Andor is considered one of the best entries in the Star Wars franchise, especially on the streaming side of things. In the recent past, Star Wars shows have failed to connect with audiences, making the upcoming second season of Andor highly anticipated. During a convention, lead star Diego Luna teased plans for the second installment and its connection to Rogue One.
However, despite the excitement for season 2, Andor might already be doomed, especially after The Acolyte‘s poor fan reception. The High Republic era series has failed to impress the viewers, with criticism aimed at its woke plot points and supposed mishandling of the franchise’s extensive lore. Here is how The Acolyte‘s failure might gravely affect the fate of Andor.
Diego Luna Teases How Andor Season 2 Links to Rogue One
Actor Diego Luna plays the role of Cassian Andor, which he originated in the 2016 film Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The film is considered one of the best entries in the franchise since The Empire Strikes Back, with the streaming series Andor serving as a prequel to its events.
During an appearance at Superhero Comic Con 2024, Luna teased how Andor season 2 will inevitably connect to Rogue One. The actor stated (via @AgentsFandom):
Rogue One is coming, so there will be characters there that you’ll recognize, and there will be cool stuff!
Luna further revealed that the second installment would feature a time jump every three episodes. As a result, the actor seemingly confirmed that the new episodes will also be divided into smaller three-episode arcs, much like the first installment.
At the same time, Luna teased that fans will get to see a fresh perspective on the events leading up to Rogue One. The film ends with Andor and most of his rebel group perishing after stealing the plans for the Empire’s Death Star. Therefore, it will be interesting to see how Andor season 2 sets up its hero’s ultimate sacrifice.
Disney’s The Acolyte’s Mistake Means Andor Season 2 Might Already Be Doomed
The first season of Andor was a critical success, earning rave reviews and three Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Therefore, fans were hyped for the second season despite the relatively low viewership of the series. In contrast, the reactions to The Acolyte, the most recent addition to the Star Wars universe from creator Leslye Headland have been nothing short of abysmal.
The series currently has an extremely low audience approval rating of 14% on Rotten Tomatoes. It has been criticized for its inclusion of LGBTQ+ themes, which fans have openly shared their dislike for on social media. Similarly, the series has been criticized for breaking the existing lore, especially messing up with Anakin Skywalker and his connection to the Chosen One prophecy.
Irrespective of these claims, several viewers also found the show poorly written and executed, especially in terms of acting. As a result, it is safe to say that The Acolyte has united the Star Wars fanbase on turning their backs on the franchise as a whole, especially when it comes to Disney’s streaming offerings.
Disney’s blunder with The Acolyte could affect Andor season 2, as fans might similarly scrutinize it for veering too far away from the canon established in Rogue One. If Luna’s recent comments about Andor season 2 providing a new perspective on the film’s events are any indication, there is a chance the series might make the same mistake that doomed The Acolyte.
The Acolyte and Andor are streaming on Disney+.
