Tony Gilroy Hopes Andor Helps Star Wars Tell New Stories

Even before its first season was over, Andor was considered one of the best Star Wars projects in a while, and added some variety with its political and spy thriller focus, and by just taking itself seriously. With the show ending soon, creator Tony Gilroy hopes its greatest impact is inspiring  the franchise to continue diversifying.

Speaking to GamesRadar, Gilroy teased the second season would “break new ground and open up some canonical things and concepts” in such a way that future creatives “get excited to do other things.” What does he have in mind? To him, Andor could (and should) pave the way for “a [Star Wars] three-camera sitcom, or a horror movie.” He really thinks the franchise needs some spicing up, because he also recalled the first thing he said to Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy when she reached out to him: “I think I said, ‘Could you do a courtroom drama?’”

For a long time, Star Wars has primarily done stories centered on the Jedi, clones, and Mandalorians (or all three). Andor’s first season didn’t have any of that and focused on other unexplored facets of the universe—bureaucracy, the logistics of heists and prison facilities, kicking fascists and hitting them with bricks—and became a critical darling, something its trailers have happily highlighted. Outside Gilroy’s own show, Skeleton Crew is another good example of what he’s talking about, since it’s kid-focused and more of an adventure story. “We’ve made our lane, and we’ve worked really hard to make it. It’s up to other people now to find another way to do it.”

Andor’s final season begins April 22 on Disney+.

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