‘Andor’ Star Kyle Soller on Syril’s Big [SPOILER], That ‘Feral Cat’ Fight Scene During the Ghorman Massacre and Drinking the Empire’s ‘Kool-Aid’

WARNING: This post reveals plot points from Episodes 7, 8, and 9 of the current season of “Andor” on Disney+. Proceed with caution if you haven’t watched up to there!

“Who are you?”

Although they’ve spent many years playing a game of cat and mouse, Diego Luna’s rebel spy Cassian Andor and Kyle Soller’s Empire agent Syril Karn haven’t had much chance to interact on screen – until recently. Unfortunately for Syril, their encounter is cut short when he gets hit by a blaster shot during the Ghorman Massacre, resulting in a tragic end.

In the recent episodes of “Andor”, the long-standing political strife and social upheaval on the planet Ghorman reaches a critical stage. The Empire continues with its covert mining operation, threatening to make Ghorman uninhabitable altogether. Despite providing intelligence about the rebels’ strategies to his Imperial superiors, Syril is taken aback when he learns that his partner Dedra (Denise Gough) had been aware of their plans all along. In a moment of anger, Syril grabs Dedra roughly, asking her to reveal the Empire’s true intentions. She assures him they’ll have a better future and reminds him that he had accepted promotions while the Empire was planning Ghorman’s devastation. Confused, Syril departs, leaving behind a turbulent situation as the Imperial and rebel factions clash violently.

In the midst of chaos during the Ghorman Massacre, Syril manages to identify Cassian amidst the turmoil, as he readies his weapon for Dedra. Syril intervenes before Cassian can fire, leading to a fierce fight between them. They exchange powerful blows, and at one point, Syril gains an advantage, disarming Cassian and reaching for his gun. In a critical moment, Cassian questions Syril, “Who are you?”, causing Syril to hesitate. At this pause, Carro Rylanz, the Ghorman leader who had earlier accepted Syril into the rebels’ inner circle, takes aim and shoots him. With this, Cassian manages to flee while Syril becomes another victim of the Ghorman Massacre.

Using EbMaster, Soller delves deeply into Syril’s demise, transforming into a tenacious fighter in his battle sequence against Luna, and highlighting the chilling relevance of the Ghorman Massacre to our contemporary world.

When did you find out that this would be how Syril’s story comes to an end?

Tony Gilroy handled the entire project with an incredible attention to detail, meticulously planning five years from the start and understanding the intricate complexities of each character. He didn’t reveal this until the gap between Seasons 1 and 2. I found his decision for Syril’s ending to be fitting. It was as if a new twist in Syril’s life was about to unfold, only to be snatched away. Over the last ten minutes of his life, so much was stripped from him – revelations, betrayals, truths about the Empire and the foundations of the choices he had made crumbling. Rather than giving him a redemption arc, I believe it was more powerful and authentic to portray him as just another piece in the machinery. Just another casualty of war.

He unleashes a ferocious side of himself that we’d never seen before when he fights Cassian. Where did that come from?

Throughout his life, Syril has been perceived as a complex character, harboring deep-seated anger beneath his calm exterior. Given his upbringing in a restrictive environment under constant watch, it was not shocking to suspect this hidden fury. We found it intriguing to explore scenarios where this anger might manifest, with Rylanz challenging him, the deception with Dedra, and eventually with Cassian. Syril has been evolving in Ghorman, becoming more uninhibited, gaining power, and connecting with his core. Beneath the surface, he is aware that he’s being manipulated by Dedra, but denies it to himself. A simmering anger is building up. Essentially, Syril is someone who has been deceived since childhood, who blindly followed the teachings of the Empire. He found a new perspective with Rylanz and an emotional connection with Dedra. However, he was betrayed, and then encountered this figure, this symbol of everything he couldn’t achieve on that path in Cassian. Adding to this, the riot and massacre further triggered a personal crisis for him, resulting in a release of all the suffering inflicted by the Empire. These intense moments seemed strangely therapeutic for him, as he was finally able to vent, ultimately leading to a very sad outcome, as he was only releasing the pain that had been inflicted upon him.

What were the rehearsals like for that fight scene between you and Diego Luna?

For an extended duration, we practiced extensively. The longer-than-usual fight scene they decided to shorten was one of them. We filmed it over the course of three days, which, considering the insanely ambitious and demanding nature of that fight sequence towards the end of a two-week stretch dedicated to the Ghorman massacre, everyone was utterly drained. Yet, under the circumstances, it turned out to be ideal because the characters needed to be at their limits. Our aim was to portray Syril as an untamable feline that simply wouldn’t relent. In this transformation he undergoes, an unforeseen, primitive instinct emerges. It was a wild experience. We were shooting it in late January, which made it incredibly cold and intense, but we were determined. It’s all a bit of a haze, but I recall feeling both immense pain and profound happiness.

What was cut out?

In the course of their unexpectedly even fight, there was a moment of uncertainty as to whether Syril would still be standing when the explosion occurred or if he had already met his end. In normal circumstances, Cassian would have easily overpowered Syril. However, due to some mysterious power that Syril has acquired as a result of his recent experiences, the battle was close. The climax was delicately handled to determine who would ultimately gain the upper hand, and it was surprising when Syril managed to grab Cassian’s gun in the midst of their struggle. The final question posed to Syril was significant because it caused him to break down emotionally. When Cassian asked “who are you?”, Syril realized that his fixation on this person was unrequited, making the realization all the more painful. “Oh, my God. My obsession doesn’t even know who I am.” That moment must have been heart-wrenching for him.

What other lines was Cassian going to say to Syril at the end?

The list was brief: “You,” “it’s actually you,” and “Who are you exactly?” These words struck him hard at that instant. If Cassian had opted for “it’s you,” would Syril have found the strength to act or would he still have dropped his weapon? I can’t say for certain, but in relation to Syril’s character development, it perfectly encapsulates his journey of realizing that forces beyond his control are shaping this complex web of life and chaos. Despite our belief in making an impact, we often find ourselves as mere pawns in a larger game.

What would Syril have gone on to do if he had survived?

It’s unlikely that he would have participated in the conflict by joining any side. It seems more plausible that, much like someone leaving a cult or discovering they are living in a simulated world (like the Matrix), he would have felt disillusioned and sought solitude. Perhaps he would have chosen to retreat and start a business selling blue milk on some remote mountain peak, finding peace away from the chaos of war.

Here’s another hypothetical for you: If Syril and Dedra had switched places and he knew about the Empire’s plan, would he have told Dedra about it?

It’s interesting to consider if he could break, given their shared backgrounds and apparent similarities. However, Dedra seems to be deeply committed, almost fanatical in her beliefs. On the other hand, Syril appears influenced by propaganda and blind loyalty from a young age, much like the concept of “the banality of evil.” In terms of their inner strength, I believe Syril may have a slight edge. This is evident in his actions on Ghorman. I don’t think it’s simply due to credulity or innocence. Instead, it seems like there’s a chink in the armor he’s built around himself, a sign of potential weakness.

The Ghorman Massacre was filmed long ago, but watching it in today’s political climate with the Israel-Palestine conflict feels so eerily relevant. What is it like watching that scene now?

The item is quite weighty, leading me to reflect on the enduring nature of exceptional literature. Exceptional authors often delve into the past to illuminate the present, thereby foreshadowing the future. This was evident in George Lucas’s early work and can be seen in Tony’s current project, which examines the build-up to World War II. In essence, there’s nothing truly novel under the sun. Present “Andor” to an audience 50 years ago or 50 years from now, and I suspect that there would be places on Earth where it would resonate deeply because we continue to grapple with the same issues that have persisted throughout history. Regrettably, it’s not surprising that it feels remarkably relevant today; this is a testament to authentic writing that unearths our shared human desires, flaws, and emotions, challenging us to examine our relationships on this planet.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

2025-05-07 06:34