Riz Ahmed, who portrayed Bodhi Rook in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, has addressed why his character did not appear in the Disney+ series Andor, created by Tony Gilroy. Speaking in 2024 while promoting his new film Relay, Ahmed shared his understanding of the decision, noting the complexity of the show’s timeline and plot as the main reason for Bodhi Rook’s absence. The Riz Ahmed Bodhi Rook standalone movie was humorously suggested by the actor as a consolation for missing out on the Andor series.
Actor’s Comments and Tony Gilroy’s Storytelling Approach
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Ahmed revealed a lighthearted conversation with Tony Gilroy about the missed opportunity. He jokingly asked,
“Does that mean I’m getting a Bodhi Rook standalone movie [instead]?”
while acknowledging the careful planning Gilroy applied to the series. Ahmed appreciated how Gilroy’s intricate plotting meant adding his character would disrupt the carefully structured timeline. Nonetheless, he expressed his admiration for what has been achieved in Andor and stated he would not want it changed.
I actually brought this up with Tony, jokingly. I was like, ‘Does that mean I’m getting a Bodhi Rook standalone movie [instead]?’”
—Riz Ahmed, Actor
But he’s got such an intricate way of plotting things, and he felt that bringing my character in would mess with timelines and the way he’d plotted lots of stuff through. But as a fan, I think ‘Andor’ is kind of perfect, so I wouldn’t mess with it or have it any other way.
—Riz Ahmed, Actor
Other Returning Characters and Star Wars Developments
Several other actors reprised their roles from Rogue One in Andor, including Genevieve O’Reilly, Forest Whitaker, Ben Mendelsohn, Duncan Pow, and Alan Tudyk. The series centered around Diego Luna’s character, building on the original film’s storyline. Meanwhile, other Star Wars actors have shown interest in returning to related projects; Ewan McGregor expressed a desire to appear in a potential third season of Andor to reprise his role as Obi-Wan Kenobi, though no such season is confirmed.
The Star Wars live-action universe continues to expand with films like Jon Favreau’s The Mandalorian & Grogu already completed, as well as Shawn Levy’s upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter featuring Ryan Gosling, currently in production. In addition, streaming series such as Dave Filoni’s Ahsoka have been renewed, promising more content tied to the Mandalorian storyline.
Significance and Future Possibilities for Bodhi Rook’s Character
Ahmed’s comments highlight the challenge of integrating complex storylines while respecting established timelines within the Star Wars universe. While Bodhi Rook did not make it to Andor, the actor’s suggestion of a standalone film indicates ongoing interest in exploring this character further. As Lucasfilm and Disney continue to develop both cinematic and streaming projects, there remains potential for revisiting characters like Bodhi Rook in new narratives. For fans, the ongoing expansion of Star Wars stories offers many opportunities for familiar faces and new adventures.
