It’s a strange time for “Star Wars.” Quiet in cinemas since ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ came out in 2019, this mighty sci-fi series of his has been followed by streaming shows like ‘The Mandalorian’ and ‘The Book of Boba Fett’. I came. “Obi-Wan Kenobiold and new characters mix into the adventure, sometimes filling in gaps in the franchise’s master narrative.
The latest “Star Wars” show, “Andor” Debuting on Disney+ on September 21st, we follow the life of . Cassian Andorplayed by Diego Luna, is a Rebel spy who helps him run against the Galactic Empire in the 2016 film Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, eventually turning him into a spy. along the turbulent trajectory that leads to the desperate deeds of
At least initially, ‘Andor’ is more concerned with the details of everyday life on a distant planet (the Byzantine bureaucracy required to run the galaxy and the conflicts that arise) than lightsaber duels and gratuitous cameos. It is a program with in these organizations. Rapidly filling the world with a multitude of characters who don’t easily fall into the black-and-white categorization of good guys and bad guys, it plans to run a substantial (of the “Star Wars” series) 24 episodes over two seasons.
The freedom that “Andor” has to follow its own idiosyncratic muse is largely due to its creator, Tony Gilroy. Gilroy, 66, is the writer and director of thrillers such as ‘Michael Clayton’ and has also been the screenwriter for several Jason Bourne films, including the fourth he directed, ‘The Bourne Legacy’. He was also a savior when ‘Rogue One’ threatened to go awry, rewriting the script and Reportedly overseeing reshoots and editing(Gareth Edwards is officially credited as the film’s director, and Gilroy shares screenplay credits with Chris Weitz.)
‘Andor’ is another ‘Star Wars’ entry where Gilroy’s involvement went from peripheral to essential, and the series returns to some characters and ideas from ‘Rogue One’ But he sees it as more than just a prequel series.
“We’re really building it from the ground up,” Gilroy said in a video interview in August.
Gilroy also talked about making “Andor,” what he learned about “Star Wars” from these projects, and why running a streaming TV series is like commanding an aircraft carrier. This is an edited excerpt from
How did you get into ‘Rogue One’ and what did you learn about ‘Star Wars’ from that experience?
I’ll tiptoe a little bit about that. Before starting filming, they were looking for some rewrites.my father [Frank D. Gilroy, the Pulitzer Prize-winning dramatist] Since he was dead at the time, I had limited time to help them. So I worked on it for about a month to freshen it up, and then I didn’t think much about it for months. And when I got back they had some issues that they had to deal with. It took 10 months for everyone to put it together hand in hand. My learning curve in the Star Wars universe was very steep. [Laughs.] And when we finished, it was such an exciting ride and everyone was so euphoric about the possibilities of what we could do next.
What did you think you could do with ‘Star Wars’?
It really is the host organism for everything. After “Rogue,” she remembers having a conversation with Kathy, along with all the endorphins she had in the air at that moment. [the Lucasfilm president, Kathleen Kennedy], and she said, “We can do anything.” I say I’d like to play “Inherit the Wind” from “Star Wars”, but is it possible? ’ And my God, we could. We could do a hospital show in “Star Wars.” How many beings are there in that galaxy? Plumbers, farmers, anesthesiologists all have lives. Is it a real place or fake? Real places can be real. Then there is the added benefit of the audience.
Some of the films you are best known for are deeply human and decidedly down to earth.
Experience on the show is an imaginative maximalist of the highest order. It goes into characters, actions and plots that are as intricate and realistic as anything I’ve ever done. Sticking around and maintaining a fan base — well, it’s hard to please everyone.
It is a true education in itself. The fanbase seems monolithic at first, but as time goes on, you start to realize that Shias and Sunnis are everywhere. But I’m not writing off with this show. I am writing at the top of what I can do.
Your involvement in ‘Andor’ wasn’t a direct carryover from ‘Rogue One’. how did that happen?
There was a moment when they completed “Rogue” that they thought all these things were possible. They had a few speed bumps with ‘Solo’ and everything that happened there that interrupted them a bit. [The Han Solo prequel, released in summer 2018 after a tumultuous production, was a box-office disappointment.] But when they came back, I said, ‘I want to do a show about Cassian Andor. They commissioned a pilot, but Kathy was vague about it and sent it to me.
What notes or suggestions did you give Lucasfilm about the pages they sent you at the time?
I found a note from 4 years ago that basically said: K-2SO Raid on the Citadel — I don’t think 20 episodes can do that. I wrote an entire manifesto in a manic blitzkrieg. “This is the show you should do,” I said. I sent it to Cathy.they tried something else [approach]When it fell apart, they read this memo again and suddenly what seemed insane two years ago started to look good. That note is the show we’re making.
[Asked to confirm the timeline and development process that Gilroy described, Kennedy said in a statement: “Tony Gilroy has given us the story ‘Star Wars’ has been looking for. Tony’s ability to construct gripping characters with edge of your seat tension and action is unsurpassed.”]
How would you describe your vision for the series?
When you meet this character in Rogue One, there are few navigation points. He says he has been participating in this fight since he was six years old. He kills a reliable source in the film’s opening scene. His history is dark, unenthusiastic, and with completely open compassion, he gives his life to save the galaxy. You’re a very attractive person. How much can you see that person is built? In the first episode, he goes from complete chaos to the first steps on the road to Damascus becoming a mercenary. By the end of this first half, he will have been exposed to many reasons for rebellion. The second half of the show is about him being a revolutionary.
From what I’ve seen so far, ‘Andor’ makes no apparent effort to include characters from the marquee ‘Star Wars’ or mention their exploits. mosquito?
Like I said, galaxies are huge. It’s like trying to tell the whole history of 20th century England with “The Crown” alone. “Oh, there’s only this royal family, these seven, their lineage, and who they are.” [expletive] – It’s all that matters. “We don’t do business with the ‘Star Wars’ royal family. When we bring back a legacy character, or touch something familiar, we don’t want to do it in a way that could be perceived as fanservice.
Are you thinking about how your choices as a writer will reach an audience that is familiar with this fantasy world and has spent a lot of time thinking about it?
That part is really powerful. Another reason I do that is because everything that comes out of my desk gets shot. has worked the same hard on everything every day for the past 40 years, and probably 80 percent of what he’s ever written (probably the best thing he’s ever written) has been thrown away over the years. It has been taken. This is not so. The first part is a 650 page shootable script and I’m in the zone. Getting older — not getting older, but I’m getting older. …
Seasoned?
I’m experienced, yeah. [Laughs.] At my age, it feels good to write. That’s exciting.
All the franchise’s energy seems to be focused on streaming TV right now, and how audiences receive ‘Andor’ will likely have a big impact on whether ‘Star Wars’ goes next. Can you feel the weight on your shoulders?
it’s nuts. It’s a big bet for them. Everyone gambles. Many people are doing something for the first time now. I don’t know how to sell 12 hours stuff. You went out and sold your movie and you knew how: this is my movie. We won’t be able to have a full conversation about this show until Thanksgiving. It’s going to put on a multi-billion dollar show. These are aircraft carriers. I command an aircraft carrier. “Lord of the Rings” is an aircraft carrier. Some of them sink and some float. Will they keep building them? I think it is necessary to continue.