It's a great time to be a Rebel, and as Andor Season 2 returns on April 22, Tony Gilroy is ready to reveal everything his main characters go up to the events of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Gilroy shared his feelings on the decision to make two seasons instead of 5, Syril and Deedra's sexual tension, Mon Mothma's torturous double life, Maarva's long-lasting influence, the return of K-2SO, Cassian's rise to the top, and much more.
Gilroy was asked if Orson Krennic and Jyn Erso will be a part of Season 2. As Krennic is already confirmed and new footage of Ben Mendelsohn is included in the official trailer, Gilroy's answer applies more to the question of Jyn's return. He says, "We don't really tease very much. Everything that we're gonna bring in to get to Rogue is going to be organic. There's nothing we're bringing in for fun. Or just because somebody wants to see it. It has to be germane to the story."
His answer can be interpreted one way or the other, depending on whether it's organic for Jyn to be a part of a show that leads directly to the first scene of a movie about her heroics. The last arc of Andor Season 2 can show Jyn on her journey, leading to her arrest and imprisonment. Even though Tony Gilroy isn't as secretive as someone like Jon Favreau or Dave Filoni, it's understandable if he would like to keep at least some suspense. Still, it would be great to see Jyn again for the first time since Rogue One.
Even if Jyn doesn't return in Season 2, Cassian's journey is tied to hers, and their fate is inevitable. Until then, one of Cassian's other close friends is Bix Caleen, a person he has always trusted. Once a love interest, the two might be close again this season, but GIlroy says Bix's journey is full of complications, and ultimately, she will need to choose between love and revolution.
He says, "We talked about sacrifice. What do you sacrifice on the altar of something that's grown to be really important? What if two really important things come to you at the same time?" Gilroy admits love and revolution don't mix well. Bix won't be the only character who must grapple with the choice between the two, as every romantic relationship will be put to the ultimate test.
With so much of the season centered on Cassian's growth into a Rebel leader, Gilroy sheds light on Luthen Rael, who's a guide and a teacher for Cassian along the way. For Luthen, the challenge is how to handle the Rebel Alliance's growth from a concept, into something far bigger than he imagined. Gilroy says Luthen must figure out, "How do you scale your little business that was so successful in your garage and build it out? And if your business is based on secrecy and paranoia, how hard is that to do, and how well are you going to play with others?"
Luthen will have to be open to new ideas and learn to work together with others who all have the same mission as him, but different ideas on how to achieve it. Gilroy is, of course, referring to the Rebel Alliance's growth over the four years covered this season. The scattered Alliance will go from a series of meaningless events to something much more threatening. As the Rebel threat grows, so will the Empire's increasing scrutiny, which makes it harder for people like Luthen and Mon Mothma to remain unnoticed.
As for our titular hero and his transformation from a mercenary into a revolutionary, Gilroy credits Luthen's teachings. Gilroy says, "There'll be espionage. There'll be leadership. There'll be all kinds of new educational tests for him along the way, and that will also challenge his relationship with Luthen and everyone else."
Thankfully, we all know Cassian will come through it all with flying colors and become the person he needs to be to save the galaxy from complete doom.
Andor Season 2 premieres April 22 on Disney+.