Everybody gets dragged into doing something they might not be particularly fond of from time to time. But it takes a stalwart mind and spirit to use this sort of situation as a means to enrich one's own artistic vision. But what happens when this particular project just so happens to be part of Star Wars, one of the biggest and most popular franchises in existence?
Well, those curious for the answer will just have to ask Tony Gilroy. When the filmmaker co-wrote the script for unexpected war film Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, fans likely assumed that he had a particular passion for a galaxy far, far away just like they did. After all, while the movie may have its faults, it's difficult to deny that its writing is some of the best seen in recent Star Wars projects. It's gotten to the point where some fans have even been calling for a director's cut of Rogue One.
But even now that Gilroy is serving as showrunner for the upcoming Rogue One spinoff/prequel series Andor (starring Diego Luna once again as Cassian Andor), it turns out that he's not exactly a diehard devotee of the franchise in the same way as other creators like Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau. In an interview with SFX Magazine, Gilroy didn't mince words when he flat out said that he's "not a fan fan" of Star Wars. This may indicate that, while he enjoys it well enough, it's probably not on any of his top 5 lists, though he didn't elaborate on his meaning. He even went as far as to admit he consulted Wookiepedia, the online encyclopedia for any and all Star Wars lore.
However, that doesn't mean Gilroy is phoning it in. Anyone familiar with his work, which includes writing for the Bourne trilogy, should be familiar with the levels of passion he puts into his work, and he doesn't plan on stopping that now. In fact, he's going for something down-to-earth, so to speak. "Our show is about ordinary people," Gilroy said about the scope of Andor. "They're behind the scenes, they're going to build the road to the revolution. We're really in the kitchen with these people – our people are back there washing dishes, so canon might be happening off stage, but what's happening for them is something completely different. That's the overriding manifesto for our show - make it real."
Some fans may not take this news particularly well. There have been many examples of toxic Star Wars fans in recent years and even well before that, to the point where some will employ racist attacks against actors simply for existing in the franchise. Gilroy hasn't committed their cardinal sin of not being a straight, white man, so he probably shouldn't have to worry. But even so, this fandom can be volatile at the slightest provocation.
That may be unfair to say, of course, as there are also tons of Star Wars fans who welcome diversity and difference. The idea of a filmmaker focusing more on the story without the constraints of lore is certainly an enticing one. Star Wars could always use some more masterful storytelling in its ranks, and Gilroy may be the man for the job right now.
Andor will premiere its first 3 episodes on September 21st, 2022, on Disney Plus.
Source: SFX Magazine (via yunggravyintern/Reddit)