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A new article indicates that the new co-president of Lucasfilm, Dave Filoni, was not satisfied with ‘Andor,’ a series that has won awards and has already caused discussions and debates in the Star Wars fandom. The news, which was reported by The Wrap, comes to us just as Filoni is about to assume a major role in the creative leadership of the renowned studio. This purported personal opinion has divided the audience into two groups: one group that doubts it and another group that is afraid of the franchise’s future.
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Let’s be honest about this for a second. In truth, Dave Filoni is regarded as the absolute creator of the universe in case of Star Wars. The genius behind ‘The Clone Wars,’ ‘Rebels,’ and ‘Ahsoka’ is now given a co-president role at Lucasfilm. So, when an article comes out claiming that he ‘disliked’ the ‘Andor’ series, it not only raises one eyebrow but it also triggers a galactic meltdown on the internet.
Nevertheless, the fact is that ‘Andor’ is a different story. It is a very realistic, intense, political spy thriller without any Jedi or lightsabers in sight. Just the excruciatingly slow and painful birth of a rebellion. It has received the highest acclaim from critics and is considered by many as the best storytelling in the whole franchise. Hence, the thought of the guy who is now sharing the directing power with the company being uninterested in it? It is a very big deal.
The online reactions, however, were very prompt and very powerful, and a large number of people simply called the report false. One user was extremely blunt, calling the post “bait” and implying that Filoni has “publicly stated he loved Andor.” They accused the account of being the “false information” propagandist and wrapped up with, “You guys are LOSERS.” The rebuttal was indeed very robust.
On the contrary, some saw it as a warning sign. One user expressed his dismay by saying, “Oh my god, He did not like the best series of Star wars? RIP.” A younger voice concurred with this disheartenment saying, “This guy is a disaster for live action Star Wars, he contradicts the canon, we are through.” The fear is at its peak—that the Filoni era might drive away the mature, subtle tone that ‘Andor’ had so expertly crafted.
The saga also portrays the typical division among the fans. The news revived the never-ending debate: what is Star Wars? A series supporter opposed the critics by saying, “I doubt your intelligence more than I do the series if you see Andor as boring. I am guessing people with this view don’t read Star Wars novels at all or read.” Ouch. But it reveals the battle between those who want to dig deeper into the lore and the ones who are just happy with the usual, action-packed, and visually stunning view.
Another comment expressed a more critical, though not entirely disappointed, viewpoint. “Objectively speaking: Andor’s numbers weren’t great,” they said. “So, no matter how high quality we those who watched think of it, we can’t pretend it’s a huge success. Also, for many, star wars needs Mando, Jedi, Sith, etc. to be worth watching not Political drama in space.” It is a cold, business-like position that admits the show’s quality has not necessarily attracted a mass audience.
In the midst of the chaos, some people made jokes in an attempt to keep things light-hearted. One user wittily commented, “God forbid a white boy wants to see a Jedi,” directly hit the mark of the audience’s inclination. Another one jokingly said, “Not surprised, there weren’t any Ahsoka cameos or no Ahsoka visuals,” a remark that mocks the Filoni’s own aesthetic preferences.
The main question that hangs over all this is simple: is it true? Many responses have declared that it is a rumor, with one person pointing others to an interview clip: “yeah that’s a lie by the way here’s what he really thinks of Andor.” Until Filoni gives his side of the story, the report will remain an unfounded spark in a very dry tinderbox of fan opinion.
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Yet, one thing is certain, ‘Andor’ is a turning point in Star Wars storytelling. Whether or not the supposed distaste of Dave Filoni for it is true has made it a proxy war for the very soul of the franchise. Do the future works to come reflect the complicated nature, sophisticated adult drama or these will be the legendary, Force-wielding adventures that Filoni prefers. That is the internal struggle he will have to manage from the moment he steps into the Lucasfilm door.