Tony Gilroy and the transformative impact of Andor on Star Wars has become a central topic as the acclaimed Disney+ series wraps up its run, with Gilroy himself reflecting on how his darker, more mature take may affect the franchise’s path forward. After years immersed in the galaxy far, far away, Gilroy has been publicly considering Andor’s influence and the new possibilities opened for storytelling in Star Wars.
Andor’s Gritty Legacy and Gilroy’s Departure
Fresh from his critical success with Andor, Tony Gilroy has been marking the end of an era. After reimagining Rogue One and delivering Andor, he steps back, at least for now, from further Star Wars projects, celebrating the show’s resonance with fans and the industry, and attending awards events such as those at the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills. Looking over his decade-long journey with the franchise—including six intense years consumed by this recent effort—Gilroy sees his contribution as a significant yet distinct chapter.
He described his approach as finding the right time to move on, even if it means leaving a clean slate for the next generation. As he explained, it’s important to finish a project leaving things better than he found them, acknowledging the weight of having delivered 26 hours in the Star Wars universe.
Shifting the Narrative Style of Star Wars
Traditionally, the Star Wars saga has resided within the boundaries of myth and fairy tale, but Andor took the bold step of transitioning toward allegory, echoing the kind of social commentary once embedded by George Lucas himself. Gilroy approached his task with a mandate to diverge from the established norms of the franchise, inventing new storytelling vocabularies and ethics for Andor. Instead of creating a direct challenge to existing Star Wars narratives, his intent was to broaden what is possible in the galaxy, letting Andor stand as its own innovative experiment.
Gilroy expressed discomfort when Andor is measured against other shows in the franchise, emphasizing that each installment should have its own distinct vision rather than meet a predetermined standard. He dismissed the idea that future creatives should feel obligated to merely reproduce Andor’s approach, stating the best lesson was in taking bold swings, experimenting, and discovering untapped potential in the universe.
Audience Reaction and Evolving Conversations
As the series concluded, Gilroy reflected on the scale and depth of conversation that Andor inspired. The response surpassed expectations, with audiences engaging in detailed analysis of artistic and political threads that the creators barely realized they were weaving into the story. For Gilroy and the entire community involved, the level of audience engagement was astonishing and marked a new territory for Star Wars fandom.
He mentioned the process of engaging with feedback—enjoying the honest and sometimes sprawling feedback from test screenings, while remaining wary of the pitfalls of focus groups. For Gilroy, the best value came from parsing massive amounts of social media input, selecting constructive perspectives while acknowledging the powerful, sometimes surprising, insights brought forth by passionate fans.
K-2SO, Storytelling Discipline, and Creative Restraint
One notable element of Andor’s narrative restraint involved the character K-2SO. Though there was widespread anticipation among the audience, actors, and even Lucasfilm’s leadership to explore more of the Cassian and K-2 dynamic, Gilroy insisted on holding back. Drawing from his previous experience on Rogue One, he understood how challenging it can be to weave a character like K-2SO into a broader narrative, considering the unique demands it brings to the storyline’s pacing and complexity.
By sticking to his original plan, Gilroy maintained narrative discipline, asking collaborators and fans alike to continue waiting for the right moment. He viewed K-2SO as a significant plot component, carefully deployed to maximize impact rather than overwhelm story arcs.
Behind the Scenes: Creativity Through Challenge
The production of Andor was not without its share of stress and uncertainty, particularly during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gilroy shared candidly about the anxiety he felt as the scale of the project became apparent. Working in an improvised cutting room in New York alongside his brother John, the team faced strict isolation, frequent health tests, and remote collaboration with assistants operating behind the scenes.
During these trying times, Tony Gilroy’s confidence ebbed and flowed. But as the early footage arrived, John provided decisive encouragement:
“Dude, give up. This is happening. It’s great. It’s going to be great, and start to enjoy yourself.”
—John, coconspirator. Watching the performances and dailies, Gilroy realized,
“Oh my God! Well, I’m on this ship and it’s launched and it can be really cool.”
—Tony Gilroy, Showrunner. The production ultimately emerged as a testament to creative resilience amid adversity.
Larger Meaning for Star Wars and Its Creators
Gilroy never set out to overturn existing Star Wars narratives or create direct contrasts with its other series, but rather to open up the creative runway for future projects. He describes Andor’s journey as both a personal odyssey and an invitation—to create something distinct and daring in a galaxy that has long relied on its established formulas.
By pushing boundaries, Tony Gilroy and the Andor team demonstrate how Star Wars can accommodate richer, more complex stories, inviting creators like George Lucas, Alan Tudyk, and others at Lucasfilm to consider new possibilities. As fans and collaborators dissect the transformative impact of Andor, the stage seems set for the franchise to continue evolving, shaped by the lessons and risks of Gilroy’s immersive experience.
