The release date of Andor has been delayed as the Rogue One prequel will go from an original two-episode premiere on August 31 to a three-episode premiere on September 21. No reason was given, but it was announced by the show’s leading star, Diego Luna, who reprises his role as Andor for the Disney Plus series. In an interview with Good Morning America, he announced the new date and the additional episode that will accompany it.
While there are no concrete reasons to delay the series, with a crowded month for the platform, it does make sense. I Am Groot will be releasing all five of its episodes for a 20-minute season on August 10; then, we get the premiere of She-Hulk. While Marvel and Star Wars are separate franchises, Disney will likely not want two of its biggest franchises competing to the new release date of Andor. We saw solid performances for Ms. Marvel and Obi-Wan, but the overlapping release could have meant a problem that led to this decision.
An aspect that makes sense is the shift from debuting with two episodes to three. The first three were directed by Toby Haynes (Black Mirror, Doctor Who), with showrunner Tony Gilroy (Rogue One) writing those episodes. It could mean a cohesive start for Andor on its release date if audiences can watch the first three episodes.
Andor release date shifted from August to September
The 12-episode series is a prequel to a prequel. Rogue One saw a group of rebels steal the plans to the Death Star. Luna starred with Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything), Donnie Yen, Alan Tudyk, Ben Mendelsohn (Captain Marvel), Riz Ahmed, Mads Mikkelsen, and Forest Whitaker, who will return for the Disney Plus series. Genevieve O’Reilly (Star Wars: Rebels) also returns.
Upon the release of Andor, fans will get introduced to new faces in Star Wars. Adria Arjona (True Detective), Kyle Soller (101 Dalmatian Street), Denise Gough (Under the Banner of Heaven), Fiona Shaw (Harry Potter), Stellan Skarsgård, and Robert Emms (Chernobyl) will star.
Andor will release on September 21 and will be streamer on Disney Plus.