While Diego Luna gets top billing for Lucasfilm’s upcoming Andor spinoff, he’s far from the series’ only central character. The highly-anticipated Rogue One prequel features several new and returning heroes who join the Rebel Alliance and work tirelessly to bring the Galactic Empire to its knees. One such familiar face is Genevieve O’Reilly, who is back as Rebel leader Mon Mothma. And while speaking with Entertainment Weekly, both performers discussed the surprises that await fans when the series premieres on Disney+.
Luna discussed how teamwork is a major theme of Andor’s core storyline, which will stretch across two seasons. But along the way, viewers will get a much clearer idea of the Rebels’ influence throughout the universe.
“Even though it’s called Andor, it’s about a revolution,” said Luna. “It’s an ensemble. It’s about a group of people [and] it’s about community. You’ll have the chance to meet many characters you don’t know and visit places you don’t know existed in this galaxy.”
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As any hardcore Star Wars fan can tell you, O’Reilly’s relationship with the franchise dates back to 2005. The actress memorably shot scenes for Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith where Mon Mothma begins sowing the seeds of the Rebel Alliance in secret meetings with other Republic senators, including Natalie Portman’s Padmé Amidala and Jimmy Smits’ Bail Organa. Unfortunately, these scenes didn’t make the final cut (although they were included on the DVD release). But more than a decade later, O’Reilly was able to reprise her role in Rogue One in 2016, and Andor gives her the chance to dig deep to the heart of her character.
“The idea of learning about this character — for me, as much as for anyone else — through a long-form narrative was really interesting,” added O’Reilly. “We have now the chance to get to know the woman. Previously, she was a bit of a pillar, or maybe a statue. I love that now we get to excavate that a little bit and learn about the human being — the woman behind the gown, if you will.”
Andor will hit Disney+ on August 31.
Are you happy to see these characters come back to the Star Wars fold? Let us know in the comment section below!
Recommended Reading: The Art of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
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