The creator of the show Andor has connected the show’s themes of authoritarianism to President Trump and current U.S. political issues, which is bringing political debate to Disney’s most successful recent Star Wars project.
Compared to other recent Star Wars shows, Andor really stood out. While the franchise has had trouble regaining its original audience, Andor was praised by critics and, crucially, won over fans in a way many newer installments hadn’t.
Recently, the show’s creator, Tony Gilroy, has sparked debate by openly connecting the show’s core ideas to current American political issues in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
Some viewers are wondering why this project, which everyone seemed to enjoy together, is now being mixed with politics.
Gilroy Draws Direct Parallels
During the interview, Gilroy emphasized that the story he created is heavily inspired by real-life events and issues.
He explained they based their work on a simplified guide to fascism, intentionally incorporating as many of its principles as they could. They were surprised to see politicians in Washington seemingly using the same source material.
He didn’t believe the show was predicting the future, but rather reflecting the unfortunately common patterns of fascism.
Although Gilroy didn’t specifically name President Trump, his frequent mentions of “Washington” and the current U.S. administration made his political views clear.
Tarnishing The One Disney Star Wars Win
As a big Star Wars fan, what really struck me about the buzz around Andor is just how different it is from everything else Disney’s been doing with the franchise. It really stands out.
Unlike some recent Star Wars shows that fans heavily criticized, Andor received widespread praise for being more mature, having a stronger story, and not relying too much on familiar elements from the past. Even viewers who were generally unhappy with Disney’s approach to Star Wars admitted that Andor was a significant improvement.
That goodwill is exactly why some observers are raising eyebrows now.
Disney is already facing challenges with audiences getting tired of sequels and with viewers being spread across many different options. Adding clear political messages to one of their most universally loved properties is a risky move.
Gilroy’s Most Blunt Comments
Gilroy did not mince words when discussing his broader concerns about the United States.
He expressed frustration, saying things were consistently negative. He described a pattern of suppressing truth, silencing the media, and dismantling communities.
He went on to express an even more extreme view, suggesting the ultimate aim was to end elections and establish a completely fascist government.
He issued a particularly strong warning, stating that fascism ultimately fails and represents a deeply damaging chapter in American history from which the country might never fully heal.
Disney Previously Tried to Keep Politics Away from Andor
Gilroy also shared that Disney had previously asked them to be careful with how the show approached political issues.
The show’s creator said the studio initially asked him not to use the word “fascism” in promotional materials, indicating Disney understood the series might spark controversy and cultural debate.
That earlier caution makes these current comments stand out even more.
Gilroy Previously Claimed Stalin Was “Glamorous”
Gilroy’s current political statements are reminding people of his earlier explanations about the origins of the rebellion in the series Andor.
The show’s creator revealed the Aldhani heist was partially based on a real event: the 1907 Tiflis bank robbery planned by revolutionaries, including a young Joseph Stalin. Interestingly, the series portrays the Aldhani crew as the heroes of the story.
Gilroy once pointed out that young Stalin, in photographs, had a surprising appeal, even resembling the artist Diego Rivera.
He mentioned Simon Sebag Montefiore’s Young Stalin as a key source for his research, highlighting the book’s description of the robbery as being as captivating as a scene from a film.
It’s a sharp contrast: the director behind Disney’s most acclaimed recent Star Wars film has taken inspiration from the early life of a Soviet leader, while simultaneously voicing concerns about the growth of “fascism” in the United States today.
For some observers, that juxtaposition is likely to raise eyebrows.
A Familiar Franchise Tightrope
The world of Star Wars has always been inspired by real-world politics and history, starting with George Lucas and the original films, which reflected the Vietnam War era. However, today’s media landscape is much more divided, and fans are often less accepting of obvious connections to current events.
Disney’s main concern might be whether it’s smart to bring political controversy back into the discussion around the latest Star Wars film, especially since that film successfully stayed out of those debates.
Because once real-world comparisons enter the conversation, audience reactions tend to follow.
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2026-02-21 18:58