‘Andor’ Showrunner Denies Rumor That Dave Filoni Dislikes His Show

Since Dave Filoni was named co-runner of Lucasfilm, fans have speculated about the franchise’s creative future—and whether tensions exist between Filoni and Andor showrunner Tony Gilroy. A persistent rumor is that Filoni dislikes Andor. Gilroy says those rumors are unfounded.

Setting the Record Straight

Gilroy recently sat down for an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. The outlet brought up a recent report from The Wrap which said Filoni was not a fan of Andor. It noted that Lucasfilm had denied the rumors, adding that in 2023 Filoni had praised the show. At the time, Filoni said, “Tony [Gilroy] did such a brilliant job with Andor. They’re just fantastic stories, and it’s great that it broadens the type of story that people can expect from Star Wars.”

LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 08: Dave Filoni onstage during the Ahsoka panel at the Star Wars Celebration 2023 in London at ExCel on April 08, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Kate Green/Getty Images for Disney)

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However, rumors of tensions have persisted. A 2025 thread from the r/StarWars subreddit debated the differing styles and tones of Andor and Filoni’s The Mandalorian. As the discussion grew increasingly heated, some began wondering whether a similar divide existed between the two creators.

THR offered Gilroy the opportunity to address the speculation directly.

“We’ve only met a couple times, and we’ve only had a half-a-dozen conversations over the last 10 years,” Gilroy said. “We only have our show because of them, and we’ve always said that was true. There’s no Andor without The Mandalorian. It would not exist. So it has never been anything but cordial and pleasant, ever, ever, ever, ever.”

Rather than signaling division, Gilroy’s comments suggested that building the Star Wars universe is a collaborative effort with room for different approaches.

Building the Disney+ Era

While The Mandalorian is set chronologically before the events of Andor, its release paved the way for a different kind of approach within the Star Wars universe. The first season was a success on Disney+ and proved that a live-action series could draw a substantial audience. It was also an important step in Disney and Lucasfilm’s broader strategy to expand the franchise and experiment with new narrative styles.

A clip from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story – Disney+

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As Andor served as a direct prequel to Star Wars: Rogue One, the fate of Cassian was already established, making the story something of an inevitable tragedy. It stood in stark contrast to the lighter escapism of The Mandalorian. However, the two seasons of Andor were generally well-received, despite its dark and gritty tone.

Leadership Speculation and Fan Projection

Speculation about leadership has only intensified the rumor cycle. In 2025, Forbes suggested Gilroy might be an ideal successor to Kathleen Kennedy, while also noting he was unlikely to pursue a long-term Star Wars role. Such commentary may have fueled fan assumptions of rivalry—even in the absence of evidence.

(L-R): Tony Gilroy and Diego Luna on the set of Lucasfilm’s ANDOR, exclusively on Disney+. ©2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

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In an era when franchise storytelling is closely tied to corporate leadership and long-term brand strategy, even minor stylistic differences can be interpreted as ideological divides. Social media often amplifies those assumptions, transforming creative variety into perceived conflict.

Any perception that Filoni—a George Lucas protégé often viewed as a Star Wars purist—disliked Andor may have stemmed from assumptions that he opposed its creative direction or felt overshadowed by Gilroy’s acclaim. With Gilroy’s remarks on record, the narrative of behind-the-scenes rivalry appears to rest more on fan projection than fact.

Do you think Dave Filoni disliks Andor? How did you feel about the show? Sound off in the comments!

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