Tony Gilroy, the creator of the Star Wars series Andor, expressed genuine excitement shortly after the show earned 14 Emmy nominations, marking a significant achievement for the series’ final season. He acknowledged the challenge of finding new words to describe his emotions, highlighting the unique satisfaction of receiving acclaim for both executive producing and songwriting.
The second season of Andor, set during the five years before 2016’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, surpassed even prominent contenders like The Bear in Emmy attention, signaling its strong impact within Disney’s extensive Star Wars franchise.
Tony Gilroy’s Dual Emmy Nods Demonstrate Versatility
Gilroy received two distinct nominations: one as an executive producer for Outstanding Drama Series and another for Original Music and Lyrics for the song
“We are the Ghor (Planetary Anthem)”
featured in the episode Who Are You? Reflecting on this unusual combination, he said,
“There’s been a lot of amusement on the on our texts today about that. But yes, it does please me greatly that I’m nominated as a songwriter. It’s very amazing and pleasing. I want to win now,”
emphasizing both pride and anticipation for the awards.
Surprising Acting Nomination Omissions in ‘Andor’
Despite the series’ overall acclaim, the acting nominations were notably sparse, with only Forest Whitaker and Alan Tudyk among the nominees. Whitaker plays Saw Gerrera, a resolute Rebel leader, while Tudyk was recognized for his performance capture of K-2SO, the loyalty-programmed droid.
Many outstanding performances from the cast were overlooked by Emmy voters, including Diego Luna as Cassian Andor, Stellan Skarsgård as Luthen Rael, Adria Arjona portraying Bix Caleen, and Genevieve O’Reilly depicting Mon Mothma, a pivotal figure given expanded depth in this series. Gilroy remarked on this discrepancy, emphasizing the high caliber of acting throughout the show’s ensemble.
Gilroy Reflects on the Depth and Craft of ‘Andor’s’ Performances
Discussing the series’ storytelling goals, Gilroy explained that the cast’s collective performances were crafted to be accessible even to viewers unfamiliar with Star Wars lore. He stated,
“We worked as hard as we could work. We had a couple messages that we were really trying to sell for a couple months – one was that you don’t have to know anything about ‘Star Wars’ to watch the show. Yeah. Another one is, we have a dozen performances in our show that are not just dazzling moment-to-moment, but really have a substantial arc and foundation to them,”
underlining the depth each character brought to the narrative.
Understanding the Emmy Voting Process and Its Challenges
Gilroy revealed he participated in an extensive discussion about the Emmy Awards process and voting tendencies but admitted much still remains unclear to him. He commented,
“It’s a complicated process but I don’t understand it,”
conveying a sense of bemusement despite the insider knowledge. Nevertheless, he remains thankful for the work his team accomplished, confident that the show’s performances will leave a lasting impression.
“I do think that there’s a bunch of performances in here that people are going to be talking about and discussing and thinking about for decades to come. I think that will be a victory,”
he added.
‘Andor’s’ Impact Beyond Television Screens
The influence of Andor extended into real-world events, notably during the #NoKingsDay protests, where participants carried signs inspired by the series and displayed Rebel symbolism. Gilroy acknowledged the bittersweet nature of this connection, saying,
“I wish people didn’t have to have those signs and I wish we didn’t have to go out and do all that. But it’s, I can’t lie and say that it doesn’t feel good when I see it,”
and further shared,
“It’s really easy to feel disconnected right now. I have access to more connection, just on a daily basis, than a lot of people get in a month, and even I feel disconnected. And so to go out and see that and feel like you’re part of something, like you’re not losing your mind.”
Looking Ahead: Gilroy’s Return to Film with ‘Behemoth!’
Tony Gilroy is preparing to return to feature film directing with his new project, Behemoth!, starring Oscar Isaac as a cellist. This marks Gilroy’s first directorial effort since The Bourne Legacy in 2012. Though busy with preparations, Gilroy admitted mixed feelings about stepping back into the director’s role, acknowledging,
“It’s good to be afraid. I am always afraid,”
and,
“In the making of the things, if you’re not anxious along the way, you’re doing something wrong.”
Collaborators from ‘Andor’ Reunite for New Film Project
Several key contributors from Andor will join Gilroy in bringing Behemoth! to life, including producer John Gilroy, executive producer Sanne Wohlenberg, and cinematographer Damián García. Gilroy emphasized his intent to carry forward the production methods developed during Andor, describing a workflow centered on constant communication and prompt problem-solving. He explained,
“the workflow and how we how we don’t let anything fester for more than a moment, how we deal with everything as it comes in and how everybody knows everything.”
He called it a
“highly communicative, spiritual approach to making things,”
expressing confidence that this collaborative system will benefit all future projects.
“How to make things with other people are lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life, no matter what I’m making,”
Gilroy concluded.
A Playful Offer for a New Anthem
In a lighter moment, Gilroy humorously offered his talents to anyone dissatisfied with their national anthem, joking,
“Anybody who’s tired of their national anthem, I want to say that I’m available,”
highlighting his unique experience as both a storyteller and songwriter.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Tony Gilroy doing next?
A. Tony Gilroy is writing a new project called Behemoth!. This is his first writing job after completing the second season of Disney and Lucasfilm’s Andor. Behemoth! will be very different from the Star Wars projects that made Gilroy popular.
Q. What did Tony Gilroy change in Rogue One?
A. People generally believe that Gilroy mainly revised the last part of the movie. He also included key scenes, such as Cassian’s meeting with the informant and eventually killing him to avoid capture.
