Star Warscreator George Lucas has more to do withAndor’s success and critical acclaim than you might think. In some ways,Andorfeels different from any otherStar Warsmediaever created. Though it’s built on an essentialStar Warsstory – Rebellion vs. Empire – it’s grittier, more mature, and more forthright thanStar Wars’previous movies and shows. The franchise has always been inherently political, as George Lucas intended, but no otherStar Warsstory has ever felt quite so overtly radical, and it’s all the better because of that.
Showrunner Tony Gilroy has previously confirmed that, despiteAndor’s immense budget, he dealt with very little narrative oversight from Disney and Lucasfilm. The overall look and feel had to be consistent withStar Wars, of course, and certain story beats needed to remain close (enough) to the franchise’s established timeline, butGilroy’s approach toAndorfeels a lot like George Lucas’. Yes, continuity matters, but the story matters more.
Tony Gilroy’s Approach To Star Wars Is Very Similar To George Lucas'
When George Lucas first pitchedStar Warsto studio executives, he was met with little fanfare. Yet he persisted, believing in his vision and the galaxy he created. The results, of course, speak for themselves. With a modest budget and a special effects team hidden in a run-of-the-mill warehouse, Lucas and his crew created one of the most beloved movies and franchises of all time.Every minute detail and every design mattered. Those intricate choices madeStar Wars’world feel lived-in and magical.It made the galaxy feel tangible.
Gilroy employed a similar approach duringAndor’s production. Every single detail had a reason for being included, whether it was something said within the dialogue – Mon Mothma’s steadfast use of the word“genocide”during her Imperial Senate speech comes to mind – or a piece of storytelling, like Nemik’s manifesto. He was also set on using practical sets and location shoots, unlike some of the otherStar Warslive-action shows, and the result is one of the most beautifulStar Warsproductions to date.
Decisive Storytelling Makes For Higher Quality Star Wars Stories
Much like Lucas,Gilroy didn’t treatStar Warscanon like an untouchable bible, either. The Darth Vader twist wasn’t planned from the beginning, nor was Leia being Luke’s sister a firm fact from the start. Lucas allowed the story to progress and develop naturally. Sometimes, to create the best narrative, a storyteller needs to be able to bend and manipulate what came before. That doesn’t mean they should outright ignore everything else, but there needs to be a certain level of freedom.
Gilroy realized that pandering to canon is limiting, too. Certain plot points withinAndordo not 100% line up with what was established inRogue One: A Star Wars StoryorStar Wars Rebels, and that’s okay.Mon Mothma’s speech in the wake of the Ghorman Massacreand her escape from Coruscant don’t completely mesh with her story inStar Wars Rebels, for instance, but Gilroy left enough up to interpretation thatMon’s experience withStar Wars Rebels’Ghost Crewhasn’t been entirely rewritten. They work in tandem, and both give us a better idea of Mon Mothma’s character.
Can you imagine if Gilroy and Co. hadn’t been allowed to rework that part of Mon’s journey? We never would have gotten that incredible speech in the Senate, and we never would have seen her share the screen with Cassian Andor, either. That would have been a tragedy.
Retconning Can Be Controversial, But Creators Can’t Limit Themselves
Yes, retconning canon can be controversial, butStar Warshas been doing it for decades. Stories that are canon within the comics and novels are often overwritten on screen, so it stands to reason that some on-screen stories can be manipulated and changed to suit the current narrative, too. If it works inAndor, why not elsewhere?
Andoris a perfect example of how to work with canon, rather than be tied down by it.
Star Warsis a sprawling, epic franchise. If it wants its storytelling to remain relevant and exciting, andif Lucasfilm wants to entice interesting creators to tell the stories that are most important to them, it can’t always allow itself to be bogged down by the smaller details. Tony Gilroy’sAndoris a perfect example of how to work with canon, rather than be tied down by it.
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Ahsokaseason 2 (live-action)
