Today at the Walt Disney Company’s Investor Day event, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy announced an impressive number of exciting Disney+ series and new feature films destined to expand the “Star Wars,” galaxy like never before. Some of it you’ve heard about by now, Hayden Christiensen returning to the “Obi-Wan” series, a whole bunch of new Disney+ series by directors like Dave Filoni, Jon Favreau, Leslye Headland, Justin Simien, and feature films by Taiki Waititi and Patty Jenkins. Being the completists we are, there is a bit more news, including info on the upcoming Cassian Andor series.
Now titled, “Andor,” the series, showrun and created by Tony Gilroy (“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” and the architect of the ‘Bourne‘ series and the director of “The Bourne Legacy“) is shooting now in London and is expected Christmas 2022.
READ MORE: Tony Gilroy Finally Talks The “Terrible Troubled Mess” Of Star Wars’ ‘Rogue One’
Lucasfilm described “Andor” as a “tense, nail-biting spy thriller created by Tony Gilroy,” and it will be 12 episodes long– much longer than most of these shows typically run. Diego Luna, reprising the role of rebel spy Cassian Andor from “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” will be joined by a fantastic new cast that includes Stellan Skarsgård, Adria Arjona, Fiona Shaw, Denise Gough, Kyle Soller, and Genevieve O’Reilly as Mon Mothma. None of those names are really new, but at least they’re all confirmed now.
Given the events of “Rogue One” (aka Andor dies at the end), the series needs to take place a few years prior. One hopes a younger version of characters like Forest Whitaker‘s Saw Gerrera and other characters from the animated series–“Star Wars Rebels” takes place around the same time– appear as well. Writers on the series include Gilroy, his filmmaker writer/director brother Dan Gilroy (“Nightcrawler“) and Beau Willimon (“House Of Cards“). Lucasfilm also put together a little sizzle reel from production, including some concept art and actors behind the scenes.
READ MORE: ‘Cassian Andor’: Adria Arjona Cast As A Lead In ‘Rogue One’ Prequel Series
Lucasfilm also revealed the trailer for the new animated series that follows the team, The Bad Batch. “Star Wars: The Bad Batch“ follows the elite and experimental clones of the Bad Batch (first introduced in “The Clone Wars”) as they find their way in a rapidly changing galaxy in the immediate aftermath of the Clone War. Members of Bad Batch—a unique squad of clones who vary genetically from their brothers in the Clone Army—each possess a singular, exceptional skill that makes them extraordinarily effective soldiers and a formidable crew. In the post-Clone War era, they will take on daring mercenary missions as they struggle to stay afloat and find a new purpose. This animated series will arrive exclusively on Disney+ sometime in 2021.
There was one small confirmation: a brand-new Star Wars feature from acclaimed filmmaker and Academy Award® winner Taika Waititi (“Thor Ragnarok”) is in development. “Taika’s approach to Star Wars will be fresh, unexpected, and…unique,” said Kathleen Kennedy. “His enormous talent and sense of humor will ensure that audiences are in for an unforgettable ride.” No word on a release date for it.
READ MORE: Taika Waititi Being Sought By Lucasfilm To Make A ‘Star Wars’ Movie
Finally, you’re probably caught up on “The Mandalorian,” but you have to hand it to the editors of this season two sizzle reel; it is outstandingly edited and crafted. Only two more episodes left to go.