Rooster Story That Top Gun 2 Weirdly Ignored
Top Gun 3 needs to address a connection between Rooster and Maverick that Tom Cruise’s character somehow never acknowledged in Top Gun: Maverick.
The Acolyte Shows How Much Top Gun: Maverick Wasted Manny Jacinto
The Good Place Supporting Star Was Almost Entirely Cut From Top Gun’s Sequel
While many viewers may not have even noticed this,The Good Place’s Manny Jacinto had a supporting role inTop Gun: Maverick. Jacinto’s work inThe Good Placeproved he could be funny and charismatic, andThe Acolytehas since seen the actor display a great amount of dramatic range. Both of these showcases prove thatTop Gun: Maverickwasted Jacinto’s talents by leaving almost all of his character’s screen time on the cutting room floor.Top Gun: Maverickhad a lot to balance, butThe Acolytemakes the brevity of Jacinto’s almost non-existent role even more of a shame.
To be fair to Jacinto,Top Gun: Maverickdeleted another pivotal scenestarring Lewis Pullman’s B.O.B and Monica Barbaro’s Phoenix because it ran the risk of distracting from the main narrative. The sequel was focused on Maverick’s character arc and his relationship with Miles Teller’s Rooster, so it is perhaps unsurprising that Jacinto’s superfluous Fritz got so little screen time. However, Glen Powell’s scene-stealing turn as Hangman inTop Gun: Maverickeffectively launched the actor into blockbuster stardom. As such, it is fair to say that Jacinto’s Fritz could have gotten more story focus from the sequel.
Top Gun 3 Should Bring Back Manny Jacinto’s Fritz
Top Gun: Maverick Wasted The Supporting Character
Now thatThe Acolytehas proven how versatile Jacinto is, the star will have a higher profile and will be even more of a proven talent by the timeTop Gun 3’s production commences. It would be fair to expect the filmmakers to expand his role in the sequel, turning Fritz into the fully fleshed-out supporting character he could have been inTop Gun: Maverick. In the process,Top Gun: Maverick’s sequel could use some of that charisma, humor, and dramatic range that Jacinto has displayed inThe AcolyteandThe Good Place, making up for its predecessor’s missed opportunity.
