Star Wars’ Best Disney+ Show Almost Had a Big Cameo (but It Broke the Timeline)

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Fans greatly enjoyed the unique aspect that Star Wars: Andor lacked excessive fan service during its two-season run, offering a refreshing perspective for the franchise. Unlike many other installments, this critically praised series didn’t rely on nostalgia or references to earlier works, but instead provided them organically and in a way that advanced the storyline. Although Andor does reference the broader Star Wars universe, it did so in a manner that felt natural and enhanced the plot. As a prequel to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, it’s not surprising that some characters from the film appear in Andor. Showrunner Tony Gilroy initially considered introducing another familiar character, but eventually opted against doing so.

In an interview with Inverse, actor Riz Ahmed, known for his role as ex-Imperial pilot Bodhi Rook in Rogue One, shared that director Tony Gilroy considered giving him a cameo. Ahmed jokingly commented, “Thanks a lot, buddy. Everyone gets a cameo except your old friend, Riz,” to which Gilroy replied, “I did consider it, but it would have disrupted the timeline and unraveled much of the plotting.

Andor Season 2 Didn’t Need a Bodhi Rook Cameo

It’s clear why Bodhi could have been an appealing character for Gilroy to include. Before the events of “Rogue One,” he was an Imperial cargo pilot, making him a potential fit for “Andor” given its focus on the Empire. There might have been a scenario where Bodhi played a minor role, showing his reasons for defecting and working with Galen Erso. Although it would have been intriguing to see Riz Ahmed in the series, it didn’t seem necessary within Season 2’s narrative context.

In an innovative fashion, Andor Season 2 consists of distinct story arcs that are comparable to movies, each spanning over three episodes and delving into a particular event. The narrative progression leaps forward by a year in the timeline after every arc. With four years of galactic events to portray, it was crucial for the creators, led by Gilroy, to keep the story focused and show only the essential details. To incorporate Bodhi Rook, who was not central to the plot unfolding, might have felt contrived. His role would have limited screen time unless it impacted characters like Syril Karn or Dedra Meero significantly, which could have been disappointing.

In the show “Andor“, Gilroy skillfully incorporated deeper Star Wars references in a way that didn’t disrupt the storyline. Some fans might have wanted Felicity Jones to reprise her role as Jyn Erso from “Rogue One“, but including her could have upset the entire plotline, according to Gilroy. While Bodhi Rook might not have disrupted things too much, Gilroy’s reasoning is clear. The careful planning of “Andor” meant that adding unneeded details could have derailed the story. Instead, characters like Luthen Rael, Kleya Marki, Bix Caleen, and Dedra Meero were given more focus, who had their time to shine in “Rogue One“.

It’s regrettable that Tony Gilroy has concluded his work on the Star Wars franchise, as his innovative approach was invigorating. With Lucasfilm mapping out their future film projects, it would have been beneficial to have Gilroy’s creative guidance in-house, helping to propel the franchise forward. Some critics have voiced concerns about certain Star Wars productions during the Disney era focusing too much on fan service. Here’s hoping that the next generation of directors and showrunners will draw inspiration from Gilroy’s method, demonstrating that a compelling Star Wars tale can be told without relying solely on nostalgia.

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2025-08-20 18:25