Tony Gilroy’s Evolving Vision for Andor: From Five Years to a Tightly Woven Two-Season Arc
Tony Gilroy, the creative force behind the gritty and critically acclaimed Star Wars series "Andor," initially envisioned a sprawling five-season narrative. However, budgetary realities and the shifting landscape of streaming forced him to adapt, ultimately condensing the story into a two-season journey. This transition, while initially daunting, proved to be a catalyst for a more focused and impactful exploration of Cassian Andor’s transformation into a revolutionary.
Gilroy’s involvement in the Star Wars universe began with extensive reshoots for "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story." This experience provided him with a deep understanding of the franchise and its potential. When given the opportunity to develop "Andor," he aimed to explore the themes of rebellion and oppression in a more grounded and nuanced way than previous installments.
"We were filming, we were about halfway, three quarters of the way through filming season one, while I was really trying to come up with what was going to be the second season when we realized that we couldn’t do five years," Gilroy explained. The decision to shorten the series was driven by financial considerations and the changing priorities of streaming platforms.
Despite the initial setback, Gilroy found that the condensed format allowed for a more concentrated exploration of Cassian’s journey. The first season focuses on his education and gradual transformation into a revolutionary. The second season, picking up with year-long jumps between three-day periods, depicts his active participation in the burgeoning rebellion against the Empire.
The critical success of the first season played a crucial role in securing funding for the second. Audiences and critics praised the show’s mature themes, complex characters, and realistic portrayal of the rebellion’s origins. This positive reception convinced Disney to invest in the second season, ensuring the completion of Gilroy’s vision.
To refresh the audience’s memory and to attract new viewers, Lucasfilm and Disney are releasing the first three episodes of season one for free on YouTube. Furthermore, the entirety of season one is available to stream on Hulu. This will allow fans to immerse themselves in the world of "Andor" before the premiere of the second season.
The upcoming Star Wars Celebration convention in Japan is expected to feature "Andor" prominently, offering fans a glimpse into the future of the franchise. This is a pivotal moment for the series, as it seeks to solidify its place within the Star Wars canon and captivate audiences with its unique storytelling.
Gilroy acknowledges the initial "hubris and naivete" with which he approached the five-season plan. However, he believes that the consolidation ultimately resulted in a stronger and more compelling narrative. He emphasizes the creative opportunity of using time jumps to explore Cassian’s evolution and the growth of the rebellion.
"Once we got hit in the head with that, I actually think, and it sounds a little cheesy, but it’s the truth: if I was going to design this in a perfect world, I would spend one year on [Cassian’s] education and the transformation into a revolutionary," Gilroy stated. He believes that this focused approach allows for a deeper and more impactful exploration of the character’s arc.
Season one introduces viewers to a version of the Empire that is not yet fully formed. On the fringes of the galaxy, the Empire’s presence is felt through corporate security forces rather than the iconic Stormtroopers. This allows for a different perspective on the rise of authoritarianism and its impact on ordinary citizens.
Gilroy emphasizes the importance of showcasing the "nationalization of corporations" as a key element of the Empire’s expansion. This "traditionally fascist playbook" provides a nuanced understanding of the political and economic forces at play in the galaxy far, far away.
One of the most intriguing characters introduced in season one is Syril Karn, a corporate security officer obsessed with tracking down Cassian. Gilroy reveals that Karn’s character evolved organically during the writing process, rather than being conceived as a pre-determined ideological tool.
"I never thought in a big sense ever [when I’m writing]," Gilroy explained. "I never think about anything thematically, or where I want a character to go. I was like, ‘Oh, okay, let me sketch a suit. There must be someone investigating [Cassian killing two corporate cops].’ Here’s this guy, and he’s investigating. Oh my god, he could be like Javert. He could be like, an obsessive dude. Let me start with that."
Gilroy’s approach to character development is incremental, building characters "teaspoon by teaspoon by teaspoon." This allows for unexpected twists and turns, as he discovers the characters alongside the audience.
In contrast to Syril Karn, the character of Karis Nemik, a young revolutionary, was more intentionally designed to represent a specific ideology. Nemik serves as a "Trotsky" figure, introducing a dialectical perspective to Cassian’s education in rebellion.
"I should really have a Trotsky. I should really have a young Russian," Gilroy stated. "I should have a dialectic character who introduces another note to the chorus of his education."
The culmination of season one sees Cassian returning to his home planet of Ferrix for the funeral of his adoptive mother, Maarva Andor. This event brings together a diverse cast of characters, setting the stage for the conflicts and alliances that will shape the second season.
Gilroy emphasizes the importance of Ferrix as a microcosm of the larger rebellion. The planet’s environment and the actions of its inhabitants mirror Cassian’s own transformation, creating a powerful sense of connection between the character and his home.
As "Andor" enters its second and final season, it will navigate a more familiar Star Wars landscape. Iconic characters like K-2SO and Director Krennic will make appearances, and events such as the Ghorman Massacre will be explored.
"One of the responsibilities is to deliver, canonically," Gilroy said of season two. "I have a couple events I have to deal with—the Ghorman Massacre, which is a canonically mentioned event, has some confusion about it that we’re straightening out."
Despite the need to connect with established Star Wars lore, Gilroy remains committed to maintaining the show’s unique focus and tone. He emphasizes that any connections to other Star Wars material will be organic and serve the story, rather than being included for mere fan service.
"More than that, we don’t care about," Gilroy added. "We would never add anybody for fun. We’re not going to add anybody for a smile or a wink or anything like that. There’s nothing in there that’s some juicy tidbit just for the hell of it. Everything has to be organic."
Gilroy and his team approach "Andor" with a seriousness and dedication that sets it apart from other Star Wars projects. They are willing to challenge conventions and push boundaries, while remaining true to the spirit of the franchise.
