'ANDOR': INTRODUCING THE NEW 'BAIL'!

It was great that the second season of the acclaimed Andor brought back such an important character from the Prequel Trilogy as Princess Leia Organa's adopted father of Bail Organa of Alderaan, becoming a welcome part (again) of the saga's dramatic political storytelling aspects. If the character hadn't been seen linked to the critical senatorial scenes, and Mon Mothma, in the events leading up to the dissolution of the Republic Senate by the Emperor, then it would have been a real waste. Jimmy Smits may sadly not have been available to reprise his role due to scheduling conflicts - to me he was perfect casting back in the day - but Hollywood film and TV veteran Benjamin Bratt nonetheless proved a fine successor to the role, bringing an extra layer of realism and toughness to a role caught in disturbing, dark times.

'ANDOR': THE LEGACY OF LUTHEN RAEL...

Living on the edge, fighting tyranny: Luthen Rael, from Andor.

Though we all enjoyed the dedicated and fiery performance of Diego Luna as the series titular star, for me the absolute acting highlight of both Andor seasons had to be Stellan Skarsgard as the tough, resourceful Rebel spy and efficient fighter Luthen Rael, mostly working solo for the building Alliance cause, hiding deep within plain sight inside the upper circle elitism of the Galactic Empire (but always watching his back wherever possible), via his unique shop of rare antiquities located deep in the luxuriant quarters of Coruscant. His character in some ways reminded me, in an even tougher personal style, of Paul Darrow's classic anti-hero Kerr Avon, from the hit British Sci-Fi classic of resistance against the evil Federation, Blake's 7.

Skarsgard has always had a unique edge and simmering anger, even deep down violence restrained, to his screen performances, of which he is quite rightly regarded as one of the world's finest character actors, always in demand. And with Andor, he certainly had some great scripts and character development to enjoy realizing, especially in the latter stages of Season One and across Season Two, when he found the Empire finally closing in on him. And let's not forget those several super, now iconic, speeches given to Rael revealing his dedication to the cause, and the personal costs it will ultimately bring him, delivered with the kind of filmic intensity that only Skarsgard could truly deliver.

Personally, I'd bring Rael and Skarsgard back for a separate spin-off series within this unique TV storytelling from the Star Wars universe...

The mysterious look for the series early character posters!

Costume design for the character.

As seen in Season One.

A secret meeting with Mon Mothma (Genevieve O'Reilly).

'ANDOR': THE FACE OF FREEDOM!

On the eve of fully joining the Rebel Alliance as its leader against the Galactic Empire, the bold Mon Mothma delivers her greatest speech yet within the confines of the Senate, about the Emperor's tyrannic threat to the Galaxy and its people, and how he and his minions must be repulsed at all costs. She's shown courage and bravery in doing this, but, now vulnerable, will she survive long enough to escape Coruscant? 

A classic scene from Andor's second season, part of a massive improvement on the show's opening run, and one that fully utilises the talents of actress Genevieve O'Reilly as Mon Mothma.

Looking back on Mon Mothma.

CLASSIC IMAGE: TECHNOLOGICAL TERROR!

Under secret construction at an unknown location, its parts assembled by slave labour across the galaxy via numerous dummy corporations and sub-sub contractors, the mighty Death Star battle station may be a long time before reaching planet-killing completion, but progress nonetheless remains as swift as can be, especially with the Empire's legion of tireless droid bots hard at work across its surface...

A memorable finale scene to the slow-paced but intriguing first season of Andor. 

'STAR WARS - ANDOR': THE FUTURE GETS DARKER...

The latest promo poster concluding the first season.

Its acclaimed first year run ending with rebel insurgence that will shake the Galactic Empire to its core, the intriguing partnership of Cassian Andor and bold resistance fighter Luthen Rael (the always scene-stealing Stellan Skarsgard), and that stellar post credits ending with the awesome Death Star, the path to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is set as we eagerly await Star Wars - Andor Season 2, coming exclusively to Disney+ in 2024.

Here's some more updates on the series, and what lies ahead:

Andor Season Finale: Fiona Shaw's Maarva Was to Originally Yell 'F**k the Empire', Disney Didn't Allow to Go Forward With It | 📺 LatestLY

Dressing the Galaxy: Designer Michael Wilkinson Defines the Look of Andor's Costumes | StarWars.com

Andor' Ending Explained: Season Finale, Post-Credits Scene Recap - CNET

Tony Gilroy Reveals When Andor Season 2 Begins

'Andor' Season 2: Tony Gilroy reveals a huge time jump — and who survives it

Andor Season 2, Post-Credits Scene Teased by Tony Gilroy – The Hollywood Reporter

Star Wars: Andor showrunner teases season 2

Andor creator warns "heavy things" are coming for Mon Mothma | Radio Times

'Andor' Season 2: Release Date, Cast, Episodes, Plot, Spoilers and More

Diego Luna Talks Andor Finale, Jedi's & How Season 2 Will Affect Rogue One

Diego Luna Shares Excitement Over 'Andor' Season 2 Scripts, Discusses Cassian's Relationship With Maarva, and More - Star Wars News Net

Diego Luna Says Andor Season 2 Brings New Context to Rogue One

Andor Season 2: Why Dantooine could be a key planet

Andor Season 2 & Star Wars Rebels Are About to Collide

Denise Gough on Becoming Dedra Meero, Talks 'Andor' Season 2 - Star Wars News Net

Andor: Andy Serkis Addresses Possible Star Wars Return

'STAR WARS - ANDOR' NEWS (OCTOBER 2022)

Newly released series promo art by Hugh Fleming.

Receiving great reviews and overall acclaim for its gritty, often non Star Wars-esque socio-political drama, Star Wars -Andor continues its exclusive run on Disney+.

Here's a round-up of current news on the series and its star, Diego Luna.

The principal creative movers of the series: Tony Gilroy on location with Diego Luna.

Andor Creator Tony Gilroy, Diego Luna, and Cast - Feature | StarWars.com

All the Andor Easter Eggs You’ve Missed

'Andor' Production Design Highlighted in New National Geographic Featurette - Star Wars News Net

Andor star Diego Luna: ‘I thought I could do whatever I wanted after Rogue One. I was naive’ | Television | The Guardian

Andor Recap: Season 1 Episode 4 — Mon Mothma Intro, Cass Joins Heist | TVLine

'Andor' Season 2 Adds 'Gears 5' Scribe Tom Bissell To Write Three Episodes - Star Wars News Net

Andor: Stars Denise Gough and Kyle Soller on Their Star Wars Characters – The Hollywood Reporter

Diego Luna spotted filming 'Star Wars' show 'Andor'

'STAR WARS - ANDOR' - LATEST FOOTAGE (EARLY SEP 2022)

On the move - Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) and Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgard).

Thief, infiltrator, pilot, assassin, rebel. Cassian Andor is all those things, and more, as we'll discover in the exciting new Star Wars - Andor series, starting exclusively on Disney+ from September 21st, 2022.

Here's a round-up of all the latest and best footage and imagery.

The latest series poster.

Poster for the US IMAX re-release of Rogue One.

Bix Caleen (Adria Arjona) goes into action.

Recent UK SFX magazine cover and detailed article.

Cassian and a new droid B2EMO go to work...

GENERATION REBELLION! THE LATEST 'STAR WARS - ANDOR' TRAILER IS HERE!

Its launch may now have been delayed until September 21st, but the striking and exciting new trailer for the galaxy-spanning spy/action thriller Andor, coming exclusively to Disney+ with a three episode release debut, makes it worth the wait, especially with the return of Forrest Whitaker as renegade Rebel leader Saw Gerrera, and more on the important role that Stellan Skaarsgard will be playing in the show's first season, mixing senatorial duties with fighting the Empire...

Fighting diplomatically from the Imperial Senate: Mon Mothma.

Latest news:

Star Wars' Andor Will Reveal More About Mon Mothma, Says Actor

Andor: Diego Luna & Genevieve O'Reilly talk about Star Wars return

Andor: Tony Gilroy Explains Star Wars’ Rogue One Prequel Series’ Epic Five-Year Structure – Exclusive Image | TV Series | Empire

Andor star Diego Luna teases his Star Wars return | EW.com

‘Andor’ Reveals Massive Time Jump Between Episodes for Diego Luna Show | IndieWire

Battling across the galaxy against the Imperial war machine: Cassian Andor.

New Andor Trailer Features The Return Of A Star Wars Hero | HuffPost UK Entertainment

Andor Doesn’t Use Star Wars’ Volume Video Wall: ‘We’re Old-School,’ Says Tony Gilroy – Exclusive Image | TV Series | Empire

Andor Is Star Wars’ ‘Scurrilous Take On The Trumpian World,’ Says Fiona Shaw – Exclusive Image | TV Series | Empire

REBELLION AND EMPIRE - 'ANDOR' WILL SOON BE HERE...

The new teaser poster revealed at the recent Celebration event.

With what looks set to be the most ambitious and biggest scale collation of interplanetary drama, action and character arc weaving ever attempted (so far) for a Star Wars TV series (and with a second season already planned), creator/writer Tony Gilroy and star Diego Luna's upcoming Andor series, leading up to the Rebel hero's sacrificial bravery in Rogue One- A Star Wars Story, looks intriguing, as things gear up for its August 31st, 2022 airdate, exclusively on Disney+.

How Long is Andor? New Star Wars Disney+ Show Coming Summer

Star Wars’ TV Rebellion: ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi,’ ‘Ahsoka,’ and ‘Andor’ Rise | Vanity Fair

Andor Showrunner Tony Gilroy Says The Series Will Mess With Star Wars Canon, Which Always Ends Well

Luna and O'Reilly meet the crowds at the Celebration 2022 event.

New Star Wars report reveals first Andor plot details | GamesRadar+

https://vocal.media/futurism/star-wars-andor-receives-release-update?fbclid=IwAR0wqO_eCZrMIHprmiNuR0-dmTM6FhUc5FaBJL7_EiRdADpL2wrBiD7VtsA

OUT NOW - 'VANITY FAIR' INVESTIGATES THE 'STAR WARS' TV EMPIRE....

Vanity Fair magazine's always extensive, gorgeous photo-packed coverage of the live-action Star Wars universe is back with a bang via their July 2022 TV issue, celebrating and revealing the exciting secrets of the universe-building realms of the saga's hugely successful TV empire vis Disney+. Iconic photographer Annie Leibovitz returns to deliver some spectacular new pictures covering the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka, The Mandalorian, and Andor event series.

The new issue of Vanity Fair is out later this month.

The main trio characters of Obi-Wan Kenobi, and a superb first proper look at the Vader costume.

Gathering for the cover.

Ewan and Hayden - back in duelling action rehearsal.

Grogu and Jon Favreau.

Custodians of the former Lucas empire.

And more TV Star Wars to come...

'ANDOR': FIERY FLIGHT!

 

Concept art by Vincent Jenkins. 

A skilled pilot for sure, but top Rebel Alliance operative Captain Cassian Andor is nonetheless clearly in fiery trouble, in this exciting concept art from the upcoming Diego Luna starring Disney+ series that we all wish we could see this year rather than its anticipated 2022.

More series news:

https://dorksideoftheforce.com/2021/02/05/andor-series-new-episode-directors/

https://www.deseret.com/entertainment/2021/2/1/22260030/star-wars-andor-series-new-photos-teaser-planet

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9154221/Villagers-slam-Star-Wars-bosses-set-Obi-Wan-Kenobi-series-arrives-disused-quarry.html?ito=email_share_article-top

COMING 2022: 'STAR WARS: ANDOR'

Before his heroic demise at the Battle of Scarif, we knew he'd been fighting the tyranny of the Empire at an early age, and that he'd been a spy, saboteur and recruiter for the Rebel Alliance over many years. But there's still much, much more to discover about Diego Luna's fascinating and subtly dark-edged hero Captain Cassian Andor beyond what we originally saw in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, as the all-new limited series Star Wars: Andor, from Tony Gilroy, finally begins shooting in London, for exclusive debut on Disney XD in 2022.

https://www.starwars.com/news/cassian-andor-live-action-series-announced

https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/star-wars-new-look-at-cassian-andor-series-and-more/