In a revealing interview with Empire Magazine, Tony Gilroy, the showrunner of the critically acclaimed series Andor, shared his insights ahead of the highly anticipated premiere of the show's second season. Gilroy, known for his intricate storytelling and complex character development, expressed a strong belief that a show of Andor's scale and ambition is unlikely to be replicated in the current television landscape. He attributes much of this to the monumental success of The Mandalorian, which marked a pivotal shift within Lucasfilm towards embracing long-form storytelling.

“No one’s ever gonna start a show on this scale again, and shoot it practically, and have the resources and the protection to do something like this,” Gilroy remarked, emphasizing the unique circumstances that allowed Andor to flourish. He noted that the support they received from the upper echelons of Disney and Lucasfilm was crucial in pushing the narrative boundaries of the Star Wars universe. “We were protected all the way down the line,” he added, highlighting the collaborative environment that fostered creativity and innovation.

Gilroy also acknowledged the significant role of Kathleen Kennedy, the president of Lucasfilm, who championed the project and ensured that Andor received the backing it needed. “Kathy [Kennedy] protected us. Lucasfilm protected us. Bob Iger protected us. The audience protected us. The Mandalorian protected us. We had all these people out there backing our play,” he stated, detailing the extensive support network that bolstered their creative journey. He underscored that the success of The Mandalorian gave them a solid platform from which to launch Andor.

“Their success is what would fuel the whole thing. I mean, no Baby Yoda, no Andor. Seriously. Don’t think that we don’t know that,” Gilroy remarked, giving credit to the phenomenon of Grogu, the adorable character formerly referred to as Baby Yoda, whose immense popularity helped elevate the entire franchise. According to Gilroy, the inclusion of a character like Grogu is vital in making Star Wars accessible to a broader audience. “In order to belong to many, Star Wars has to belong to all in order for the sections of the fandom to get more of what they want,” he explained.

However, he did not shy away from addressing the toxic elements within the fandom, particularly those who attempt to create divisions among the creators and their projects. “Online, [people] try to drive a wedge all the time between us, and [Jon] Favreau and [Dave] Filoni,” Gilroy stated, calling out the negative discourse that often arises. “It’s horrible what people say; it’s terrible. And the truth is, we don’t have a show without them. They gave us the muscle to go.” His comments highlight not only the collaborative spirit behind Andor but also the importance of unity within the Star Wars community, especially as the franchise continues to evolve.