In Andor Season 2, Alan Tudyk reprises his role as K-2SO, the reprogrammed Imperial droid from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, appearing in select scenes that highlight his dry wit and loyalty to Cassian Andor. His limited role, as Tudyk discussed in a recent interview with The Playlist, was a deliberate choice to maintain the series’ intense, political-thriller tone while still delivering impactful moments for the fan-favorite character.
In that same interview, Tudyk shared intriguing details about the original version of his character’s death scene before reshoots altered the final cut. Tudyk’s revelations offer a glimpse into the creative evolution of the beloved Star Wars film and the changes that shaped its emotional impact.
Tudyk described the initial version of K-2SO’s demise, which differed significantly from the final heroic sacrifice seen in Rogue One. “My character died in a different way. He dies quickly and fast, he got shot helping Cassian, and Krennic shot him in the original with this big blaster, and he just blew me away. The last thing I did was drag Cassian and Jyn to safety,” Tudyk explained. In the theatrical release, K-2SO’s death is a pivotal moment, with the droid holding off Imperial forces to allow Cassian Andor and Jyn Erso to transmit the Death Star plans, emphasizing themes of sacrifice and heroism. The original scene, however, was more abrupt, with Director Krennic delivering the fatal shot.
The actor also reflected on the broader changes to Rogue One, noting that the film “was changing while we were shooting.” He acknowledged that such shifts are common in large-scale productions, stating, “It was bizarre, but it’s like that with many big movies and Rogue One wasn’t much different.” Tudyk expressed approval of the final version, appreciating how the reshoots enhanced the narrative. “I liked the changes. It didn’t change the tone drastically, but it just didn’t waste any opportunities,” he said, highlighting how the revisions gave each character a “hero moment” that underscored the film’s theme of sacrifice.
Tudyk added: “It was bizarre, but it’s like that with many big movies and Rogue One wasn’t much different.” He praised the reshoots, particularly Tony Gilroy’s contributions, stating, “Yes. Tony Gilroy’s rewrites made it more focused — trimming scenes, tightening scenes and focusing the hero’s journey of it all.” These changes gave each character a “hero moment” that reinforced the film’s theme of sacrifice.
Beyond the death scene, Tudyk revealed another alteration involving K-2SO’s dialogue with Jyn Erso. In the final cut, K-2SO delivers the line, “I think it’s a bad idea,” during a tense moment. However, Tudyk’s preferred version was more in line with the droid’s acerbic personality: “There’s one with Jyn Erso where in the movie I say, ‘I think it’s a bad idea.’ My favorite version of that line was, ‘No one likes you.’ I was surprised it wasn’t in the movie.” This quip, while not included, reflects K-2SO’s blunt humor, a trait that endeared the character to audiences.
Tudyk also discussed K-2SO’s role in Andor, the critically acclaimed Star Wars prequel series. He noted that an earlier version of the show, before Tony Gilroy’s involvement, featured a larger role for K-2SO. While disappointed by the reduced screen time, Tudyk praised the final product, describing Andor as “wholly different and so good.” He appreciated the series’ restrained use of K-2SO in its second season, which maintained the show’s grounded, political-thriller tone. “Too much K-2SO might change that tone,” he remarked, expressing gratitude for being part of a series he considers “historical in its quality as science fiction.”
The actor’s passion for the Star Wars universe extends beyond Rogue One and Andor. Tudyk expressed enthusiasm for reprising K-2SO in any format, stating, “If they called me tomorrow, I’d do more K-2, absolutely. Live-action, animation—anything.” He also touched on his recent voice work in James Gunn’s DC projects, including Superman and Creature Commandos, where he plays a robot named Gary and other characters. Tudyk’s versatility across franchises highlights his knack for bringing humor and depth to non-human roles.
Tudyk’s comments underscore the fluid nature of filmmaking, particularly in a franchise as expansive as Star Wars. The changes to K-2SO’s death scene and dialogue reflect the collaborative effort to refine Rogue One into a cohesive and emotionally resonant story. As Tudyk noted, the final version of the film and Andor successfully balance character moments with broader thematic goals, cementing K-2SO as a fan-favorite droid whose wit and loyalty continue to resonate.
Both seasons of Andor are currently streaming on Disney+ and Hulu, while Rogue One: A Star Wars Story remains available for fans to revisit K-2SO’s unforgettable contribution to the Star Wars saga.
