Andor stands out as one of the premier Star Wars productions ever brought to life by Lucasfilm. However, this ambitious endeavor comes with a significant financial investment.
A report from Forbes outlines that Disney’s expenditure for Andor has reached an impressive $645 million, with over $290 million allocated just for its second season. This staggering price sets a new benchmark for Star Wars projects, surpassing the previously high budget of over $400 million for Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
It’s anticipated that the cost of the second season may climb even higher, as the $290 million figure does not encompass the entirety of the filming expenses. Production for Andor kicked off in November 2022 but faced interruptions in the summer of 2023 due to industry strikes. Filming finally resumed in January 2024.
Andor serves as the backstory for Cassian Andor, a character initially introduced in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Played by Diego Luna, Cassian transitions from a petty thief to one of the leading spies for the Rebellion. The first season unfolds five years prior to the events of Rogue One, chronicling Andor’s transformation from a criminal figure into an espionage agent.
The cast of Andor boasts several talents, including Kyle Soller as Syril Karn, Adria Arjona from Hit Man as Bix Caleen, Stellan Skarsgård as Luthen Rael, Fiona Shaw as Maarva Andor, Denise Gough as Dedra Meero, and Genevieve O’Reilly as Mon Mothma.
The first season of Andor has received widespread acclaim, with Digital Trends noting it as a project that fundamentally altered the Star Wars narrative. The show earned three nominations for the Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series. Despite the accolades, Andor‘s inaugural season encountered challenges with lower viewership and audience interest than expected for a Star Wars title.
The second season of Andor is set to feature 12 episodes, spread across four blocks of three episodes, each representing a year in the timeline. This will be the concluding season of the series.
Mark your calendars: the second season of Andor will premiere on April 22, 2025, exclusively on Disney+.
