Tony Gilroy has opinions about Rogue One's Jyn Erso, and according to his latest one, Andor's Vel Sartha would've disliked her.
Via ComicBook, in an interview with Empire Magazine, Gilroy was asked what Andor character he wished had been in Rogue One and he had a bold take about how Vel would view Jyn.
"I’d want Faye Marsay’s Vel there for sure. My God, think of Vel’s take on Jyn Erso! I’m sure she’d have some very choice things to say about her. Jyn would light up all of Vel’s irritation.”
Like most of Gilroy's takes on Rogue One, I disagree with his opinion that Vel, or anyone, would find Jyn Erso irritating. Gilroy didn't explain why he thinks Vel would've been irritated by Jyn. My question would be, when would Vel have found the time to be irritated? Jyn's time with the Rebel Alliance was brief, and only a few days elapsed between the start of Rogue One and her death. Vel and Jyn likely wouldn't have met, and if they had, I believe Vel would've been able to see right through Jyn as someone who fought hard to survive.
In fact, at the beginning of Rogue One, Jyn wasn't too different from Cassian at the start of Andor. Both couldn't care less about doing anything to help the Rebellion, and both were resigned to ignoring the Empire as an uncomfortable reality of life in the galaxy. Despite their initial similarities, Jyn didn't take long to wake up to the idea of defeating the Empire. Once she committed to the Rebellion, she was determined to do everything to retrieve the Death Star plans.
If Vel could tolerate and learn to respect Cassian, who often disobeyed orders and nearly quit the Rebellion until Bix left him no choice, then she has no reason to find Jyn irritating. In comparison to Cassian, Jyn was more alone and isolated. She had been abandoned multiple times throughout her life and had no friends, and when she found friends, it was too late. Cassian, however, had a stronger support system in people like Maarva, Bix, Brasso, Ruescott Melshi, and the Rebel Alliance.
Jyn was remembered for her heroism by Mon Mothma as part of the Rogue One novelization. Mothma is quoted as saying, "In a kinder universe, she would have walked away from Scarif. I cannot imagine who she would have become, but I think she would have been extraordinary." I believe Gilroy projected his dislike of Jyn Erso onto his favorite character, Vel. As for my interpretation of Vel, she was mature enough to understand that everyone has a past, but she would be impressed by Jyn's selflessness and bravery in the face of the bitter reality that her father helped build the Death Star.
I firmly believe Vel would find Jyn interesting and may have understood that she came from a troubled past, whereas Vel came from a wealthy background. Ultimately, Vel chose to dedicate her life to something bigger than herself, as did Jyn Erso. The Empire broke everyone, and I trust Vel would recognize it hasn't been easy for Jyn, just as it hasn't been easy for many members of the Rebel Alliance.
Andor is a good show, even though Tony Gilroy isn't a big fan of Rogue One or Jyn Erso. He admitted that he didn't watch it before he began working on Andor, or afterward, although he plans to. Although Gilroy would have loved to see Vel and Jyn's interaction, he chose not to have Jyn Erso appear in Andor Season 2, calling it a "lame" idea. I believe Andor would've been an excellent chance to bring her back, and I was curious to see how the Rebel Alliance tracked Jyn down before Rogue One. Unfortunately, the show didn't touch upon this idea.
Andor and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story are streaming on Disney+.
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