Star Wars' New TV Show Is About To Make A Massive Fix To Canon, Promises Showrunner
Andor showrunner Tony Gilroy has confirmed his upcoming Star Wars TV show will fix a major problem in canon, even factoring in the old Star Wars Expanded Universe. The first season of Andor was deliberately something of a standalone, with a surprising absence of Easter eggs that left many viewers - used to untold cameos - rather taken aback. Andor season 2 moves into a part of the Star Wars timeline that's rather more well-trod, even touched upon in Star Wars Rebels, and it's going to navigate continuity rather differently.
Speaking in the latest issue of Empire Magazine, showrunner Tony Gilroy explained how he's handled this:
"The highlights [of the Star Wars canon] are on the calendar... There are certain things that we are beholden to, and [others] that are really great opportunities for us. [The massacre at] Ghorman is a big opportunity. Everybody knows that Mon Mothma leaves the Senate because of Ghorman. At the same time, there isn't a single thing written about Ghorman. Ghorman's a blank slate. There's no consistency between what Legends says about it, and a lot of conflicts within the canon itself. So we honor the calendar, and we've made our choices. Some are sneaky, some are bold, some are right in your face. Everybody at Lucasfilm knows what we've been doing, we haven't had any arguments. We've straightened some stuff out, I hope."
The Ghorman Massacre Is One Of The Mysteries Of Star Wars Canon
We're About To Learn The Truth
The Ghorman Massacre is one of the Empire's worst atrocities in both Legends and canon, and it's set to be explored over no less than five episodes in Andor season 2. In Legends, the Ghorman Massacre was first mentioned in a sourcebook all the way back in 1990, and the events were eventually detailed: in 18 BBY, early in the Empire's history, then-Captain Tarkin chose to land his vessel on peaceful protesters, killing hundreds. It was an early sign of the Empire's evil.
In canon, though, the Ghorman Massacre happens two years before A New Hope - and it leads to Mon Mothma leaving the Empire. This was most explicitly described in Star Wars Rebels, which explored the immediate aftermath of the Ghorman Massacre and featured Mon Mothma's stirring speech - the declaration of rebellion. It's anybody's guess how Gilroy is going to fix these continuity issues, but his reference to the calendar suggests he's well aware of every contradiction.
This Is The Best Way To Tell A Star Wars Story
Continuity Is A Tool, Not A Problem
Continuity is a core part of any shared universe. Sometimes it feels restrictive, but Gilroy has taken a different approach; he's identified the opportunities, the elements that open up story possibilities. This is such a refreshing approach for Star Wars, reminiscent of that taken by the old Expanded Universe (now Legends). It makes Andor season 2 even more exciting for long-term fans.
Source: Empire Magazine
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