The show Andor continued the Star Wars tradition of exploring political corruption and the struggle against oppressive power – a theme present since the very first Star Wars film, with Darth Vader and the Empire as the corrupt authority and the rebellion as the fight for freedom. However, given today’s sensitive political climate, it became difficult to discuss these themes, even within the context of a fictional story. The creator of Andor has stated that there were limitations on what he and the cast could say while promoting the show on Disney+.
Tony Gilroy revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that he faced restrictions on discussing key themes while promoting Star Wars: Andor. The show, available on Disney+, centered on a rebellion against fascism – a core element of the original Star Wars trilogy, where the Emperor represented oppressive authority and Darth Vader enforced it. Despite this central theme, Gilroy wasn’t permitted to openly discuss the series’ anti-fascist message.
According to showrunner Tony Gilroy, they based the series’ political elements on a guide to fascism, attempting to incorporate as many of its characteristics as possible. However, Disney asked him not to use the word ‘fascism’ in promotional material for Star Wars: Andor, fearing it would cause a political backlash and overshadow the show’s story.
According to creator Tony Gilroy, he and actor Diego Luna initially handled press carefully, wanting to avoid putting anyone in a difficult position. The cast members hold diverse political beliefs, and Gilroy didn’t want anyone to feel forced to compromise their values. They developed a cautious explanation of the show’s themes, avoiding directly labeling it as fascist. Gilroy emphasized that the series was deeply researched and based on historical precedents, noting that history often repeats itself and provides context for their storytelling.
James Gunn Faced Similar Problems With Superman
It was a clever move, even if Tony Gilroy initially felt uneasy about it. Known for his work on the first three Bourne Identity films and the political thriller Michael Clayton, Gilroy consistently explores political corruption in his projects – and Star Wars: Andor was no exception. Now, free from the need to explicitly highlight the show’s themes for viewers who might miss them, he can fully express his vision without restraint.
James Gunn experienced similar criticism when his Superman movie came out last year, and Tony Gilroy noted this connection. Because Superman is an alien raised on Earth, calling him an immigrant was factually correct. However, the politically sensitive nature of the term sparked backlash, with some viewers unable to distinguish between a fictional alien immigrant and real-world immigration issues. Disney worried that Star Wars: Andor would face the same kind of debate if Gilroy openly addressed the show’s anti-fascist themes, so they asked him to tone down those elements to prevent political arguments from overshadowing the story.
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2026-02-22 01:41