When Rogue One: A Star Wars Story first hit theaters in 2016, fans of the franchise were fascinated. Not only did the movie show the events that led up to the start of A New Hope in thrilling yet devastating ways, but it also brought back characters like Grand Moff Tarkin and Princess Leia Organa using methods Star Wars hadn't utilized before.
Then came 2022's Andor -- a live-action, 24-episode series that served as a prequel to Rogue One. Shot on location and adopting a slower pace and more sinister tone, it has become one of the most beloved shows released on Disney+ so far. Both this show and the film that directly follows it might even be the best two projects since 1977's A New Hope -- the film that started it all.
The Andor series covers a lot of ground in enriching Cassian's character and deepening the complex conflicts between the rebels and the imperials oppressing them. Even more importantly, the show takes a lot of risks that Star Wars hasn't on the small screen before, paving the way for future projects to do the same.
In Andor, audiences saw the brutality of the Empire through Bix's traumatic experience. The Ghorman Massacre and Mon Mothma's resulting speech also spoke to current events in a way many Star Wars projects wouldn't have dared to do. Now that this series has gone there, others can as well.
The combination of Andor and Rogue One now serves as a means of connection between the prequel and original Star Wars trilogies. Rogue One quite literally leads into the events of A New Hope while also explaining how those essential Death Star plans got into the hands of the rebels ... and what those responsible sacrificed in order to make that possible.
It's because of the ultimate sacrifices of the Rogue One crew that the Rebel Alliance was eventually able to triumph over the Empire. The destruction of the Death Star was just the first step. It would not have been possible without those heroes, however -- and knowing this makes the victory at the end of A New Hope all the more special.
Together, Rogue One and Andor have created an extended trilogy of stories that perfectly blend together from start to finish. Grab some popcorn and prepare for a marathon, because if you watch the show, followed by Rogue One, and at last finish out with A New Hope, you're in for a Star Wars experience like no other. And it is worth every moment.
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