Andor Season 2 is shaping up, and the filming has now wrapped up, as confirmed by the series’ star Diego Luna. The series is now leading into the events of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story as Cassian Andor has joined the Rebel Alliance after the uprising on Ferrix. But as everyone prepares for the show’s return, Rogue One star Ben Mendelsohn confirmed he won't be reprising his role as Orson Callan Krennic in the series.
Krennic played a major role in Rogue One by leading the development of the Death Star and forcing scientist Galen Erso and others to develop the ultimate weapon of the Galactic Empire. With the movie’s connection to Andor Season 2, getting closer to the culmination of the story that will lead directly to the group of rebels who work together to steal the plans for the Death Star, many thought Mendelsohn would be part of it. Sadly, this won't happen.
In an interview with the Italian publication Bad Taste, the actor revealed that Lucasfilm had not called him for a new project. Though the 54-year-old is aware that his character still has much to give, nothing has come to fruition yet.
He explained:
I think Krennic has a tremendous amount of things left to give to the audience... As for being contacted by Lucasfilm for a new project, I can tell you that no, I have not been approached for something like this. And yes, it would be great to see him again somewhere, but for now, everything stops here. But as far as I'm concerned, I would be very willing to explore it further and significantly in that world.
Will Orson Callan Krennic return to the Star Wars universe?
Krennic debuted in Rogue One. As the director of the Imperial Military Department of Advanced Weapons Research, he’s responsible for developing and constructing the Empire’s Death Star superweapon. Though he was killed in the Battle of Scarif and Rebllion’s heist to steal the Death Star plans, he had built an important arc in the canon.
He was a standout student in the Republic’s Future Program; a good friend to Erson, though he later betrayed him; started developing the Death Star for the Republic; had a troubled attempt on the Geonosis; and showed a serious effort after joining the Imperial ranks. With these stories that could be explored, there’s no reason for Krennic not to return to any Star Wars projects. In fact, Mendelsohn himself is open to returning to the Star Wars universe.
“What we need to understand about a character like Krennic is that, if he had had the chance, he would have tried to take over the entire game, and it seems to me that this aspect has not yet been explored sufficiently,” he said. “I would be very willing to explore it further and significantly in that world.”
By the looks of it, Andor Season 2 is the perfect time for Krennic to return, given its connection to Rogue One. But as Mendelsohn already confirmed his non-appearance, it gives a character a low chance of making a major comeback.
What Andor Season 2 is about?
Though details about Andor Season 2 are scarce, it’s expected to feature the meeting between Cassian and Mon Mothma and explore the latter’s move to hide from the Emperor while building the Rebellion. It may also see the works behind the development of the Rebel Alliance and tell the origin story of the droid K-2SO.
The new season may also feature Yavin 4, the jungle planet that serves as the base where the Rebel Alliance operates in Rogue One and the first Star Wars film, Episode IV – A New Hope. However, fans should only take these assumptions with a grain of salt, as Lucasfilm hasn’t confirmed anything yet.
So far, there are no words yet on when Andor Season 2 will be released, but it’s expected to arrive on Disney+ in 2025. As the series just ended its production, it still has a lot of post-production processes to go through for its special effects since the series uses practical sets and location shoots instead of Lucasfilm's Volume technology.
