Andorshowrunner Tony Gilroy shared the"new pressure"of working on aStar Warsshow in a recent live interview, and he seemed to take a swipe atStar WarsTV shows that have come before.Andorseason 2is 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 confirmedupcomingStar Warsshows, there has been plenty of focus and attention on the second and final season ofAndor.
During a live interview withAndorshowrunner Tony Gilroy and several cast members fromAndorseason 1, posted onStar Warsofficial YouTube page,Gilroy spoke about the need to stick the landing, and he seemed to criticize whatStar WarsTV 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 toStar Warsshows, to"you see other shows,“the implications felt clear enough thathe was addressing the strugglesStar Warsshows have had in the past and how that has increased the pressure forAndorseason 2.
Tony Gilroy Is Right: Star Wars Has Struggled To Stick The Landing
In addition toAndor, there have been a number of newStar Warsshows in the last several years. Among them areThe Acolyte,The Book of Boba Fett,Obi-Wan Kenobi,The Mandalorian, andAhsoka, all of which have had varying degrees of success. While some of these titles representStar 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 thatStar Warshas struggled in this area of late, and even beloved shows likeThe Mandalorianhave been criticized for their finales. Of course, other shows, likeThe Book of Boba FettandThe Acolyte, received criticism from beginning to end. While not all of it is justified, Gilroy’s assessment and concerns are accurate.
Every Rogue One Character Who Could Appear In Andor Season 2, Ranked By The Chance They’ll Turn Up
Andor season 2’s story is set to lead directly into the events of Rogue One. How likely is it that the movie’s characters will make an appearance?
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 forAndorseason 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 thatAndorseason 2 will pull this off brilliantly.
Season 1 was already a stunning continuation of theRogue One: A Star Wars Storyplot, and it remained compelling not only while it explored the story of Cassian Andor but also when introducing brand-new characters. AsAndorseason 2 will run right up untilRogue Onein terms of the timeline, it’s certain to only be even more captivating. Although Tony Gilroy’s comments suggest he has some criticisms ofStar Wars’recent shows, they only make me all the more excited to seeAndorseason 2.
