Tony Gilroy Discusses Challenges and Success of Andor
Tony Gilroy, the creator of the recent Star Wars series Andor, revealed that he faced some significant challenges while producing the show. During a Q&A at the ATX TV Festival, he recounted how Disney executives expressed skepticism about the streaming model, with one even claiming “streaming is dead.” This skepticism also extended to attempts to reduce the series’ hefty budget of $650 million.
Gilroy shared that securing funding for the 24-episode series was an ongoing struggle. “In other words, this is $650 million for Disney,” he remarked, underscoring the financial stakes involved. He noted that during the first season, they embraced bold themes, stating, “We said in the first season, ‘Forget the Empire.'” However, for Season 2, he faced tighter budgets and the lingering shadow of executives’ doubts.
Although Gilroy agreed to remove certain explicit lines, he largely maintained a focus on more adult themes that distinguish Andor from other entries in the Star Wars universe. Reflecting on his previous work on Rogue One, he mentioned bringing in serious discussions about complex issues, even hinting at the discomfort some themes might provoke.
A particularly contentious scene planned for Season 2 involved a rape subplot, featuring an Imperial officer attempting to assault the character played by Adria Arjona. This aspect of the plot further emphasizes the series’ serious tone, which has attracted both praise and criticism from viewers and critics alike.
In a more recent investor report, Disney’s CEO Bob Iger touted Andor as a significant success, even if viewership numbers weren’t as high as the company had hoped. He pointed to its impressive Rotten Tomatoes score as evidence of its quality, noting that the second season garnered a critical score of 97%.
Despite this positive spin, Iger acknowledged challenges, admitting that Disney needs to cut back on the volume of Star Wars and Marvel content to maintain brand integrity. The overall performance of Disney+ has been troubling, with the platform losing over a million subscribers recently, raising questions about its future.
Though Gilroy managed to navigate the challenges of getting funding for Andor, the broader struggles of Disney’s streaming service might complicate things for creators in the future.
