"We Will Not Be Dealing With The Royal Family Of Star Wars": Andor Showrunner Tony Gilroy Told Us 3 Years Ago We Won't Be Seeing Darth Vader
Rumors are flying that Darth Vaderwill have a cameo in Andor season 2, but Andorshowrunner Tony Gilroy confirmed three years ago that Vader and the rest of the Skywalker family tree would not be in the show. The final Andor season 2 trailer dropped earlier this week, and viewers immediately clocked Imperial Security Bureau agent Dedra Meero seemingly being Force choked. While Darth Vader isn't the only Star Wars Sith to use Force choke, it is his signature move.
This would make sense, given Vader appeared in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, for which Andor is a spin-off. Although the evidence was compelling, it's unlikely Darth Vader will actually appear in Andor season 2, as, per the New York Times, Andor showrunner Tony Gilroy previously said:
"Like I said, the galaxy is enormous. It would be like if you tried to tell the whole history of 20th-century England just through 'The Crown.' 'Oh, there’s only this royal family, these seven people, their lineage and who they’re [expletive] — that’s all that matters.' We will not be dealing with the royal family of 'Star Wars.' When we have legacy characters return, or when we touch on things that are familiar, we don’t want to do it in a way that would be perceived as fan service. We want it to be protein."
It's clear Gilroy felt very strongly about this subject, so it seems rather unlikely (although not entirely out of the question) that this approach would have changed in the years since.
Tony Gilroy Already Promised Us He Wouldn't Be Using Darth Vader
It's Clear The Skywalkers Aren't The Focus Of Andor, Which Is More Than Valid
Star Wars has struggled to step away from the Skywalkers, even after the Skywalker Saga was said to have ended with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker in 2019. In the franchise's defense, it has to be difficult to walk away not only from some of Star Wars' best characters but also from characters who are guaranteed to draw audiences. The Skywalkers have therefore popped up in several Star Wars shows since then, including The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, and others.
Yet, Andor sets itself apart by very clearly wanting separation from these characters and these stories. This show isn't about the galaxy's most well-known characters (or, as Gilroy puts it, the royal family in Star Wars), though. Andor is about the boots-on-the-ground efforts of Rebel fighters whose names didn't go down in history the way the Skywalkers did. It therefore makes sense for Gilroy to insist that Vader and the other Skywalkers not appear.
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Tony Gilroy Is Right: A Darth Vader Cameo Would Shrink The Galaxy
Excitement Was Building About A Vader Cameo, But Gilroy Has Made The Right Call
Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader is my favorite Star Wars character bar none, but even I have to admit Gilroy's stance is the right one. Star Wars can't realistically incorporate the Skywalkers forever, and it's for the best that the franchise proves stories completely separate from that family can stand on their own two feet. This is especially important for Andor, as this show is meant to focus on the everyday people.
It feels nearly like a matter of respect that Andor season 2 not crowd out the stories of characters like Cassian Andor and Bix Caleen with the franchise's most attention-grabbing characters (who have already gotten plenty of screen time). Particularly as Andor season 2 is all about fighting the Empire, Darth Vader would feel out of place. Some fans may be disappointed, but Tony Gilroy seemingly confirmed three years ago that Darth Vader will not be appearing in Andor season 2.
Source: the New York Times
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