Movies - TV
How Andor Creator Tony Gilroy Kept His Crew's Star Wars Fandom In Check On Set
By TYLER LLEWYN TAING
The nuanced storytelling of “Andor” about the Rebel Alliance’s beginning is a breath of fresh air in a franchise experiencing an identity crisis between the old and new. Series creator Tony Gilroy has a unique advantage with his lack of “Star Wars” fan loyalty and keeps the series rooted in emotional honesty instead of regurgitating recognizable moments from the franchise’s past.
While Gilroy may not be a “Star Wars” fanatic, some of those involved surely are, leading to the creator giving specific instructions to his cast and crew to put aside their nostalgia in service for the show’s vision. Toby Haynes, director of Episode 8, shared, “Yeah, [Tony Gilroy] was nervous about how much I love Star Wars, but I always say that I’m a dramatist first and a Star Wars fan second.”
Haynes continued, “When you see your first droid on set, you do get really excited about it, and you have to make a concerted effort to make sure it stays in the background. Tony was very clear about that.” Gilroy’s approach of not glorifying unfamiliar details makes these new introductions feel like they are already part of the world and has helped the show remain focused on storytelling.