Star Wars: Andor Creator Supports Disney’s Choice to Remove F-Bomb
Tony Gilroy, the mastermind behind the acclaimed ‘Andor’ series, recently shared insights into a pivotal creative decision: the removal of the franchise’s first-ever F-bomb from the season 1 finale. In an intense scene where Maarva Andor, played by Fiona Shaw, urges Ferrix’s citizens to rebel against the Empire, her fierce declaration was altered from ‘F*** the Empire’ to ‘Fight the Empire’ under Disney’s influence. Gilroy elaborates on how this choice, initially seen as a compromise, ultimately preserved the show’s integrity by preventing controversy from eclipsing its groundbreaking narrative. Despite this tweak, ‘Andor’ remains a critical darling, praised for its mature take on the Star Wars universe. As anticipation builds for season 2, with promises of deeper character arcs and alignment with ‘Rogue One,’ fans are left wondering how these creative choices will shape the heroes’ fates.
#Andor #StarWars #TonyGilroy #Disney #FionaShaw #RogueOne
Quick Takeaways:
- Tony Gilroy, the creator of Andor, supported Disney’s decision to remove the franchise’s first F-bomb.
- The original script included Maarva Andor saying "F*** the Empire" in the Andor Season 1 finale.
- Disney preferred "Fight the Empire," and Gilroy agreed that this choice avoided unnecessary controversy.
- The scene retained its emotional weight despite the change.
- Andor continues to receive praise for its mature storytelling, with Season 2 currently in production.
Disney’s Decision to Censor Andor’s First F-Bomb
Tony Gilroy recently reflected on how Disney chose to remove a strong expletive from Andor’s first season finale. The original script had Maarva Andor delivering a powerful line—*"F*** the Empire."* However, Disney decided to alter it to "Fight the Empire", and Gilroy ultimately agreed with the choice.
A Discussion, Not a Dispute
Gilroy explained that the discussion surrounding the line was not a heated debate but rather a conversation about what made the most sense for the show and the broader Star Wars audience. While the creative team was open to pushing boundaries, there was an understanding that including the word could create unnecessary distractions.
The Power of the Scene Remained
Despite the adjustment, the moment remained impactful. Maarva’s speech still inspired the people of Ferrix to rise against the Empire. The shift in wording ensured that viewers focused on the message rather than the controversy that could have surrounded the use of the franchise’s first F-bomb.
Andor’s Continued Success and What’s Next
Since its premiere in 2022, Andor has been praised for its serious and character-driven approach to Star Wars. The show offers a grounded perspective on the galaxy far, far away, setting itself apart from other installments. With Season 2 on the way, Diego Luna hinted that the story will continue connecting Cassian Andor’s journey to the events of Rogue One, placing greater emphasis on key moments that shape his destiny.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the first F-bomb in Star Wars cut from Andor?
The creator of Andor, Tony Gilroy, revealed that Lucasfilm decided to remove Star Wars’ first-ever F-bomb to maintain the franchise’s established tone and rating. While the line was originally scripted and even filmed, the final decision aligned with keeping the series suitable for a broader audience.
What did Andor’s creator say about Lucasfilm removing the F-bomb?
Tony Gilroy stated that while the use of the F-bomb made sense in the scene, Lucasfilm’s decision to remove it was ultimately the right call. He acknowledged that Star Wars has a specific tone and audience expectations that needed to be maintained.
Was the F-bomb actually filmed for Andor?
Yes, the F-bomb was reportedly filmed as part of a scene in Andor. However, before the episode’s final release, Lucasfilm decided to replace it to align with the Star Wars franchise’s family-friendly standards.
Has Star Wars ever used strong language like the F-bomb before?
Star Wars has generally avoided strong profanity, sticking to mild language like “damn” and “hell.” The franchise has created its own sci-fi slang, like “karabast,” to express frustration while keeping the tone suitable for audiences of all ages.
How would the F-bomb have changed Andor’s tone?
The inclusion of the F-bomb could have added a grittier, more mature feel to Andor, a series already praised for its realistic and darker take on the Star Wars universe. However, its removal ensured the show still fit within the franchise’s overall family-friendly approach.
Will Star Wars ever allow stronger language in future projects?
While Star Wars has pushed the boundary with mature themes in projects like Andor, it’s unlikely that Lucasfilm will fully embrace strong language like the F-bomb. The franchise aims to remain accessible to a wide audience, which includes younger viewers.
Filipino Translation:
Sa isang recent na interview, sinabi ni Tony Gilroy, ang creator ng Star Wars series na Andor, na suportado niya ang desisyon ng Disney na tanggalin ang unang F-bomb ng franchise mula sa season 1 finale. Yung eksenang pinag-uusapan ay yung holo-recording ni Maarva Andor, na ginampanan ni Fiona Shaw, kung saan ini-inspire niya ang mga taga-Ferrix na lumaban sa Empire. Sa original na script, sinabi dapat ni Maarva na "F** the Empire,"* pero napalitan ito ng "Fight the Empire" dahil sa impluwensiya ng Disney.
Ayon kay Gilroy, hindi naman siya nagkaroon ng away o matinding debate tungkol sa desisyong 'yun—parang normal na usapan lang. Sinabi niya na naisip naman talaga nilang gumamit ng F-bomb, pero sa huli, naging tama naman ang naging call ng Disney. "That one word… It was always like, ‘we're going to put it in there, it kind of works, and here's why we think you should do it,’" kwento niya. Pero narealize din niya na baka maging distraction lang ito, mag-create ng unnecessary controversy, at matabunan pa yung ganda ng mismong show.
Kahit nagbago yung line, hindi naman naapektuhan yung impact ng scene, at talagang naging critically acclaimed ang Andor mula nang i-release ito noong 2022. Maraming pumuri sa serye dahil sa mas mature at character-focused nitong take sa Star Wars universe, na mas grounded at seryoso kumpara sa ibang entries ng franchise.
Right now, ongoing na ang preparations para sa season 2, at ayon kay Diego Luna—na gumaganap bilang Cassian Andor—mas magiging aligned ang mga characters sa mga tadhana nila gaya ng ipinakita sa Rogue One. Parang mas bibilis daw ang takbo ng kwento, lalo na pagdating sa mga key moments ng journey ng mga bida.
“They Were Right”: Andor Creator Addresses Lucasfilm Cutting Star Wars’ First F-Bomb was first published here.
