'Andor' Creator Says Fan-Favorite Cameo Would Have Been 'Lame'
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors
The "Andor" series finale has come and gone, and, as some fans have noted, without any appearances by Felicity Jones as Jyn Erso. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, "Andor" creator Tony Gilroy didn't mince words about why the character didn't show up. He said bringing her in for a cameo would have felt "lame" and "disrespectful."
Read More: Top 5 'Buffy' Character Returns We Need in the Reboot
"In the end, I realized if people didn't absolutely have to be there, they shouldn't," Gilroy said about Jyn Erso's absence. "And it would've been lame to bring Jyn back as a cameo. That would've been really disrespectful in a way. I'd rather honor 'Rogue' and keep it straight."
Andor (Diego Luna) in Lucasfilm's ANDOR Season 2, exclusively on Disney+. ©2025 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.
Andor (Diego Luna) in Lucasfilm's ANDOR Season 2, exclusively on Disney+. ©2025 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.
Lucasfilm Ltd™
If you know the timeline of "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" compared to that of "Andor", it does seem unnatural to try to shove Jyn Erso into it. "Andor" ends just the titular hero and K-2SO flying off to meet the doomed spy Tivic. That's well before the pair of them meet Jyn.
Gilroy told EW he felt strongly enough about it that he never even considered including Erso. Asked about it, Gilroy said, "No. I was asked that several times. I tried to sketch some versions along the way of what we would do. Episode 12 is very unique. It's its own energy and we are not trying to hype anything in 12. We always knew it was going to be not a low energy, but a different kind of episode."
Indeed, the final episode of "Andor" is not filled with a lot of action. After an early battle between K-2SO and the ISB, it goes mainly into resolution mode until Andor and K-2 head off to find Tivic.
Of the very end of the episode, which sees Bix carrying the child she had with Andor, Gilroy said, "I mean, people who thought [Jyn Erso] was the love of his life are going to have to reorient their thinking."
"Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" unfolds after the events of "Andor", and sadly, neither Andor, Jyn Erso, nor any of the story's main heroes survive the events. It deals with the heroes. In the climax of the film, the heroes sacrifice themselves to upload the plans for the Death Star to the Rebel Alliance, thus beginning the events of "Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope".
Both "Andor" and "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" are currently streaming on Disney+.
More TV:
Sarah Michelle Gellar Debunks 'Buffy' Reboot Casting Rumors
'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' Season 3 Sets Premiere Date
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Newsweek
Who Will Be the Love Island USA Season 7 Winners? Favorites and Odds
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. As Love Island USA prepares to crown its Season 7 winners, four couples remain in contention for the $100,000 prize, and Newsweek reveals the odds and favorites. Sunday night's finale follows a chaotic summer of unexpected exits, revived romances and headline-grabbing controversies that have defined the most-watched season of the reality show on Peacock. The remaining couples are: Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales, Huda Mustafa and Chris Seeley, Iris Kendall and Jose "Pepe" Garcia-Gonzalez and Olandria Carthen and Nic Vansteenberghe. Each bring unique dynamics and fanbases to the final showdown. Why It Matters Love Island USA has emerged as a flagship franchise for Peacock, NBC Universal calling it the platform's most viewed entertainment series on mobile devices. The season's resonance with viewers stems not just from romance and drama, but from moments that went viral, including Amaya's "Amaya Papaya" sing-along, and real-life fallout, such as Cierra Ortega's departure following backlash over resurfaced social media posts containing racial slurs. The stakes extend beyond prize money, as contestants increasingly view the show as a launchpad for influencer careers and media spin-offs, including the upcoming Love Island: Beyond the Villa. What To Know Amaya and Bryan are the frontrunners. Bryan has the strongest odds to win among male contestants at -340, while Amaya leads the female field with identical -340 odds, according to OddsChecker. Their chemistry and timing in the final episodes have cemented them as the betting favorites. Bryan's support for Amaya, saying "coming from a Hispanic household, calling someone babe, mi amor, mi vida, that's just how we talk," resonated with fans. Amaya Espinal, left, and Bryan Arenales from the reality series "Love Island USA." Amaya Espinal, left, and Bryan Arenales from the reality series "Love Island USA." AP Olandria and Nic have the second-best odds at +560 for both individuals. Despite their unconventional route to the final—returning to the villa after being previously dumped—their story of reconnection has drawn a dedicated fan base. Olandria Carthen, left, and Nicolas "Nic" Vansteenberghe from the reality series "Love Island USA." Olandria Carthen, left, and Nicolas "Nic" Vansteenberghe from the reality series "Love Island USA." AP Huda and Chris are longer shots, with odds of +800 and +830, respectively. Their late-season recoupling and recent disagreements during the show's baby challenge have left their outcome uncertain, despite Chris saying, "She helps me kind of get out of my head and I help her true self." Chris Seeley, left, and Huda Mustafa from the reality series "Love Island USA." Chris Seeley, left, and Huda Mustafa from the reality series "Love Island USA." AP Iris and Pepe round out the field at +870 apiece. Though they only paired up recently, their transition from friendship to romance has appealed to some viewers. Pepe described it as "comfortable" and hinted at deeper potential. Iris Kendall, left, and Jose "Pepe" Garcia-Gonzalez from the reality series "Love Island USA." Iris Kendall, left, and Jose "Pepe" Garcia-Gonzalez from the reality series "Love Island USA." AP These odds underscore how viewer sentiment and late-season developments are swaying predictions ahead of Sunday night's finale. What People Are Saying Arenales said during a confessional interview: "I always stress that as I get older, it's important to be with someone that keeps you young. I definitely think Amaya is that type of person." Seeley said: "I think me and (Mustafa) are actually really good for each other. She helps me kind of get out of my head and I help her, you know, be her true self and I calm her down in moments where she gets emotional or heated." Garcia-Gonzalez said: "With Iris, it just feels comfortable. I think it's that whole, you know, you're friends to start and then maybe it can become something else." Carthen said: "For our journey to be almost identical is mind-blowing to me. I can't wrap my head around this situation. Maybe it was Nic this whole time and we've just been so oblivious to it." What Happens Next The finale airs Sunday at 9:00 p.m. ET on Peacock, with one couple poised to win the cash, and potentially a lasting relationship.
Gizmodo
21 hours ago
- Gizmodo
Rian Johnson Feels Fine About ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker'
The changeover from Star Wars: The Last Jedi to The Rise of Skywalker had everyone feeling some type of way, and it continues to this day. Was J.J. Abrams spitefully undoing Rian Johnson's work in Jedi, or are the two more in conversation with one another than they appear? In Johnson's eyes, it's the latter, and something he harbors no ill will about. While chatting with Rolling Stone about Poker Face's just-wrapped second season, he revealed he had 'a great time' watching Skywalker and didn't feel precious about how things shook out. 'I didn't feel resentful in some way,' he said. 'In my perspective, J.J. did the same thing with the third that I did with the second, which is not digging it up and undoing — just telling the story the way that was most compelling going forward. That means not just validating what came before, but recontextualizing it and evolving and changing as the story moves forward.' For those who do have problems with Skywalker, or any Star Wars film, Johnson advised you check YouTube. (Assuming you already haven't.) Despite some online backlash to Jedi, it seemed Lucasfilm wanted to keep Johnson on board, at one point giving him the keys to a whole Star Wars trilogy. But he says he only got as far as concepting ideas with Kathleen Kennedy when he caught the murder mystery bug. After 'Knives Out happened,' he was tapped to make two sequels— the third film, Wake Up Dead Man, is due in December—and found time to do Poker Face for Peacock. At the moment, he's 'perfectly happy' making his own stuff, but he also reiterated what he's said before: if there's ever a chance to make that trilogy or anything else Star Wars-related, he'll gladly take it. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Newsweek
Dog Found With Horrific Injuries To Back, Camera Captures Life Now
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A viral TikTok video with 8.4 million views shows the heartbreaking rescue of a black pit bull found with severe wounds on his back—so severe that his skin was peeling away. The dog's new owner was on his way to trucking school in June when he came across the injured canine. "No one was able to take him so I decided I would because I couldn't just leave him there," he told Newsweek. "So on my lunch I took him home, gave him something to eat and gave him a bath. "Since then I've been feeding him, cleaning his wound and giving him TLC and he's pretty much made a full recovery." (L-R) A close up of Dune's back and face. (L-R) A close up of Dune's back and face. TikTok/@dunetherescuepup The viral video shared to @dunetherescuepup shows the initial state of the dog called Dune's back and a more recent clip of the healing wounds. Although the skin has improved, the fur has yet to return. "He's still timid at times when going outside but he loves his new home and I love him too," the owner added. Animal cruelty includes intentional acts such as animal fighting, bestiality, and physical abuse (beating, burning, poisoning, or torturing), with some abusers harming pets to control humans. An estimated 10 million animals die from abuse or cruelty every year in the United States, according to the Shelter Animals Count. While most states have felony-level cruelty laws, many exempt activities like research, euthanasia, farming, hunting, pest control, and rodeos. The National District Attorneys Association states animal neglect involves failing to meet basic needs, including abandonment, lack of food or shelter, medical neglect, hoarding, and puppy mills. Although all states prohibit neglect, cases can be hard to detect and prosecute, especially large-scale ones. Investigating cruelty and neglect is complex due to the need for circumstantial and forensic evidence, financial burdens of seizing animals, and strong community reactions, requiring specialized resources and training for prosecutors. Two screenshots from the viral video showing more recent footage of Dune; his back is healing and has scabbed over. Two screenshots from the viral video showing more recent footage of Dune; his back is healing and has scabbed over. TikTok/@dunetherescuepup So far, the internet is horrified by the viral video of Dune that has 1 million likes and more than 13,000 comments. "I can't even look at the poor baby, I can feel his pain," said one user "What evil did this to him. God poor little one," said another comment with 43,000 likes, at the time of writing. "He must've been in so much pain yet his tail was still wagging, poor boy," said a third user. Indeed, dogs can remember past trauma, but with time, patience, and compassion, they often learn to trust and love again.
