The world has been so focused on the approach of The Mandalorian season 2 that the other Disney+ Star Wars projects have flown under the radar. As we brace ourselves for the highly anticipated return of Baby Yoda and Mando, the Lucasfilm team is preparing to begin production on both the Cassian Andor and Obi-Wan Kenobi series.
It's been a bit of a bumpy ride for both shows, as each project has experienced high creative turnover and shooting delays. The Cassian Andor show, due to begin filming next month, has experienced yet another big change at the top of the creative chain...
NEWS
Deadline is reporting that Toby Haynes will be replacing Tony Gilroy as director of the Cassian Andor Disney+ series.
Haynes, known for his work on Black Mirror, will direct the first three episodes of the series as Gilroy steps down due to COVID-19 related travel reasons. While Gilroy will not join the production team in the UK, he will still have a big role with the series, staying on as executive producer and showrunner.
WHAT THIS MEANS
Given what we know about the situation, it doesn't seem as if this change will have any major ramifications for the series. Cassian remains on track to begin shooting in October as pre-production is once again underway, with the series currently debuting in 2021.
From the sounds of things, Haynes had been on Lucasfilm's radar for quite some time and would have directed episodes for the series anyway, so allowing the British director to take over for the beginning of the series should be a seamless transition. With Gilroy still heavily involved in the series, the overall direction of Cassian shouldn't be changing at all.
Rogue One was an excellent film, and Cassian Andor is the perfect character to explore an espionage-based story in the Star Wars universe. Before long, Diego Luna will be strapping on his rebel boots again with Alan Tudyk playing K-2SO at his side, and the fight for freedom against the Empire will continue!
STAR WARS Writer
