Andorshowrunner has credited Kathleen Kennedy with season 2’s surprise recast. InAndorseason 2, manyStar Warsfans were surprised to see thatSenator Bail Organa had been recast, now played by actor Benjamin Bratt. Now, showrunner Tony Gilroy has confirmed that this was the idea of Kennedy herself, adding to the list of things the Lucasfilm president did to help make one ofStar Wars' best shows a success.
Since 2002’sAttack of the Clones, Jimmy Smits had played Senator Bail Organa of Alderaan, friend and ally to Senators Padmé Amidala and Mon Mothma, future architect of the Rebel Alliance, and Princess Leia’s adoptive father. Not only did Smits also appear inRevenge of the SithandRogue One, but he also appeared in 2022’sObi-Wan Kenobiseries. However, when Smits couldn’t appear as Senator Organa inAndorseason 2 due to scheduling problems, the decision was made to recast the role. Likewise,Tony Gilroy has confirmed in an interview with Colliderthat the idea originated with Kathleen Kennedy.
Tony Gilroy Is Making Sure We Know How Important Kathleen Kennedy Was To Andor
“There’s No Show Without Her”
Tony Gilroy has made it clear in multiple interviews just how supportive Kathleen Kennedy was during both seasons ofAndor’sproduction.As such, the reveal about Bail Organa’s recast being her idea is just the latest confirmation:
“Ben Bratt. Totally Kathy. I was like, ‘What are we going to do?’ She was like, ‘Ben Bratt.’ I’m like, ‘Really? Wow. That’s fantastic.’ So, sometimes really big swings and really big suggestions.”
Previously, Tony Gilroy confirmed that there was very little they weren’t allowed to do or incorporate. This includes Kennedy approving heavier, more adult themes and concepts inAndorlike opening the series in a brothel, having Cassian Andor murder two law officers, and of course,Bix Caleen’s incredibly intense scenes inAndorseason 2with the Imperial officers who tried to take advantage of her.
Without question,it’s very clear that Tony Gilroy wantsStar Warsfans to know how valuable Kathleen Kennedy was toAndor, especially in light of all the online hate routinely thrown her way by very vocal parts of the fandom. Not every decision made for theStar Warsfranchise has to be universally loved (and it certainly isn’t). However, it’s nice to see a brilliant creative like Gilroy giving credit where credit is due, highlighting all the positives that Kennedy (a real person) has brought to the table withone of the franchise’s highest-ratedStar Warsprojects of all time.
Is Star Wars Finally Getting Over Its Fear Of Recasts?
This Could Be A Great Sign For The Future
Looking at this new Bail Organa example more closely, the reveal that the recast idea came from Kennedy herself is pretty intriguing as to what it might mean for the future of theStar Warsfranchise. After all, the Lucasfilm president had gone on record in the past stating her hesitation around recastingStar Warscharacters. This was especially true in the aftermath ofSolo: A Star Wars Storystarring Alden Ehrenreich as a younger Han Solo.
Solo’sunderperforming at the box office is likely a large reason why we’ve seen Lucasfilm gravitating to CGI and de-aging effects, particularly with Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker in the variousNew Republicshows.That said, perhaps the general positive response to Benjamin Bratt as Bail Organa inAndorwill give Lucasfilm greater confidence to try additional recasting in futureStar Warsprojects, granting them greater narrative freedoms. Coming off the heels ofMark Hamill recently sharing his disinterest in futureStar Warsappearances, perhaps the time for more prominent recasts will come sooner than we think.
