Luna additionally talks about why the seek for his sister is not over, if he thinks Cassian is aware of in regards to the Jedi, and Cassian becoming a member of the insurrection.
Six years in the past, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story delivered the most effective tales within the Star Wars universe, so it’s no shock that Tony Gilroy’s critically acclaimed collection Andor has delivered extra of the identical soul-stirring storytelling about combating again towards authoritarian regimes and discovering one’s place within the coronary heart of the insurrection.
Over the course of Season 1, Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) learns first-hand the significance of combating again towards the Empire, regardless of being initially unwilling to get entangled. Over the course of twelve episodes, Luna had the chance to discover the numerous aspects of Cassian’s character and form him into the battle-hardened man he’s in Rogue One. Forward of the finale, Collider’s personal Steve Weintraub had the chance to speak with the actor and unpack the collection.
In the course of the 1-on-1 interview, Luna spoke about getting again to filming for Season 2, working with actors like Andy Serkis, what in the end pushed Cassian to comprehend he needed to be part of the insurrection, which scene made him cry on set, and he revealed whether or not he thinks Cassian’s seek for his sister has come to an finish.
DIEGO LUNA: We did begin yesterday, and man, it is unbelievable. Right here we go once more. It is identical to this format of collection. It simply would not offer you time to rejoice. I completed the looping for the Spanish-speaking territories, mainly two weeks and a half in the past. Then I began doing the final rounds of press for the finale, and right here we’re already taking pictures the second season. It is unbelievable. I imply, I am glad we’re doing it, but it surely’s identical to nonstop. It is loopy. 12 episodes, it is like 4 movies. It is a variety of work, however gladly we’re proud of what we’re doing and having fun with the trip.
When Andor was introduced means again when lots of people have been like, actually? Andor? That is going to be the Star Wars present you guys need to push? And now it is one of the best Star Wars since 1980, and persons are simply raving about it. So what has it been like for you on the within, since you actually do not know once you’re making one thing what the response goes to be, however folks like me, and everywhere in the world, simply find it irresistible?
LUNA: I’d say that it was a pure course of, and I believe in Rogue One I acquired a style of it, and I used to be somewhat bit prepared. In Rogue One, we had the identical type of feeling. Like the primary response was, “Actually? What? You are going to what? Now you are going to do a movie that has a starting and an finish? Is that the forged? There [are] no Jedi. What do you imply? I imply, is the tone going to be totally different?”
I had the identical response after I was supplied Cassian for Rogue One. I used to be like, “What? What do you imply? Actually, me for this? What makes you assume I will be good on this present?” So I believe I perceive. And to be trustworthy, I believe it took somewhat stress off our shoulders to come back out of nowhere. My response, or this journey, for the reason that collection got here out, I believe it was essential for folks, for audiences to have the ability to watch the primary three episodes in a single as a result of it gave you the sensation of what we have been making an attempt to realize and the vary of what the present was going to supply.
You already know what’s stunning? That after I hear folks speaking in regards to the present in social media, after I learn the opinions, I hear a variety of the phrases that we have been reminding ourselves on daily basis on set. The darkness, the complexity, the depth, the intimacy, the realism. I believe that is one factor Tony and we have been all making an attempt to remind ourselves, this has to really feel actual, this has to really feel actual. It has to provide the alternative to neglect that you’re in a galaxy far, distant for a second. It has to really feel that you’re witnessing an intimate, real looking second of somebody near your group, that you’re spying in your neighbors type of factor.
And in addition, the entire objective of not judging characters, not dwelling in a world of black and white. Simply letting folks be [imperfect], as all of us are. Ensuring there was at all times complexity and distinction in every second, and every character, and every relation. All of that. And listening to that because the collection comes out, and listening to that audiences are celebrating that, makes me really feel very proud as a result of it is not simply that the collection is being celebrated, but it surely’s being celebrated for a similar causes I used to be a part of this present. I used to be excited to be a part of this present.
Individuals are celebrating what I celebrated after I spoke for the primary time to Tony. They’re celebrating the stuff we have been aiming for, and that is essential as a result of there was at all times the chance to not commit fully. And we did commit, and there was an enormous danger, and it paid off. I believe it paid off that we actually pursued what we thought at the start might make this present totally different and distinctive and subsequently particular.
Do you assume that Cassian’s seek for his sister is over?
LUNA: I do not assume so. I do not assume it is over. I do not assume it is ever over. I do not assume it is over in Rogue One, as a result of I see that as one factor. It is like the sensation, it is a type of issues that type of observe each determination you make, or by no means letting [go] anymore, not once more. That type of factor. And I believe that is behind the choice of that final mission, that suicide mission in Rogue One. That is for her. That is for Maarva, that is for his folks, for his group. I really like the arc that Tony has constructed, and the arc ends in Rogue One, not in Season 2. I believe it should be fairly superb to look at Rogue One after you see Season 2. I believe you may see a unique movie. For positive, you may perceive the character from a unique perspective, and you will be with him differently.
What do you assume Cassian and the opposite prisoners have been constructing on Narkina 5?
LUNA: I do not assume so. I do know what they have been constructing, however sadly, on this first season, Tony Gilroy would not need you to know. I believe you possibly can consider one thing, proper? I imply, it’s very nice to have these questions that they’ve reply, however you are going to be the one which’s going to offer that reply.
I believe that is what I really like from Tony Gilroy’s writing. He is simply celebrating the chance of you creating your personal model of the story. And what we do ought to go well with that too. That is if you find yourself simply celebrating the intelligence of audiences. I believe that is one thing Tony does fairly effectively.
Clearly, for all of us, we’re considering it is both a chunk of the Dying Star, it is a part of a Tremendous Star Destroyer, but it surely’s additionally doable that it should be paid off in Season 2.
LUNA: I believe it is undoubtedly one thing you are going to have to attend for the reply, however I really like that you just’re already considering in the appropriate course, clearly. And clearly, everyone seems to be, and that is why I really like going again to Rogue One as a result of even after watching this primary season should you return to Rogue One, so many issues look totally different and imply one thing else. And that is going to occur in Season 2 much more.
I requested this of Tony two days in the past. Do you assume Cassian and his pals on Ferrix know in regards to the Jedi and lightsabers, or do you assume they’ve by no means actually heard of them?
LUNA: Hmm. That may be a good query. I do not know.
I am going to inform you what Tony mentioned after you inform me.
LUNA: Yeah. Why after?
Or would you like me to inform you what Tony mentioned?
LUNA: Yeah. What did he say? As a result of clearly within the present there is no such thing as a signal of them figuring out. Proper?
He mentioned that he would not assume Cassian and his pals know in regards to the Jedi, or lightsabers, or the Royal household. He would not assume they learn about something.
LUNA: I agree. At the least from what we see. He would not know and clearly would not consider in that. Even when he had heard of them he clearly would not consider in them. However I do not assume they’ve even heard of that. No.
Yep, I agree.
LUNA: We’ll see the second season.
What shot from Season 1 ended up being a stunning problem, or perhaps a sequence, once you assume again on the shoot?
LUNA: Properly, I used to be strolling beneath Ferrix, attending to Ferrix, and the director began taking part in the phrases of Maarva. And so I used to be listening to the music in a second, after which the phrases. With the music, it was simply earlier than the phrases. Let’s discuss in regards to the music. I am strolling beneath Ferrix, and I am listening to the music, and I simply began crying, man. And I did not need the character to cry there. It was like, “Shit, no, this cannot be taking place.” I acquired so emotional. So emotional. And it means lots to me, man, on a private stage, that relation of Cassian and Maarva, and the best way she finally ends up setting him in the appropriate course. I believe it is such a robust, robust piece of Cassian’s story, and I get emotional simply by speaking about it.
It’s, for me, the strongest relation, and it is clearly Maarva’s instance [that] units him in that trip that can finish in Rogue One. It was actually robust to maintain my feelings. To maintain it robust as a result of I did not need him to interrupt there. It needed to be in a while. I did not need it to interrupt there. And it was unimaginable. The primary take, it was unimaginable. The second, most likely, I began behaving higher, and I used to be extra in management. However all of that sequence is simply so robust. And he is beneath the place the place he was capable of have a life simply earlier than he fucked all the pieces up, mainly.
It is unbelievable. I am simply going to say that each time I discuss in regards to the collection, it is unbelievable how nothing is [taken] as a right in our present. And the work of Tony and all of the writers, it is so good. Every little thing pays off. Every little thing, all the pieces. And as an actor, it is simply so superb to have the ability to work with that materials as a result of all the pieces has a connection. It was very robust, I imply, I really like many episodes of the present, however nothing like 12. 12 could be very robust for me. Yeah.
One of many the explanation why so many people rave in regards to the materials, due to how a lot all the pieces is interconnected. Each facet of the present is simply so effectively achieved. However do you assume it was Maarva’s loss of life, or the jail, or each that lastly mentioned to Cassian, I would like to affix the insurrection?
LUNA: I believe it is each. The jail is about, he realizes how fucked up issues are on this galaxy. He realizes how little the life of individuals means to the Empire. What you might be to the Empire is a fucking white go well with, a quantity, and also you simply imply one thing should you produce. Only a quantity. You are a white go well with. There is no character there. He realizes that jail is only a metaphor of the life on the market. You do not have to be in that jail to be dwelling in a jail. I believe that bounce, that operating out, that one-way-out sequence is certainly the primary time he’s operating away with a objective, as a result of he retains operating away on this present. He is at all times operating away. He begins operating away. However that is a second the place he is aware of why he is operating away, and that one thing needs to be achieved. That he cannot name that life.
However I believe Maarva, in a private means, is what finally ends up setting him up. It is the wake-up name, and it arrives too late. He simply realizes he at all times had it there. That the mentor, that the referent, the instance, it was there, it was at dwelling, it was sitting there in that chair. That the phrases she was saying have been true. That is why I used to be saying that Rogue One will really feel totally different after watching episode 12 since you bear in mind Maarva with each phrase Cassian says, and each motion he does.
I believe the jail is, when it comes to [what] he understands, what they’re combating towards. He understands what the machine, what the construction, what the monster is, the beast that they need to battle. He understands what he is towards. However in knowledgeable stage, it’s that he finds the power. And I believe he finds the power in Maarva’s phrases, in Maarva’s instance, in Maarva’s actions, as a result of after he receives the information within the name, I believe he revisits his entire life. He goes again to the second he was picked by Maarva, and he goes by means of his life and he finds that the message has been at all times there.
I really like the finale, the final scene, the place Cassian is speaking to Luthen. “Both kill me or let me in.” Are you able to discuss filming that scene? As a result of with some TV exhibits, the finale would’ve been the breaking out of jail, or robbing the Empire. However the finale of Season 1 is Cassian lastly saying, “I need to be within the insurrection.”
LUNA: I believe should you might learn his thoughts, on the finish what he is saying is, “That is no life. Take this factor I’ve away from me as a result of it means nothing except you let me battle for freedom.” He is saying, “There is no level of dwelling like this.” He lastly will get it.
There’s a variety of studying to come back to search out the Cassian we see in Rogue One, and the dedication, the readability, the idea that he has there. However right here, what he is saying is like, “Yeah, take this away from me as a result of it means nothing except I am a part of what you guys are combating for.” And I believe it is that, it’s extremely deep, and it is the second he finds out he may be totally different [from] what everybody sees in him and what he sees, and what he thought he was. That there’s a probability to rework, to evolve, and to turn into a part of an answer.
I believe that is what makes Cassian a stupendous character, as a result of he is imperfect. However there may be one factor about him, I believe makes him totally different. He is keen to forgive himself, subsequently give himself one other probability. And he would possibly fuck up many occasions, and mess up, however he provides himself one other probability. And there he’s in the identical place the place he was the primary time Luthen discovered him, and he is there saying, “Sorry, I get it now. I get it. Now that I acquired it, both you do away with me otherwise you make me a part of the battle.” And I believe it is a very robust finale, man. And in addition the one you want for one more season to occur. You want that.
While you say one other TV present would’ve resulted in a unique second, I believe that is an important factor that we did. I do not know if we have been fully conscious of it, however we tried by no means to be some other present. And we weren’t evaluating our present with the rest however our present, mainly. We have been at all times simply considering, “What is the first model of this present we’re doing?” And despite the fact that Sanne [Wohlenberg] has a variety of expertise, and she or he did Chernobyl, the remainder of us, we had no expertise in TV exhibits. We have not achieved many of those. I’ve achieved one earlier than. I did two seasons of a present earlier than. I can not name myself an skilled on this format or something. I believe we have been considering of a really lengthy movie.
That is precisely what it’s. The arc of robbing the Empire might be main towards the finale of one other present. However I need to ask you another issues earlier than I run out of time.
LUNA: However simply very fast. The finale is that this as a result of what the present is about is the characters. It is about them. It is about who makes a revolution, and why a revolution is required. Subsequently, the finale needed to be about characters speaking to one another and relating, and opening their coronary heart and their feelings. And about characters being susceptible. Every little thing else is there, is a part of our present, however the core of our present, it is what these persons are feeling and going by means of.
Once more, I fully agree. Tony advised me that Season 2 will characteristic Yavin, which individuals know from the unique Star Wars. He talked about you guys are going to movie Cassian assembly [K-2SO]. So what was your response once you learn the scripts for Season 2, despite the fact that Tony had advised you what it could be about, what was your response?
LUNA: I imply, my response is, I do not get shocked anymore in regards to the high quality of the writing as a result of I do know Tony, I do know the writers, I do know the method. And despite the fact that once you learn one thing that may be a work in progress, it is already higher than half of what you have learn earlier than in your life. It is unbelievable. It is unbelievable. Most of what is taking place on this season, [I’ve known] since we began planning Season 1. Structurally, it acquired tighter. And clearly, by deciding to just do two seasons, issues acquired compressed. However structurally he had it clear from scratch, from the start. That is why it would not really feel like TV. It is not like, “What ought to we do now?” It was by no means that means. It was by no means that means. We had a transparent concept of the place we have been heading, and what was going to occur, and which characters have been going to be a part of this journey. Every little thing was there from the primary time he pitched me his concept.
However now, studying it’s scrumptious. Now I can very selfishly say this. It is like figuring out that I will be performing on this present, figuring out I will be studying these strains, figuring out I will be additionally working with these actors simply makes me really feel like I am the luckiest actor ever. And now figuring out that there is an viewers that likes it and that cares about this, and that celebrates the present for a similar causes I rejoice the present, makes me really feel that I could not be luckier. It is clearly one of the best time in my profession to date. I am having fun with this. I am a part of the entire course of. As a producer, I get to witness the method of everybody on this group, and the training, and the journey is superb.
And in addition, one factor that’s necessary for me and I need to say is that we shot this primary season within the worst doable situations, within the worst time of the confinement, the place we had no probability to work together, to rejoice, to share and collaborate in the best way I am used to. I used to be scared on daily basis. I knew the duty, and it wasn’t simply the well being and security of everybody, but in addition I have to be very, very rigorous and cautious so everybody had the possibility to go to work underneath these circumstances. So I’m so trying ahead to undergo a course of in a means the place I can work together extra with this group that I really feel at present are my household. And I do know this journey may be way more pleasing this time. I actually hope that we get the possibility to go have a beer after we obtain one thing troublesome collectively. So I am unable to inform you how glad I’m to be doing this second season.
Tony mentioned that the very first thing he was filming on the primary day was Kyle [Soller] as Syril, and I do know you began filming yesterday. What are you able to tease about the very first thing that you just filmed for Season 2?
LUNA: Properly, I am going to say two issues. First, I have never shot something but. I’m coming from set, however from doing checks, not from filming. So I have never stepped on stage as Cassian but. I nonetheless have a couple of days for that to occur. However I can inform you one factor is that… What ought to I inform you about this? Properly, I am going to inform you that… No, I am unable to inform you something, man.
I get it. I wish to ask you about working with Andy Serkis, as a result of I assumed these scenes within the jail have been phenomenal, and I assumed that it demonstrated Cassian’s development as a pacesetter.
LUNA: I am going to say that I knew how necessary Kino [was] within the story. I knew how necessary the jail [was] for Cassian, and for the story, and for the insurrection. I did not know that Kino was going to have that power, and that Kino was going to turn into what Andy Serkis did. And that is the fantastic thing about it. It would not matter how well-written it’s, it’s about all the pieces coming collectively on the similar time. And Andy confirmed up, man, in a means. He was so prepared. He was so Kino, man. And I immediately realized how necessary that character was for Cassian.
It wasn’t till I really was in entrance of him performing that I went like, “Oh, shit,” as a result of it is the second the place Cassian understands what he is able to, which is that if he could make a group with Kino, if he can flip Kino, he has a capability to be a pacesetter.
Regardless that I learn how necessary Kino was, I did not learn the character the best way he delivered it. And it was spectacular to see the power he dropped at Kino and the arc he creates in a really brief time period. It is two episodes, and the heat and the humbleness he dropped at Kino is unbelievable. [It was] so pleasing to work with him as a result of he is at all times making an attempt stuff and giving increasingly, and his vitality by no means goes down. His vitality is at all times the highest. Does not matter the place the digicam is, would not matter if he is doing a closeup or the widest shot, he is giving all the pieces in each second. It was inspiring to see him work. And once more, I did not perceive precisely what it meant for Cassian to satisfy Kino till I used to be in entrance of him.
I really like that about this present. Mainly, it is an ideal materials, nice scripts, an excellent story, and deep and robust characters, nice actors, but in addition nice performing. There’s nothing higher on set than being in a scene that has room to develop. And that occurs with each scene on this present as a result of the scenes are meatier, or very full. We begin working and also you simply want you possibly can maintain going and going as a result of it is easy to maintain discovering issues.
Actors like Andy make {that a} very joyful journey. However I believe the casting of the entire present is nice. Andy Serkis is implausible. However everybody, each position shines, and all the pieces issues, which is one thing we have now to thank the writers for. Anyway, thanks, man. Thanks for the interview. It was enjoyable. And thanks for the assist and for all of the love for the present, for the work. I have been following what you’ve got been doing and what you guys have been doing [at] Collider, and I respect it. Thanks very a lot.
