Ben Mendelsohn’s Director Orson Krennic was a highlight of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and now, the actor will at last reprise the role in live-action in Andor season 2. Krennic was the main antagonist of Rogue One, despite the fact he was also joined by Grand Moff Tarkin and even Darth Vader – which meant that his return was anticipated from the very moment Andor came into existence. While Mendelsohn did briefly reprise his role in animation for Star Wars: The Bad Batch season 2, he didn’t appear in Andor season 1. Season 2, however, will change this.

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Andor Season 2: Story, Updates, & Everything We Know

Andor season 1 ended with an explosive finale, leading many to wonder what season 2 has in store for the characters of Star Wars’ most exciting show.

It was revealed by The Playlist that, in a conversation with Andor director Alonso Ruizpalacios, Mendelsohn’s name was mentioned with other actors, including Stellan Skarsgård (Luthen Rael) and Forest Whitaker (Saw Gerrera). Ruizpalacios recited this list when recounting how lovely it was to direct all these incredible actors, and The Playlist makes it clear that Ruizpalacios likely didn’t realize he was giving away a spoiler by saying Mendelsohn’s name. Following Diego Luna’s tease about familiar characters returning in season 2 at a recent Comic Con, however, the director’s slip-up is simply further confirmation of Mendelsohn’s return.

Andor Season 2 Is Overshadowed By The Death Star

Season 2’s Story Necessitates Mendelsohn’s Director Krennic

The ending of Andor season 1 made it clear that the Death Star would be looming over most of Andor season 2. There was the actual image of the Death Star that closed out the season, but with it came the heavy implications of how it was being constructed, much of which seems to have been done by prisoners like Cassian, Kino Loy, and Ruescott Melshi. There’s no doubt that this superweapon will thus be at the heart of Andor season 2’s story.

With this being the case, it’s even more relieving that Mendelsohn will be returning as Director Krennic. His fate is tied to the Imperial superweapon in more ways than just one, which makes him absolutely imperative to the story of the Death Star as a whole. Bringing Krennic into the fold in Andor season 2 is not only the right choice, but it’s also the smart one, as any new developments in his character’s story will only make Rogue One even better in hindsight.

All around, Mendelsohn’s return in Andor is nothing but extremely promising and exciting. With season 2 set to end exactly where Rogue One picks up, Krennic’s role in the story will only unite the two Star Wars projects even more. While Mendelsohn did have a brief cameo in The Bad Batch, his character did little except sit with other Imperials and utter a quick line, and fans are sorely missing what Mendelsohn first brought to Krennic. Now, Andor season 2 will finally bring him back to the franchise in the way everyone’s been wanting.

Andor

TV-14
Adventure
Drama
Action
Sci-Fi

Diego Luna stars as Cassian Andor in Andor, a Disney+ exclusive series set five years before Rogue One. The series follows the titular character as he transitions from a humble thief to a revolutionary icon of the rebellion against the empire. Cassian, a man who tries to keep himself out of confrontations post the destruction of his world, is shoved into the central conflict as he naturally slots into the role of leader. Andor will explore the rebellion’s burgeoning days and highlight pivotal events in the Star Wars Franchise before the construction of the Death Star. 

Cast

Genevieve O’Reilly
, Adria Arjona
, Diego Luna
, Kyle Soller
, Alan Tudyk
, Stellan Skarsgård
, Denise Gough
, Forrest Whittaker

Release Date

September 21, 2022

Seasons

1

Streaming Service(s)

Disney Plus

Franchise(s)

Star Wars

Writers

Tony Gilroy
, Dan Gilroy
, Beau Willimon
, Stephen Schiff

Showrunner

Tony Gilroy

Filming Locations

United Kingdom

Number of Episodes

12

Source: The Playlist