Tony Gilroy, the showrunner of the hit series Andor, has disclosed the remarkable extent of creative freedom he received from Disney and Lucasfilm to craft what many now consider Star Wars’ top TV show.
Andor stands out for its boots-on-the-ground approach, presenting a gritty and realistic portrayal of the early days of the Rebel Alliance’s formation. With Andor season 2 anticipated to delve deeper into this history rather than focusing solely on Cassian Andor’s origin story, it turns out Gilroy was granted ample freedom.
In the latest issue, Gilroy opened up about Andor’s creative process. He revealed that he had far more freedom than on Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. “I never got any notes on this show,” Gilroy stated, attributing this to the “critical appreciation of the show.” He further elaborated that in terms of creative notes, “no-one has come to me and said ‘No, they shouldn’t say that.'” This is quite unusual for Star Wars projects, as often even small details like character materials or terms are adjusted for galactic lingo.
Gilroy insists that his only obstacles had nothing to do with Disney and Lucasfilm directly. “Our limitations were economic and availability and production issues and Covid,” he said, “and a strike.” Beyond these factors, however, Gilroy had complete freedom over his script, enabling him to bring his unique vision to life without having to please others.
Lucasfilm’s Unusual Approach with Andor
Lucasfilm’s typical modus operandi is to have a heavy hands-on approach, ensuring consistency in terminology, appearances, and more across Star Wars movies, TV shows, and even their Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge theme parks, where employees follow specific guidelines for greetings, technology, and such. But Andor was permitted to operate somewhat independently, which had a significant impact.
The Lesson Lucasfilm Should Learn
Clearly, the takeaway from Andor is that creative freedom pays off. Allowing Gilroy to pursue his vision led to Andor becoming one of the best offerings in the Star Wars franchise, both critically and among audiences. It didn’t sacrifice its Star Wars essence in the process, demonstrating the value of trusting creators, even those with less extensive Star Wars knowledge. Ultimately, it’s Andor’s story that makes it a hit, and Lucasfilm should continue to empower storytellers as Gilroy was empowered.
Andor season 2 is set to premiere on April 22 on Disney+.
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