ANDOR’S $650 MILLION BUDGET SETS A STAR WARS RECORD, BUT DON’T EXPECT A REPEAT
In an unprecedented move within the Star Wars franchise, showrunner Tony Gilroy lifts the curtain on “Andor,” revealing its jaw-dropping $650 million budget for two seasons, surpassing even the most lavish Star Wars films. Grants of creative freedom allowed Gilroy to shape this ambitious vision, offering fans an intense narrative without studio interference—an empowering yet risky position. However, amidst this freedom, a budget battle loomed, as Disney’s changing strategy declared, “Streaming is dead.” Without the financial prowess previously enjoyed, Gilroy fought tirelessly to preserve the high standards set in the inaugural season. As fans revel in the series’ brilliance, the looming question remains: Will Disney ever greenlight such a bold investment again, or is this level of grandeur a fleeting spectacle in Star Wars history?
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Quick Takeaways:
- Tony Gilroy confirmed Andor cost Disney $650 million for two seasons, more than most Star Wars films.
- He said he experienced complete creative freedom during the series’ development.
- By Season 2, Disney began pulling back on streaming budgets across the board.
- This level of creative freedom and financial investment likely won’t happen again for similar projects.
A Record-Breaking Budget
Tony Gilroy, showrunner for Andor, has confirmed what had only been speculated: Disney spent $650 million on the two seasons of the Star Wars series. With its 24 episodes, Andor holds the distinction of being one of the most expensive television productions ever attempted—surpassing even the budgets of many Star Wars feature films.
Creative Freedom, With Limits
Gilroy revealed that during the production of all 24 episodes, he “never took a note.” This suggests he was given an unusual amount of creative control—something rare for a franchise managed with such care. Still, Gilroy stressed that the autonomy came with high expectations. “That freedom comes with responsibilities,” he noted.
Budget Tightening in Season 2
Although Andor began under more generous circumstances, things shifted. Gilroy said the tone at Disney changed between seasons, pointing to broader financial pressures across the streaming industry. “In Season 2, they said, ‘Streaming is dead, we don’t have the money we had before,’” he explained. While costs were under more scrutiny, the show was never scaled back from a creative standpoint. “They never cleaned anything up,” he added in reference to production or scripting changes.
Unlikely to Be Repeated
Andor may represent a unique moment—one in which Disney gambled big on streaming prestige. Given the cost and shifting corporate strategy, Gilroy's experience may not be replicated for future Star Wars series. The combination of budget freedom and minimal executive oversight is increasingly rare as the company reevaluates long-term streaming investments.
Although fans and critics praised Andor for its grounded storytelling and high production quality, the show's massive price tag sets it apart from anything else in the franchise—and possibly from anything that follows.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did the ‘Andor’ TV series cost to make?
‘Andor’ reportedly cost around $650 million to produce, making it one of the most expensive television series ever created.
Why did ‘Andor’ have such a high production budget?
The high cost of ‘Andor’ was largely due to its cinematic quality, extensive set construction, location shooting, and the use of cutting-edge visual effects and production technology.
Will Disney make another show like ‘Andor’ with a similar budget?
Given the immense cost of ‘Andor,’ it’s unlikely Disney will greenlight another Star Wars series with a comparable budget anytime soon unless it guarantees strong returns.
What makes ‘Andor’ different from other Star Wars series?
‘Andor’ stands out for its mature tone, complex storytelling, and grounded approach, focusing more on character development and political intrigue than traditional Star Wars action.
Did ‘Andor’ get good reviews despite its high cost?
Yes, ‘Andor’ received critical acclaim for its writing, performances, and production quality, with many fans and critics calling it one of the best Star Wars shows to date.
How many episodes are in the ‘Andor’ series?
The first season of ‘Andor’ has 12 episodes, with a second season in production to complete the series arc.
Filipino Translation:
Grabe, confirmed na ni Andor showrunner Tony Gilroy 'yung chismis dati — umabot pala ng $650 million 'yung gastos ng Disney para sa dalawang seasons ng Star Wars series na Andor. Ang laki ng budget, mas malaki pa kaysa sa mga Star Wars movies mismo! Sabi pa ni Gilroy, “For 24 episodes, I never took a note,” ibig sabihin, sobrang laya siya creatively habang ginagawa ang show. Pero dagdag niya rin, "That freedom comes with responsibilities."
Kung ikukumpara mo sa iba pang Star Wars series, wala talagang tatalo sa budget ng Andor — sobrang out of league siya. Na-share din ni Gilroy kung paano nagbago 'yung approach ng Disney habang ginagawa 'yung show: “In Season 2, they said, ‘Streaming is dead, we don’t have the money we had before,’ so we fought hard about money, but they never cleaned anything up.”
Mukhang rare na experience 'to for Gilroy. Combo kasi ng super taas na budget at creative freedom — parang 'di na 'to uulitin ng Disney ngayon na inaayos na nila 'yung strategy nila pagdating sa streaming. Kaya kahit sobrang solid talaga ng Andor para sa fans, malamang 'yung mga susunod na Star Wars shows eh mas tipid na ang production.
‘Andor’ Showrunner Confirms It Cost $650 Million, So Good Luck Doing That Again was first published here.
