Andor showrunner Tony Gilroy shared the “new pressure” of working on a Star Wars show in a recent live interview, and he seemed to take a swipe at Star Wars TV shows that have come before. Andor season 2 is just around the corner, set to begin releasing on Disney+ on April 22nd. Because that date is fast approaching and there are only two currently confirmed upcoming Star Wars shows, there has been plenty of focus and attention on the second and final season of Andor.
During a live interview with Andor showrunner Tony Gilroy and several cast members from Andor season 1, posted on Star Wars official YouTube page, Gilroy spoke about the need to stick the landing, and he seemed to criticize what Star Wars TV shows have done before, although he worded this statement carefully. Gilroy said:
“We also feel like, oh my god, we better not get confident, we better not be smoking our own shit here, we better, like, really… Holy crap, we put the bar down here, and we’re gonna get crushed if we don’t deliver. We’re gonna really, and we’ve seen, and we know, you see all the other shows, you see other shows where people had trouble sticking the landing, and you’re like, ‘Oh, my god, we have to,’ like, so there’s a new pressure. There’s a new pressure, but then there’s also, you do have the pride of what you did before, and you have a system that works.”
Although Gilroy backpedaled to a degree by changing “you see all the other shows,” seemingly referring to Star Wars shows, to “you see other shows,” the implications felt clear enough that he was addressing the struggles Star Wars shows have had in the past and how that has increased the pressure for Andor season 2.
Tony Gilroy Is Right: Star Wars Has Struggled To Stick The Landing
It’s No Secret That Star Wars Has Had Recent Challenges
In addition to Andor, there have been a number of new Star Wars shows in the last several years. Among them are The Acolyte, The Book of Boba Fett, Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Mandalorian, and Ahsoka, all of which have had varying degrees of success. While some of these titles represent Star Wars’ best TV shows, there has also been significant criticism and backlash to many of them. Although some of that has included vitriol, review bombing, and other issues, there are valid criticisms to be made for some of these shows.
Gilroy did not get specific when referring to shows that failed to stick the landing, and that was presumably very intentional. However, it’s true that Star Wars has struggled in this area of late, and even beloved shows like The Mandalorian have been criticized for their finales. Of course, other shows, like The Book of Boba Fett and The Acolyte, received criticism from beginning to end. While not all of it is justified, Gilroy’s assessment and concerns are accurate.
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Can Andor Succeed Where Other Shows Have Failed?
There’s A Lot Riding On Andor Season 2, But We Are Confident It Will Pull This Off
Although Gilroy is correct that there’s plenty at stake for Andor season 2, I’m not all that worried that the show won’t pull it off. It has to be said that, in this franchise, there will always be some degree of backlash—that’s sadly just unavoidable. However, in terms of successfully telling the story and doing these characters justice, I have every confidence that Andor season 2 will pull this off brilliantly.
Season 1 was already a stunning continuation of the Rogue One: A Star Wars Story plot, and it remained compelling not only while it explored the story of Cassian Andor but also when introducing brand-new characters. As Andor season 2 will run right up until Rogue One in terms of the timeline, it’s certain to only be even more captivating. Although Tony Gilroy’s comments suggest he has some criticisms of Star Wars’ recent shows, they only make me all the more excited to see Andor season 2.
Andor
10/10
- Release Date
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September 21, 2022
- Network
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Disney+
- Showrunner
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Tony Gilroy
- Directors
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Susanna White
- Writers
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Dan Gilroy