This month, we’ll see the end of “Andor” as the final run of episodes heads to Disney+ on and we’re learning from showrunner Tony Gilroy that the “Star Wars” spinoff series (a prequel to the events of “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”) got some major protectors to allow them to keep the magic.
Gilroy spoke with Empire Magazine, as he revealed they had “ultimate freedom” on the show and how everyone “down the line,” from the audience to Lucasfilm to Disney involved helped to protect that.
“We were protected all the way down the line,” Gilroy told Empire. “Kathy [Kennedy] protected us. Lucasfilm protected us. Bob Iger protected us. The audience protected us. ‘The Mandalorian’ protected us. We had all these people out there backing our play.”
READ MORE: ‘Andor’: Tony Gilroy Teases More Romance, Season 2 Guests, Additional ‘Rogue One’ Characters & More [Interview]
Gilory continued to talk up how “The Mandalorian” (what started out as an original and darker corner of the universe) helped them out as well. “The success of ‘The Mandalorian’ gave us the platform to jump off,” Gilroy explained. “Their success is what would fuel the whole thing. I mean, no Baby Yoda, no ‘Andor.’ Seriously. Don’t think that we don’t know that.”
Also, Gilroy cleared the air about perceived animosity between himself and others on the “Star Wars” creative team that is assumed by fans online, “Online, [people] try to drive a wedge all the time between us, and [Jon] Favreau and [Dave] Filoni,” said Gilroy. “It’s horrible what people say; it’s terrible. And the truth is, we don’t have a show without them. They gave us the muscle to go.”
So, if you’re thinking that flame wars are going between Gilroy and Filoni/Favreau, that’s not the reality of things. A lot of imaginary internal fighting connected to the “Star Wars” franchise has been a longstanding issue with various circles of fandom online, and much of that is because there are pitchforks out for Kennedy connected to never-ending grievances.
Here’s the official synopsis for the latest season:
The second season of “Andor” takes place as the horizon of war draws near, and Cassian becomes a key player in the Rebel Alliance. Everyone will be tested, and as the stakes rise, the betrayals, sacrifices and conflicting agendas will become profound. Rife with political intrigue and danger, the series is a prequel to “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” which portrays a heroic band of rebels who steal the plans for the Empire’s weapon of mass destruction—The Death Star—setting the stage for the events of the original 1977 film. “Andor” sets the clock back five years from the events of “Rogue One” to tell the story of the film’s hero, Cassian Andor, and his transformation from a disinterested, cynical nobody into a rebel hero on his way to an epic destiny.  
Support independent movie journalism to keep it alive. Sign up for The Playlist Newsletter. All the content you want and, oh, right, it’s free.
Debuting on April 22, “Andor” season two can be watched exclusively on Disney+.