David BridgesWhen Tony Gilroy and his Andor star Diego Luna undertook the monumental challenge of compressing five years’ worth of new Star Wars lore into a thrilling three-episode annual format leading up to the pivotal events of Rogue One, they recognized the enormity of their ambition. During an insightful conversation with The Wrap, Gilroy conveyed the palpable excitement felt by everyone involved in this grand venture into Lucasfilm’s rich Star Wars universe.
“We continually anticipated potential pitfalls, thinking, ‘Surely, there must be something that will hinder us here.’ Yet, we kept waiting for a setback that never materialized,” he shared. “I meticulously crafted the beginning and end of each narrative block to establish a clear framework for the story each year. This approach allowed me to present a solid plan in the writers’ room, ensuring that no one could argue against its feasibility. From there, we built upon that foundation.”
Now that the Andor series on Disney+ has concluded and the awards season is underway, fans would likely agree that its ambitious mission has reaped significant rewards for this critically acclaimed show. Viewers were unconcerned that Andor did not directly connect with other series like The Mandalorian or Ahsoka. Gilroy was under no obligation to weave in any explicit ties that might lure audiences to those programs.
“I diligently adhered to the canon that I am required to respect while also disregarding the elements of the canon that I was permitted to overlook,” he remarked. However, this does not imply that his canon is off-limits for future projects: “I do not own the intellectual property, so the decision-makers can pursue whatever direction they choose.”
Instead, Gilroy enjoyed the freedom to bid farewell to his characters on his own terms. He explained to the trade that significant climactic moments, such as Dedra’s intense confrontation with Luthen, and Andor’s encounter with a Force healer—likely the only instance in which the mystical energy inherent in Star Wars was directly referenced—did not come together as neatly as one might presume. “There is a constant cycle of constructing and deconstructing in your mind. It’s an ongoing process that continually surprises you,” he noted, reflecting on how the series unfolded even as they completed the final scene.
“I aimed to avoid feeling like a sadist regarding the fates of these characters while still conveying a sense of hope,” he expressed, referencing the poignant moment featuring Bix alongside her and Andor’s child, gazing towards the future. For Gilroy, this represents his conclusion of involvement with Star Wars. “Genuine hope. Not the cliché, feel-good hope often found on T-shirts, but a real, substantial hope.”
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Daniel Mercer
