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In lower than a month, the galaxy far, distant returns to Disney+ with Star Wars: Andor. The 12-episode first season sees the return of Diego Luna’s Cassian Andor, shining a lightweight on the early days of the person who would change into a hero of the Revolt in Rogue One.
Lucasfilm has a trio of prequels on their fingers, as Andor is to Rogue One what the spin-off movie is to A New Hope – it can simply take a bit of longer for the present to resolve itself. Season 1 will embody a 12 months of Cassian’s life within the Star Wars timeline, and Season 2 will observe up with a dozen extra episodes, with 4 arcs of three happening over one 12 months apiece till the present leads proper into Rogue One.
With a lot Star Wars content material accessible from completely different pockets of the timeline, the place issues fall into place can get complicated for viewers. The canon is all interconnected, a lot in order that it is virtually obligatory to see or learn sure issues earlier than diving into one thing new. As such, producer Tony Gilroy was naturally requested what audiences ought to watch to organize for Andor. Given who the challenge is aimed towards, the reply is surprisingly easy: nothing.
Andor Star and Producer Speak New Sequence

Through the press convention for Star Wars: Andor, showrunner and producer Tony Gilroy said that diehard followers are the group’s “corridor card:”
“Nicely, look, I imply there’s no secret, the present exists due to the vital, passionate Star Wars group. And I do know it’s not a monolithic group, however there’s many various variations and factions inside it, however there’s this big devoted Star Wars group that reveals up for all. And so they have been… That’s our corridor card. That’s what gave us the cash, and the momentum, and the flexibility to make a present that’s this insanely large…”
The important thing for Gilroy was bringing one thing “fully completely different” to the desk in an “uncynical vogue:”
“That viewers is our major concern and we wish to convey one thing to them that could be a fully completely different lane than what we’ve had earlier than, however we’re doing it in a very uncynical vogue. There’s nothing cynical about our present…”
Gilroy’s purpose has been to make one thing that feels “actual” to each the Andor artistic group and Star Wars followers:
“The phrase we use increasingly more on daily basis, and I used to be at Pinewood at present prepping for [Season] 2, is ‘actual.’ We wanna make this actual. This place is actual to us. And we are going to convey a number of issues to that group that we hope they’re actually excited by, and we hope they actually recognize it, and we hope they actually recognize the fervour that we’ve tried to make it actual.”
With the passionate followers already well-versed in Star Wars, a purpose for Andor is serving as an “entry level” into the franchise that “doesn’t require any prior information in any way” for brand new audiences:
“And on the identical time, there’s no secret; their associate, their boss, their girlfriend, their boyfriend, their mom, their father, there are so much folks which are Star Wars-adjacent or Star Wars-averse. And it’s best to have the ability to be careful present… This may very well be your entry level to Star Wars. You would watch our 24 episodes, that may very well be your method in. We’re doing a present that doesn’t require any prior information whatsover to become involved…”
There is a danger in telling a narrative extra geared in the direction of those that eat, sleep, and breathe Star Wars, however Gilroy hopes Andor‘s themes and drama can “appeal to one other viewers” as properly:
“And that’s the gamble. Can we fulfill, and electrify, and excite the devoted followers and might we, on the identical time, convey one thing that’s so intense emotionally, and appears so true, and the smallest home dramas, and the smallest interpersonal relationships which are dropped down within the midst of the epic, tectonic, revolutionary, historic moments the place folks should make big selections. Can we appeal to one other viewers that’s excited by that as properly? Can we marry these two issues collectively? That’s what we’re making an attempt to do.”
Diego Luna spoke on the completely different Cassian Andor seen at first of the collection, describing the character’s journey as proof that “anybody can do one thing” to enhance the world:
“I feel it’s, ‘How far can somebody be from studying he may very well be a device of change… how far are you able to be from that and nonetheless discover your method into acknowledging that you’re able to large stuff,’ ? It was that… You see [Cassian] within the first episode and also you don’t see any chance of that occuring. That, to me, provides me hope, , on the planet we reside. If that’s potential, anybody can do one thing. We will all discover what we’re able to… “
Cassian’s life is outlined by his ache and cynicism, and Luna needed to painting an individual who will get “the readability of somebody who all of the sudden begins” to look in the direction of a greater life:
“And I at all times considered him as a personality that has been compelled to maneuver. Due to this fact, he brings a ache that he’s carrying that’s making him very cynical about life, ? And exploring that particular person after which discovering a technique to get the readability of somebody who all of the sudden begins believing, who goes via a technique of acknowledging that articulating one thing in group can provide you adequate energy to be helpful and to convey change.”
The actor “at all times noticed potential” in Andor, because it tells a narrative that “issues at present on the planet we reside in:”
“I assumed that story issues an excessive amount of. It’s a narrative that I want to inform to my youngsters… to my mates. It’s a narrative I’d wish to see as an viewers… Due to the place we reside in, I at all times assume, and once more, that’s why he should be so actual, as a result of it doesn’t matter that we fake to be in a galaxy far, distant. This story issues at present on the planet we reside in, ? In any other case, I wouldn’t care. And I at all times noticed this potential on this story.”
Star Wars for the Followers
It may be argued that Rogue One is the most recent Star Wars challenge with the followers in thoughts (although The Mandalorian might be within the dialogue, as properly). The spin-off movie is ripe with distinctive settings and creatures, deep lore references, and heavy ties to George Lucas’ themes of hope in opposition to an Empire. To see its prequel Andor following the identical path should not be stunning, although it is a welcome strategy for diehards.
Gilroy’s evaluation that the target market already is aware of the ins and outs of Star Wars is appropriate, making the connections to different tasks wonderful for followers whereas leaving room for brand new viewers to enter the universe – and maybe discover it additional after Andor. As soon as seen as a present that is not actually crucial, Andor is now clearly essentially the most slept-on challenge within the Disney Star Wars period, boasting a excessive price range and stellar forged bringing a Revolt to life.
Although it actually cannot damage to have seen Rogue One beforehand, new audiences might get extra out of Andor in the event that they go in blind. As Diego Luna says, Cassian shall be somebody unrecognizable at first of the present, an individual nobody would consider able to the sacrifice he makes on Scarif. Watching the character evolve over the 5 years within the timeline the present covers earlier than his last moments in Rogue One might make for a shifting expertise as new followers join with Andor.
Andor will not be a case of the MandoVerse, the place audiences who skipped The Ebook of Boba Fett shall be completely confused when The Mandalorian Season 3 comes alongside. The closest factor to a tie-in the present has earlier than Rogue One is Star Wars Rebels, however the blanks within the deteriorating relationship between Noticed Gerrera and Mon Mothma’s insurgent factions will possible be stuffed in over the course of the second season to piece issues collectively.
Most fun shall be what sort of recent take Gilroy and his group have in retailer for followers. There are numerous who will take solace within the uncynical nature of the showrunner’s strategy, as a sure movie in 2017 was perceived as doing the other… a lot to the chagrin of these supporting the franchise. The stills and pictures launched thus far have all regarded phenomenal, and with the pedigree of the collection’ writers, the primary spy thriller within the galaxy far, distant must be one thing particular.
Star Wars: Andor premieres on Wednesday, September 21 on Disney+.
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