In a recent interview, ‘Andor’ creator Tony Gilroy disclosed that a planned horror-themed episode for Season 2, focusing on the introduction of K-2SO, was ultimately scrapped due to budgetary constraints.
The episode, penned by Gilroy’s brother and fellow writer Dan Gilroy, was envisioned as a self-contained story resembling a monster movie. It would have featured a KX-series droid, akin to K-2SO, hunting on a stranded tanker ship, delivering a suspenseful and intense narrative. However, the financial demands of producing such an episode proved too great, leading to its cancellation.
“Dan wrote an amazing, entirely self-contained episode that was like a horror movie,” Tony Gilroy explained. “But we couldn’t afford to do it. It was made clear that it was out of range, so we had to abandon that and consolidate things.”
The decision to cut the episode reflects broader shifts in the streaming industry’s economics. While Season 1 of ‘Andor’ benefited from generous budgets, the landscape changed by Season 2, with studios adopting more cost-conscious approaches. Gilroy noted, “The whole dynamic and the economics of everything changed between season 1 and season 2.”
SPOILERS AHEAD! If you have not seen Andor Season 2 episode 9, do not continue beyond this point. You have been warned!
Despite the episode’s cancellation, K-2SO’s introduction was not abandoned. Instead, his arrival was integrated into a different episode, aligning with the departure of another character, Bix. This transition was seen as a pivotal moment, signaling a shift in the show’s dynamic.
Gilroy emphasized the importance of timing in introducing K-2SO, stating, “We have to wait really as long as we can until we introduce him.” He acknowledged that while some, including actor Alan Tudyk who voices K-2SO, were initially disappointed by the delay, the creative team aimed to make his eventual introduction meaningful and impactful.
The scrapped horror episode remains an intriguing “what if” in the ‘Star Wars’ universe, offering a glimpse into the creative directions explored during the development of ‘Andor.’
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