Andrew Gilman

Andrew Gilman

Editor & Writer

Favorite Star Wars Movie: The Empire Strikes Back

This seems to be the obvious choice for so many Star Wars fans, but the film is a cinematic masterpiece from start to finish. It's a darker entry into the saga that tests all of our heroes and forces them to mature, and while the Empire comes out on top, none of the characters truly win. The film is the heart of so many of the messages and themes that the saga looks to convey, one of the most important being belief. The score by John Williams is incredible and does so much of the talking for the movie when the characters don't need to. Revenge of the Sith comes in a pretty close second, but the brilliance of Empire can't be understated.

Favorite Star Wars Character: Darth Vader

Does this choice really need explanation? Darth Vader has so many layers to him, just as vulnerable and fractured as he is cold and commanding. He plays a masterful game of chess in Empire, all culminating in a perfectly calculated checkmate that leaves the heroes with no options. His presence says as much as his words, and he's accompanied by the greatest theme a villain has ever been graced with on screen. There was something about his presence when he first entered the Tantive IV that was immediately captivating, and his rise, fall, and redemption in the saga is a brilliant story. And he's just cool.

Why I joined The Direct...

Simply put, I love Star Wars. We live in a time where Star Wars is more prevalent than ever, and I want to be a part of discussing it and keeping my fellow fans up to speed. I pride myself on my writing, and this is a great opportunity to refine my skills while taking a deep dive into something that I love.

About The Direct

The Direct is a leading independent entertainment news outlet covering the biggest franchises in pop culture. The Direct reaches over 10 million page views a month on its website, thedirect.com, and millions more on social media. Learn more about The Direct here!


Andrew Gilman's Latest Stories

Star Wars: The Clone Wars Characters Rumored To Be Involved in Upcoming Project

While the series recently wrapped, there is allegedly something else in development for certain stars.

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New Star Wars Book Will Follow Side Characters During The Empire Strikes Back

The anthology book will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the beloved sequel.

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The Mandalorian and Baby Yoda Receive the Funko Pop Treatment Together

The iconic tag team are getting the up-scaled Pop! vinyl treatment.

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The Mandalorian Season 2's Action Scenes Were Led by Director of Netflix's Extraction

The Extraction director worked on the second season's action sequences.

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Baby Yoda Cup Meme Origin Revealed

Bryce Dallas Howard explained how the fan-favorite moment came to be.

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The Right Star Wars Story Would Persuade Jar Jar Binks Actor to Return to Play Character

The actor said he would be willing to play the Gungan again on Twitter.

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Boba Fett's The Mandalorian Appearance May Be In Doubt After Jon Favreau's Cryptic Comment

The series' executive producer noted the demise of the infamous bounty hunter during a virtual director's panel.

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Multiple Actors Express Interest In Playing Live-Action Ezra Bridger

Several actors have indicated on Twitter that they are interested in playing in the lost Jedi.

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Two More Star Wars Animated Shows Rumored To Be In Development

Two animated shows in addition to the rumored Rebels Sequel are reportedly on the way.

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Star Wars: New Revan Funko Pop and Others Revealed

Funko has unveiled four new Pops! based on Star Wars video game characters.

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Scrapped Darth Vader Talk Show Parody Details Shared By Paul Scheer

Paul Scheer shares details about the un-released After Darth series.

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Star Wars Writer Claims He Was Removed As Website Contributor For Disliking The Rise of Skywalker

Writer Alex Kane has been removed from the official Star Wars site's staff.

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Timothy Olyphant Cast In The Mandalorian Season 2

Timothy Olyphant has reportedly joined The Mandalorian for the series' second season.

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Ahsoka Tano Rumored To Appear In Obi-Wan Kenobi Series

Rosario Dawson is rumored to appear as Ahsoka Tano in the Obi-Wan Kenobi Disney+ series.

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Kylo Ren and Darth Vader Deleted Scene From The Rise of Skywalker Revealed

A deleted scene from The Rise of Skywalker shows a second moment shared between Kylo Ren and the mask of Darth Vader.

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Obi-Wan Kenobi Series Finds New Writer in Joby Harold

Joby Harold has been selected to pick up the writing duties for the Obi-Wan Kenobi series.

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Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Blooper Clip Officially Released

A blooper reel for The Rise of Skywalker featuring Domhnall Gleeson and Richard E. Grant has been officially released.

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Rogue One: 15 Big Reveals About Alternate Plots, Characters And More From Writers' Rewatch

Rogue One screenwriters Gary Whitta and Chris Weitz held a livestream Q&A sharing details about the film.

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Star Wars: The Clone Wars - "The Phantom Apprentice" Episode Stills and Clip Released

Preview images and a clip from the upcoming episode of The Clone Wars, "The Phantom Apprentice".

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A Familiar Star Wars Character Cameos in New The Clone Wars Episode

A familiar character made a brief cameo in the latest Clone Wars episode, "The Phantom Apprentice".

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Naomi Ackie Thinks Her Star Wars Character Jannah Could Get A Spin-off

Naomie Ackie discussed the possibility of a Jannah spinoff, her connection to Lando, and the impact of landing a Star Wars role.

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Watch: Ahsoka and Darth Maul's Mo-Cap Battle Revealed In Star Wars: The Clone Wars BTS Video

A behind the scenes video detailing the creation of the final Clone Wars duel has been shared by Lucasfilm.

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Dark Rey Wears Kylo Ren's Helmet In New The Rise of Skywalker Concept Art

New concept art pieces depicting Dark Rey in The Rise of Skywalker have been released.

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Sam Witwer Teases More Epic Maul In The Clone Wars Series Finale

Sam Witwer teased the continuation of Maul's destrucion of clones in The Clone Wars series finale.

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Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Release Date Announced

Lucasfilm announced that Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga will be released on October 20th, 2020.

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Jason Isaacs Wants To Play The Grand Inquisitor in Live-Action

Actor Jason Isaacs says he would be interested in playing the Grand Inquisitor in live-action.

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Mark Hamill Explains Why His Time Playing Luke Skywalker Is Over

Mark Hamill discussed why it's time to hang up his Star Wars cape and his appreciation for The Mandalorian.

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Mark Hamill Says He Is Officially Done Playing Luke Skywalker

Mark Hamill tweeted that The Rise of Skywalker was bittersweet being the last time he will play Luke Skywalker.

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Hayden Christensen Rumored to Return As Anakin Skywalker In Obi-Wan Kenobi Series

A new rumor suggests that Hayden Christensen will be reprising his role as Anakin Skywalker for the Kenobi Disney+ series.

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Robert Rodriguez Shares The Mandalorian Baby Yoda Set Photo, Confirms He Is a Director for Season 2

Robert Rodriguez has confirmed that he directed an episode for the second season of The Mandalorian and shared a set photo.

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Dave Filoni Posts Thank You Drawing for The Clone Wars Fans

Dave Filoni has posted a drawing on social media thanking fans for supporting The Clone Wars.

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Disney+ Is Going All Out For May the 4th Celebration with Official Art, Poster

Concept art will be featured on Disney+ to celebrate Star Wars Day, as well as a newly released poster.

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New Female-Centric Star Wars Show In Development For Disney+

A new female-centric Star Wars series is on the way for Disney + from creator Leslye Headland.

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Battlefront III Is Not Being Planned By EA

Battlefront III is currently not in the plans for EA's Star Wars titles.

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Ahsoka Tano Was Nearly Retconned Into Star Wars: Attack of the Clones

Ahsoka Tano was almost retconned into being one of the younglings seen in Attack of the Clones.

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STAR WARS MADNESS FINAL FOUR: #2 Star Wars: A New Hope vs. #6 Ep. III Revenge of the Sith

The original classic faces the end of the Prequel Trilogy in the Final Four.

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STAR WARS MADNESS FINAL FOUR: #1 The Empire Strikes Back vs. #5 Rogue One

An iconic sequel takes on the first Star Wars live-action spinoff in the Final 4.

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Rosario Dawson Breaks Silence on Ahsoka Tano Casting

Rosario Dawson has makes her first public comments about her reported casting as Ahsoka Tano in The Mandalorian Season 2.

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Babu Frik Originally Died in The Rise of Skywalker

Babu Frik originally died in The Rise of Skywalker, but may have been saved by legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg.

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STAR WARS MADNESS ELITE EIGHT: #4 The Force Awakens vs. #5 Rogue One

The first two films in the Disney era of Star Wars go head to head.

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