Rogue One: A Star Wars Story followed a brave team of Rebels embarking on a mission to steal the Empire's Death Star plans, and they eventually gave their lives to strike a deadly blow to Imperial forces. Cassian Andor was one of them, of course, but Diego Luna will reprise the role for Disney+'s Andor, a prequel series that reveals how he came to play such a crucial role in the Rebellion.
While Tony Gilroy was forced to pass directing duties on the show to Toby Haynes, he remains Andor's showrunner and revealed new details about the spinoff during an interview with Vanity Fair.
"This guy gave his life for the galaxy, right? I mean, he consciously, soberly, without vanity or recognition, sacrificed himself. Who does that?" the filmmaker ponders. "That’s what this first season is about. It’s about him being really revolution-averse, and cynical, and lost, and kind of a mess."
Andor begins with the destruction of Cassian's homeworld before following him into adulthood. "His adopted home will become the base of our whole first season, and we watch that place become radicalized," Gilroy teases. "Then we see another planet that’s completely taken apart in a colonial kind of way. The Empire is expanding rapidly. They’re wiping out anybody who’s in their way."
For Luna, there was a lot in Andor that resonated with him personally, hence why he reprised the role. "It’s the journey of a migrant," he says, having previously referred to the show as a "refugee story" in this conversation. "That feeling of having to move is behind this story, very profoundly and very strong. That shapes you as a person. It defines you in many ways, and what you are willing to do."
This series sounds like a fun ride and a fascinating glimpse into what made Cassian Andor a Rebel willing to give his life for the cause. With any luck, a trailer for the show isn't too far off.
The site notes that Andor is expected to arrive on Disney+ over the summer, and we're expecting the premiere date to be announced during Star Wars Celebration a little later this month.