Star Wars' New TV Show Copies A Classic George Lucas Trick, & That's The Secret Of Its Success
Star Wars' new TV show, Andorseason 2, is using a trick from George Lucas' playbook, and that's why it's certain to be a success among Star Wars' movies and TV shows. Andor season 2 is the next to be released of Star Wars' upcoming TV shows, and it is the long-awaited second and final season of the show. Andor season 2's place in the Star Wars timeline also means the show will lead directly into Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. This means audiences already know where the story is going.
In SFX Magazine's Andor special, it's clear that the fact that audiences know where this story ends is in part why the show works so well. As the special edition explains, "Andor's second and final season is as much about the journey as the destination," and Andor showrunner Tony Gilroy shared additional insight, saying:
"Diego put his finger on it last year when he said 'If you know where you're going, it just makes it so much easier.' ...I think a lot of people start big projects, particularly in TV, then all of a sudden it takes off and they aren't really sure where it's supposed to go. We always knew where we were going, and that was a very helpful thing."
Some may see the fact that Cassian Andor's fate is pre-determined as a negative for Andor or a limitation for the show, but Gilroy (and Cassian Andor actor Diego Luna) clearly feel just the opposite—and that's taking a page right out of George Lucas' own book.
Like Andor, The Prequels' Story Was Already Set In Stone In Many Ways
Many Story Arcs In The Prequels Already Had A Destination (And Some Had An Ending)
Because Rogue One came before Andor, certain elements (some of them rather significant) are already known about Andor season 2. For example, as Cassian dies in Rogue One, his story in Andor season 2 will already be dictated in some ways, including, most obviously, that he can't die. This is not dissimilar to the Star Wars prequel trilogy. In fact, like Andor, many of the main characters in the Star Wars prequels had fates that had already been set in stone in the original trilogy.
Among those characters are Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Yoda, all of whom die in the original trilogy. Likewise, Anakin was doomed to fall to the dark side of the Force, although the exact steps along Anakin Skywalker's Star Wars timeline in terms of his fall weren't entirely known. However, far from detracting from the prequels, this knowledge about what would happen to these characters eventually made the events of the prequel trilogy so much more affecting.
If You Liked Rogue One, You're Going To Love Star Wars' New TV Show: Andor Season 2's Marketing Is A Promise From Disney
Star Wars' new TV show continues to promise direct connections to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story—one of Star Wars' best movies—and we can't wait.
The Original Trilogy Didn't Ruin The Prequels—It Made Them Better
Like The Prequel Trilogy, Andor Season 2 Is Enhanced By Rogue One, Not Limited By It
Just like with the prequel trilogy, knowing where Cassian Andor's story, and other stories in Andor season 2, go in Rogue One and beyond will actually improve this final season. Rather than ruining this storyline, knowing the 'ending' will only make it so much more meaningful to see what the final years of Cassian's life entailed. Like Gilroy and Luna both voiced, Rogue One gave them a clear direction, and Andor season 2 is just filling in the fascinating details and providing essential context.
This also proves Star Wars doesn't need a twist or shocking ending to make a story work, which demonstrates how solid the writing in this franchise can be. Arguably, too often stories rely on a plot twist to make a show or movie feel exciting. Star Wars has consistently shown, in the prequels, in Andor, and in other projects, that there are ways to build excitement other than just twists and surprises. Andor season 2 is therefore using one of George Lucas' best Star Wars tricks, and it's in part why I'm so thrilled about the show.
Andor season 2 premieres on Disney+ on April 22, 2025
Source: SFX Magazine
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