Despite its importance toStar Wars, the Rebel base on Yavin 4 has been largely absent from the franchise’s storytelling – and with good reason, according to current franchise mastermind Dave Filoni. First seen in the originalStar Warsmovie – later retitledA New Hope–the moon known as Yavin 4was the jungle-covered base for the Rebel Alliance, primarily in use during the Galactic Civil War. Eventually, it became the site of one of the war’s most critical battles, the result of which was the destruction of the Empire’s battle station, the Death Star.
The clash was a turning point in the conflict – so much so that the Battle of Yavin became the center point of theStar Warstimeline. Though the moon has been mentioned in a range ofStar Warscomics and novels, it’s only truly made an impact story-wise inStar Wars Rebels,Rogue One: A Star Wars StoryandA New Hope. That’s all about to change, however, as previous clips and interviews have hinted thatAndor: A Star Wars Storyseason 2, set to premiere on April 22, will finally return to this crucial Rebel base.
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Dave Filoni’s Explanation Makes So Much Sense
In 2014, when the animated seriesStar Wars Rebelswas still finding its footing, Dave Filoni did aninterview withSlashFilmdiscussing how the Ghost Crew’s small rebel cell might one day connect with the rest of the Rebel Alliance. Naturally, the subject of Yavin 4 came up. At the time, Filoni mentioned staying away from Yavin (at least for a while), reasoning,“I wouldn’t really wanna go to Yavin because I think it makes the galaxy seem so small. The more times you go there, the harder it is to believe that the Empire didn’t find them there.”
Yavin 4 needed to remain undetectable. The more the story goes back there, the greater the breadcrumb trail becomes.
ThoughStar Wars Rebelsdid eventually head to Yavin 4, as the Ghost Crew became a vital cell in the larger Rebel network, Filoni’s explanation makes sense on a wider scale, too.Yavin 4 was a secret base for a reason. As revealed byRebels, other major bases, like the one on Atollon, were eventually discovered and destroyed by the Empire. Yavin 4 needed to remain undetectable. The more the story goes back there, the greater the breadcrumb trail becomes.
Why Andor Is The Star Wars TV Show That Has GOT To Go Back To Yavin 4
ThoughStar Warshas done well not to overuse Yavin 4 as a primary storytelling location – the same can’t be said for a place like Tatooine, for instance – oneStar Warsstory coming out this year has to go back to Yavin 4. WhereAndorseason 1 set up the earliest days of the Rebellion,Andorseason 2 will instead lead straight intoRogue One(and, by extension,A New Hope). Each three-episode block will cover one year of the last four years of Cassian’s life.
During those four years, Cassian’s role in the Rebellion grew until he was eventually promoted to captain, serving as an officer in the Rebellion’s intelligence branch. As such,it’s only logical that he’ll return to Yavin 4 at least once or twice inAndorseason 2– he’ll need to relay his findings to Rebel command and participate in briefings, the same way he did inRogue One.Andor: A Star Wars Storyis the perfect place for a return to Yavin 4 inStar Wars.
2025
Andor
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Andor is a Star Wars prequel series set before the events of Rogue One, following Cassian Andor as he navigates a world of danger and deception. The series delves into his transformation into a pivotal figure in the struggle against the Galactic Empire.
