Andor Early Buzz: Unlike Any Star Wars Story We've Seen Before — In A Great Way

A new "Star Wars" story is upon us. "Andor," which arrives on Disney+ on September 22, 2022, is set to reunite us with a familiar character to tell a whole new story — and needless to say, fans are waiting with bated breath to see just how this fresh tale is told.

Diego Luna returns to the "Star Wars" universe to reprise his role as Cassian Andor, taking place in the five years leading up to the 2016 movie "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story." Cassian may come from humble beginnings — he is just a common thief before he joins the resistance — but his purpose is now bigger and better than he thought possible. This is the story of how he becomes an integral part of a Rebel Alliance that is forming to oppose the tyrannical Galactic Empire.

This all begs the question: Is "Andor" a new "Star Wars" adventure worth getting involved in? The social media reactions to the series have hit the internet, and the early buzz seems to very resolutely say "yes!"

/Film reviewer Vanessa Armstrong had high praise for "Andor," which brings "Star Wars" into new, gritty territory that feels unlike anything the franchise had done before. The show "proves to the powers that be that there are rich stories to tell in the live-action 'Star Wars' universe that don't involve the Jedi or anyone with the last name Skywalker," she writes in her review.

But die-hard "Star Wars" fans will still find something to like in "Andor," she writes, adding:

The series is very much in the same galaxy as the films and shows before it. And while "Andor" might have a slower pace than fans expect, there are still action-packed moments that will have your heart rate tick up a notch or two.

But mostly, Vanessa is hopeful that "Andor" kicks open the door for new, bold storytelling in the "Star Wars" franchise. "Who knows what stories Lucasfilm could tell if they became less fearful of creating shows and movies that don't feel pressure to emulate what we've seen before," she writes.

/Film's own Ryan Scott says that the first three episodes of the show "absolutely rule" and even went as far as to call the series the "best looking 'Star Wars' show of the bunch" — one that "actually works as a show." Additionally, he noted that after being disappointed by "Obi-Wan Kenobi" and "The Book of Boba Fett" — two shows he was way more interested in at first glance — "Andor" ended up working much better for him than the previous attempts by Lucasfilm.

Oh, the embargo I agreed upon is up! First 3 eps of #Andor absolutely rule. Best looking STAR WARS show of the bunch and actually works as a show. Loved it. Even as someone who felt empty after BOBA FETT and OBI-WAN (shows I was way more excited for), this really worked for me. pic.twitter.com/oaG79b0dN2

— Ryan Scott (@RyanScottWrites) September 16, 2022

Other critics and fans had much of the same to say about the series, calling it "gritty," "mature," "dark," and praising creator Tony Gilroy's vision as well as the performances of stars Diego Luna and Stellan Skarsgård.

#Andor is unlike any @starwars story that we've ever seen before. @diegoluna_ is at the center of a stunning & dangerous world in turmoil. It's gritty, mature, and the most intelligent and well-informed story we've had to date. Tony Gilroy is a genius. pic.twitter.com/pfZwlmZ0HD

— Maggie Lovitt (@maggieofthetown) September 16, 2022

#Andor is the most mature Star Wars to date (feels akin to an HBO drama). Grounded story w/ intimate stakes & serious tone that shows a new side of the Empire. Overcomes a slowish start in first 2 eps. Stellan Skarsgård is fantastic & Diego Luna is somehow even better than in RO pic.twitter.com/9y1jWf7DSJ

— Star Wars Holocron (@sw_holocron) September 16, 2022

#Andor is the biggest departure from the #StarWars formula yet and it thrives for it! It's a dark and mature story of the start of the Rebellion – one that may not appeal to all fans. The scope and practical visuals are immense, perhaps the best-looking Disney+ original yet!

— Sam Hargrave – TheDirect.com (@ScorpioloYT) September 16, 2022

I've watched 4 episodes of #Andor & I'm loving its more simple ground-level approach. It's different from the other shows, less humor. Plays like a crime drama more than a space opera. I dug how it highlights low-level Empire leaders as it reveals a rebel alliance slowly forming pic.twitter.com/SNsBIDrhbq

— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) September 16, 2022

#Andor is incredible, one of the boldest things Star Wars has ever done. The three episode premiere is absolutely perfect, and the third episode is some of our favorite Star Wars ever. It’s thrilling, expansive, and timely.

— Skytalkers 💫 (@skytalkerspod) September 16, 2022

#Andor is NOT what I expected. It's a mix of STAR WARS UNDERWORLD and LORD OF THE FLIES, an odd pairing that works. Diego Luna, Adria Arjona, Fiona Shaw and Stellan Skarsgård give standout performances. It's action-packed, yet a slow burn and I can't wait to see how it ends. pic.twitter.com/SVqfnhnfvq

— BSL @ #TIFF22 (@bigscreenleaks) September 16, 2022

I’ve seen the first 3 eps of #Andor and I say this with the utmost conviction: this is going to be the show that gets me back into Star Wars. ANDOR introduces new, memorable characters, plus an intriguing arc for Andor. And it actually has something to say!

Ep 3 is spectacular. pic.twitter.com/6iV23ot6Na

— David Chen (@davechensky) September 16, 2022

Now that the #Andor social embargo IS lifted, I can say that it's easily the most cinematic of the Star Wars shows so far. The first three episodes should've been presented as one 90-minute episode. The breaks between are very random – but it's a great episode!

— Dan Murrell (@MurrellDan) September 16, 2022

First 4 episodes of #Andor are incredible! Cassian, Mon Mothma and the supporting characters are all strongly-acted & fantastic (especially Stellan Skarsgård’s Luthen) and the actual look of the series will take you right back to brilliant production design of ROGUE ONE. pic.twitter.com/WmNG2r40YP

— Jacob (@JacobFisherDF) September 16, 2022

The praise for "Andor" is almost unanimous, with critics and fans gushing over the memorable characters, the breathtaking production design and visuals, and the show's bold strides. While most everyone concedes that the show's pace is slow — pointing out that it takes at least three or four episodes before the show really hits its stride — it's the kind of slow burn that is intensely rewarding.

Comparisons to the show being more like a crime drama than a space opera are also intriguing — doubling down on the descriptions of "Andor" being the biggest departure from what fans expect of the "Star Wars" universe.

"Andor" was created by Tony Gilroy, who also executive produces and writes alongside his brother, Dan Gilroy (the screenwriter behind "Nightcrawler"), Stephen Schiff, and "House of Cards" creator Beau Willimon. Tony Gilroy previously worked on the script for "Rogue One" and also directed the reshoots, so he's already at home in this corner of the "Star Wars" galaxy. Luna, Kathleen Kennedy, Sanne Wohlenberg, and Michelle Rejwan will also executive produce.

Here's the official synopsis for "Andor," according to Disney+ Originals:

The "Andor" series will explore a new perspective from the Star Wars galaxy, focusing on Cassian Andor's journey to discover the difference he can make. The series brings forward the tale of the burgeoning rebellion against the Empire and how people and planets became involved. It's an era filled with danger, deception and intrigue where Cassian will embark on the path that is destined to turn him into a rebel hero.

Alongside Luna, the show stars Stellan Skarsgård, Fiona Shaw, Adria Arjona, Denise Gough, Kyle Soller, and Genevieve O'Reilly. Additionally, Forest Whittaker reprises his role as Saw Gerrara.