We’ll Never Get Another Star Wars Show Like Andor, But Not Because of Dave Filoni

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As Yoda famously said, the future is always changing, and that’s definitely been the case with Star Wars recently. A major shift just happened: Kathleen Kennedy is leaving her position as president of Lucasfilm, and will be replaced by co-presidents Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan. Predictably, the reaction from fans has been mixed, with a lot of discussion – and debate – focusing on Dave Filoni, who will now be largely responsible for the creative direction of the franchise. Some of the criticism and praise are valid, but not all of it.

According to The Wrap, one of the biggest successes during Kennedy’s leadership at Lucasfilm was the critically praised Andor series. However, a source inside Lucasfilm claimed that Dave Filoni didn’t actually like the show. Lucasfilm has refuted this, and Filoni has publicly praised Andor. Still, rumors of his reservations about the more mature direction of Star Wars television have persisted for years. Darren Mooney offered a particularly insightful observation in light of Lucasfilm’s denials.

Honestly, what would really get me excited is if he greenlit a show like “Andor” right away. It would be amazing to have something of that quality coming out, and it would prove he’s serious about delivering great content. We just need something like “Andor” to show us what he’s capable of!

— Darren Mooney (@Darren_Mooney) January 17, 2026

But will this happen? And if it doesn’t… is it actually Dave Filoni’s fault in the first place?

The Streaming Industry Has Totally Changed

Tony Gilroy, the creator of the show Andor, thinks a series like it will be impossible to make again. He clarified to Empire Magazine that this isn’t due to the show’s quality, but rather the unique combination of its large scale, practical effects, and the financial backing it received. Gilroy later explained at the ATX Television Festival in June 2025 that securing the show’s substantial $650 million budget required a significant effort on his part.

We’ve grown accustomed to the huge costs of making streaming TV shows, but around 2025, the golden age of streaming seemed to end. Writer and director Gilroy remembers a Disney executive simply stating that “streaming is dead.” Others share this view; the creators of Stranger Things described their show as a unique success, unsure if they’ll have many more chances to create stories on such a large scale. Stranger Things helped define the peak of streaming when it launched in 2026, and its final season feels like the end of an era.

Disney’s Corporate Priorities Have Changed

This situation has another effect, making shows like Andor less likely in the future. Disney’s streaming service hasn’t been as profitable as they expected, so they’re now focusing more on releasing films in theaters. For Star Wars, this means prioritizing big-screen movies over constantly producing new TV series. It’s worth noting that Lucasfilm has filmed two new Star Wars movies recently, but currently has only one live-action TV show confirmed.

The two-year timeframe is significant. In an interview with Deadline, outgoing Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy shared that she started discussing succession planning with Disney two years prior. Shortly after, the direction of Star Wars shifted considerably: The Mandalorian & Grogu was announced in January 2024 (scheduled for release this year), Jonathan Tropper began writing Shawn Levy’s Starfighter movie in July 2024, and Simon Kinberg was tasked with developing a new trilogy in November 2024. This clearly indicates a plan was in motion to establish a strong pipeline of projects for the next leaders, with a focus on films released in theaters.

It’s Unlikely We’ll Ever Get Anything Like Andor Again

What makes Andor stand out is how perfectly everything came together – a clear creative vision, strong writing, a well-chosen cast, and a generous budget. The show’s length as a TV series is crucial, allowing characters to develop naturally and feel authentic, which makes the story much more powerful. Though films can occasionally achieve this level of depth, it’s far more challenging due to their shorter runtime.

Andor is a prime example of the incredible potential of streaming during its golden age. It’s somewhat disheartening, though, because we likely could have seen many more shows of that quality if studios had prioritized creative risks. As the Duffer brothers put it, Andor was a rare and special case – a true stroke of genius. It’s a series that may never be replicated, and perhaps Star Wars will never again see its equal, simply because the conditions that allowed it to happen no longer exist in the entertainment industry.

Just because some Star Wars films and shows haven’t been great doesn’t mean we should expect that to continue. There’s reason to be hopeful about the future, as Dave Filoni and Kathleen Kennedy seem like a strong team, and Filoni has always valued working with others and not imposing his own vision. However, Andor will probably remain the best Star Wars project Disney produces, possibly for a very long time.

Did Lucasfilm make the right decision? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-01-17 18:11