Disney’s Andor: Secretly Celebrating Stalin’s Reign?

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The article by BBC suggests that Disney’s gritty “Star Wars” series, “Andor,” might not only have drawn inspiration from history but could also have subtly replicated the early deeds of one of the 20th century’s most notorious political figures – Joseph Stalin, indeed.

The origin of Andor’s heist arc is traced in an extensive BBC feature, revealing that it draws heavily on the 1907 Tiflis bank robbery. In this real-life event, Cassian Andor and a group of rebels (loosely based on the Bolshevik revolutionaries) executed a daring heist to steal a large amount of money from an Imperial garrison on the planet Aldhani. Interestingly, this plot is directly modeled after the chaotic bank robbery carried out by young Ioseb Jughashvili, who would later become famous as Joseph Stalin.

The significant heist took place in Yerevan Square, which is present-day Tbilisi, Georgia. Stalin’s team set off explosives, created distractions, and made off with a vast amount of money meant for the Russian State Bank. As reported by the BBC, this operation resulted in extensive damage and financed revolutionary activities for years to come. Notably, the events depicted in ‘Andor’s’ Aldhani arc bear striking similarities to this historical event. In fact, the creator of Andor, Tony Gilroy, has openly acknowledged this connection.

In a 2022 interview with Rolling Stone, Gilroy stated, “Doesn’t young Stalin seem stylish, almost like Diego Luna? This is in reference to Diego Luna, the actor portraying Cassian Andor.

As a film critic, I found myself utterly captivated by Gilroy’s latest masterpiece. It wasn’t mere coincidence that the film’s aesthetic resonated so deeply with me; it seems that the director drew significant inspiration from Simon Sebag Montefiore’s book, “Young Stalin.” Gilroy went as far as to call the work “amazing,” and I wholeheartedly concur.

One particular scene – the Tiflis heist sequence – left an indelible impression on me. It was nothing short of an “incredible movie sequence,” a testament to Gilroy’s storytelling prowess. The way he wove historical facts and dramatic flair into this scene made it stand out among the rest, and I eagerly await more such moments in his future works.

Montefiore himself shared with the BBC that he hadn’t anticipated his historical research would be relevant to a “Star Wars” series, yet he pointed out striking parallels between Stalin and Andor: a seemingly ordinary individual from humble beginnings, harboring a revolutionary spirit and a mission against an expansive empire.

This opens up a broader debate: is Andor serving as a vehicle for ideological expression? Although it doesn’t overtly propagate, its core narrative draws heavily from actual revolutionary strategies and personalities. For instance, Luthen Rael, portrayed by Stellan Skarsgård, resembles Vladimir Lenin in some aspects. He is a wealthy figure with unyielding determination, orchestrating rebellion and willing to make sacrifices for his objectives. As the BBC suggests, Luthen could be seen as a stand-in for Lenin, who gained power by getting his hands dirty, ultimately empowering figures like Stalin.

In my opinion, when a Disney+ series like ‘Andor’ envelops characters in moral complexity and minimizes their historical roots, it presents a form of rebellion that strongly resembles the emergence of authoritarian revolutionaries. Gilroy doesn’t shy away from subtlety; instead, he reinterprets history, transforming questionable tactics into heroic resistance.

It’s interesting to consider what drew the creators of Andor, along with Disney and Lucasfilm, to find Stalin’s narrative not just suitable, but inspiring.

Here, the issue arises where selective recall becomes evident. Some historical accounts are handled with sensitivity and artistic touch, while others are universally criticized. Interestingly, when a corporation such as Disney, which maintains its image as family-oriented, constructs one of its most acclaimed mature tales based on the early wrongdoings of a future Soviet ruler, it suggests not only a daring creative move but also a comfortable ideological standpoint.

The BBC’s investigation is not a negative or biased portrayal; instead, it presents facts accurately. Gilroy, who is passionate about historical research and has been reading non-fiction books almost exclusively for the past 15 years, reflects this enthusiasm in Andor‘s realistic portrayal. Critics have commended its realism, but that realism comes at a price as the show starts to echo not only the structure of revolutions but also the mentality that justifies them.

The series portrays a system so deeply corrupted and exploitative that actions taken against it seem justified, including sabotage, manipulation, and betrayal. However, these methods are often misused in real life to establish totalitarian regimes. For instance, Stalin didn’t come to power by himself—he gained his position through a revolution that was based on similar tactics as those celebrated in the series Andor.

In the concluding episodes of Andor‘s inaugural season, there are hints at its intricate nature. Luthen admits that he’s given up everything—his soul, his life, his integrity—for a dawn he may never witness. It’s beautiful, it’s potent. But it’s also haunting. This is because history teaches us about the events that usually follow such sunrises. So, we wonder what lies ahead, after the revolution has triumphed.

Essentially, what the show Andor makes us ponder is this: Is every act of rebellion justified? Or could we be too quick to applaud a story that might require more careful consideration?

Due to the BBC’s latest findings, we have discovered the source of inspiration. Now, the question arises: is it something we should celebrate?

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2025-04-29 18:59