Tony Gilroy (‘Andor’): “The question isn’t whether the set is good or bad, it’s whether you decide to use it or not”

‘Andor’, the new series of the ‘Star Wars’ universe for the streaming platform, has already arrived on Disney + with its first three episodes. Before its premiere we were able to talk to its protagonist, Diego Luna, with showrunner and writer Tony Gilroy and with two of his villains: Kyle Soller and Denise Gough.

Despite being an entirely new series that will also explore a galactic period that has not yet been covered in George Lucas’ films or universe series (takes place five years before ‘A New Hope’), Gilroy is no stranger to the franchise and he was already involved in the character of Cassian Andor in “Rogue One”. He now looks back to tell us how this war survivor and refugee got involved in the rebellion and sacrificed his life to end Darth Vader’s evil plans: “[Cassian] He has to learn and experience many, many things to become the person he is at the end of “Rogue One”. […] The first half of ‘Andor’, the first twelve episodes, they are basically dedicated to seeing how she joins the rebellion and learning from her emotionally, intellectually and viscerally. Everything makes sense inside him. That’s what the series is about. ”

Although at first Lucasfilm and Disney promised to make five seasons, in the end their team decided to leave it in two, 24 episodes in total, counting in the first one year and in the second the remaining four until they reconnect with the events of ‘Rogue . One’ : “I think you’ll forgive us for not saying that in five seasons. It was too much. Diego would be too old and the rest of us would ride in a wheelchair.” Gilroy jokes, “We decided to do it this way because we had three blocks of three and we thought it would be very elegant to make a block of three for each year we wanted to count and when we started playing with history we found it very exciting to do so. We focus so much on the characters in these 12 episodes that when they start we get a chance to see them leave an ellipse in the middle. It is very interesting from a narrative point of view “.

Now what is used is to use set design, a fully applied technology in “The Mandalorian”, but Gilroy preferred the old school vibe: building sets and putting the special effects into post-production. “The scenography is fantastic. The question is not whether it is good or not, but whether you decide to use it or not. It’s like being vegetarian or eating meat, there are no half measures, the workflow is completely different “explains when we ask him what advantages one system has over another, “If you use scenography, all the post-production and finishing work is done in the beginning. In our own way, we shoot everything and then add whatever we want. Soon someone will be able to combine both techniques, but it’s too expensive and complicated to put them together. in one series., both options are great, but our series is the other way “. Recognize, yes, that “There are some scenes where it probably would have been easier and better for us to shoot with the set”.

on the dark side

‘Star Wars’ is an inspiring franchise full of heroic characters, but what happens when you have to play the villains of the story? “We’re having the time of our lives. Being the bad guys is the best.”Gough tells us, “We always go immaculate: perfect hairstyle, perfect wardrobe. Perfect evil …” to which Soller adds: “It’s a lot more fun than being a rebel”. And it is that “Andor” offers us a new perspective on the employees of the Empire, a window on their personal life that until now had not been opened: “Even the worst of the worst was once children and they have a past to draw”Gough reflects, “I want you to cheer for Dedra because she is a woman with power in a world of men and then you realize she is a fascist, so you shouldn’t be supporting it that much. Because even women can be fascists “

When we wanted to know if they were fans of the saga before joining the series, they were both very honest: Gough knew nothing about it and Soller had lost interest. “I wasn’t interested in ‘Star Wars’ as an adult until I saw ‘Rogue One’ in theaters and was very surprised that this was the path the franchise was taking. It’s definitely one of the reasons why I have accepted. ‘ Andor ‘”tell us. One of the peculiarities besides this project is that we already know the end of at least its protagonist, will this affect the interest? “We have rebuilt the life of this complicated hero that is Cassian and I think my heart will break when he sacrifices himself because we now know so much more about him.Gough says, “It’s adorable, but at the same time it has a dark side. You can’t help but be fascinated. [Diego Luna] He is a fantastic protagonist, you just have to see him in “Narcos”! Follow the character because he’s complex, and here he is too. I’m really excited about how the film will look knowing this past. ” The first three episodes of “Andor” are now available on Disney + and the season will continue with a weekly broadcast every Wednesday until the 12 chapters are completed.