Let’s Get It Over With

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Heed this notice! The article unveils plot details from Andor season 2, episode 6. Tony Gilroy, the mastermind behind Andor, has clarified his rationale for swapping the actor portraying Bail Organa in season 2. Previously played by Jimmy Smits since the Star Wars prequel trilogy, Smits reprised the role in both Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022). In Andor season 2, though, Benjamin Bratt steps into the shoes of Senator Organa. Gilroy recently discussed this recasting with Ebaster, mentioning scheduling conflicts but also sharing additional reasons behind his decision.

Gilroy elaborated on the reasoning behind the decision with Entertainment Weekly, focusing on how Bail Organa’s brief appearance in episode 6 “What a Festive Evening” fits into the storyline. According to the Andor showrunner, Senator Organa’s small role in this episode serves as a temporary distraction so viewers can discuss the conversation before they delve deeper into his involvement starting from the next episode. It seems Gilroy is well aware that this decision might prompt some criticism.

Tony Gilroy: I placed him in episode 6 casually, allowing viewers to wrap up their discussion from that point until the following week when his role becomes more significant and pivotal.

Gilroy elaborates that he aimed for a more straightforward approach, which isn’t typical for the Andor team. As the showrunner clarifies, this group usually avoids excessive cameos, as demonstrated in Andor season 1. However, in this instance, it was more like, “Let’s bring him in now so people can debate about it for a week and then move on, allowing him to make a significant impact later.” Gilroy makes a valid point; the controversy surrounding the recast will eventually subside when it’s time for Bail to take center stage.

Tony Gilroy: This is one of those instances where I prefer a straightforward approach. We don’t usually engage in unnecessary activities, but it’s like saying, “Let’s bring him onboard immediately so everyone can talk about it for a while and then let it go, and only after that, he can truly focus on his work.” I didn’t want his initial introduction to mix with his actual work.

What Andor’s Bail Organa Recast Really Means For Star Wars

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Although this recasting choice has stirred up as much controversy as one might anticipate among many Star Wars enthusiasts and casual viewers alike, it seems to be the correct move for the franchise. Recasting isn’t an uncommon practice, and frequently, it’s essential. Even though this recast in Andor is a significant departure from Star Wars’ recent recasting instances, with Rory McCann stepping into the role of Baylan Skoll in Ahsoka season 2 following Ray Stevenson’s unfortunate passing in 2023, both moves are steps in the right direction.

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Making Bratt play Bail Organa is a pivotal choice for the Star Wars universe, as it establishes a significant pattern. The reluctance to recast iconic characters like Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa in productions like The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett has resulted in those characters feeling outdated, largely due to the technical constraints when resurrecting the original actors’ performances.

There’s no denying the effort invested in those digital reconstructions, but they pale in comparison to what a real human mind, body, and spirit can bring to a character, regardless if it’s not the original actor portraying them. It’s comforting that Bail Organa wasn’t written off entirely out of apprehension about recasting; he deserves a role in this Rebel Alliance origin story. Although the recasting for Andor may stir debate, I believe it was the most suitable decision for the franchise under these specific circumstances.

Andor season 2 releases new episodes Tuesdays at 9 PM ET on Disney+.

Release Date Episode Drop
April 29, 2025 Andor season 2, episodes 4-6
May 6, 2025 Andor season 2, episodes 7-9
May 13, 2025 Andor season 2, episodes 10-12

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2025-05-01 00:09