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Andor” Showrunner Tony Gilroy Rewrites “Star Wars Rebels” Canon, Admits “Hijacking

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In the second season of Tony Gilroy‘s series, Andor, there appears to be a significant scene that could potentially replace or reinterpret a crucial moment previously seen in Dave Filoni’s Star Wars Rebels.

The simmering dispute within Lucasfilm might be becoming more public. After a recent podcast revealed allegations of Dave Filoni controlling the Star Wars franchise, Andor’s showrunner, Tony Gilroy, is openly stating his intention to not adhere to Filoni’s guidelines. In essence, he’s revising them.

In an exclusive chat with Entertainment Weekly, it’s been disclosed that ‘Andor’ season 2 will significantly revamp a significant event from ‘Star Wars Rebels’, which was conceived and supervised by Dave Filoni. The event being reworked is known as the Ghorman Massacre and Mon Mothma’s powerful speech condemning Emperor Palpatine, an influential milestone in the establishment of the Rebel Alliance.

In the 18th episode of season 3 in the series “Rebels,” titled “Secret Cargo,” a significant speech occurs on a rebel vessel following Mon Mothma’s rescue by Gold Squadron. However, it appears that writers Greg and Dan Gilroy, who collaborate on the show, had alternate plans in mind. They certainly didn’t shy away from expressing their thoughts subtly.

Gilroy openly acknowledged to Entertainment Weekly that we are deviating from established canon, referring back to the original Rebels episode. In the original storyline, she was saved by Gold Squadron and a canonical speech given in the cartoon was on board that ship. However, Danny expressed some frustration over whether he had to adhere strictly to that specific speech.

That line says it all.

The leader of Andor shows no secret admiration for the Rebels’ portrayal of events. Instead, Andor reinterprets the scenario—placing Mon Mothma’s public defiance against the Empire in a powerful speech at Coruscant, before her eventual escape. Although Gilroy suggests that the revision only slightly adjusts but maintains similarity with Rebels, it appears to be a subtle criticism, if not a complete disagreement, towards Dave Filoni, who serves as chief creative officer for Lucasfilm and creator of Rebels.

Gilroy Doesn’t Care About Filoni’s Star Wars

To put it straightforwardly, “Andor” deviates significantly from the standard playbook. It offers a mature, politically-driven narrative, which stands in stark contrast to the lighter themes found in Filoni’s animated legacy (and the more recent “Ahsoka” series). This divergence is not lost on fans or casual viewers alike.

Genevieve O’Reilly, who portrays Mon Mothma in both “Andor” and “Rebels”, stated that the updated rendition of her character’s speech serves as its most defining moment; a feat the “Rebels” version failed to achieve.

She expressed, “That’s exactly what I longed to accomplish,” she stated. “It represents the essence of Mon Mothma. I hope it resonates with others because it was incredibly rewarding to provide her with a voice.

Instead of merely modifying it, this change was a complete overhaul of one of Filoni’s most memorable scenes, and Gilroy takes great satisfaction in having done so.

The Filoni-Gilroy Rift Grows

Combining Joanna Robinson’s assertion that some within Lucasfilm reportedly dislike the show Andor and her reference to the “Filoni wall,” where many projects are allegedly halted, strongly suggests a division within Lucasfilm, which has long been a concern among fans.

Filoni’s productions are built around classic animated characters, Jedi lore, and complexing intricate mythology, while Gilroy’s Andor opts for a more realistic, unique narrative approach instead. The fact that Andor is redefining Filoni’s continuity – openly and with a touch of defiance – highlights the undercurrent of conflict simmering beneath the surface.

As a passionate film enthusiast, if it took even the highly-anticipated series like “Andor” to slip past the gatekeepers and make its way onto our screens, that speaks volumes about who truly holds the reins in the realm of “Star Wars”—and who doesn’t.

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2025-05-13 23:12

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