Cassian Andor

Though not initially named Cassian Andor, a "Cassian Andor-type character" appeared in the original treatment of Rogue One written by John Knoll, chief creative officer at Industrial Light & Magic and in the first draft of the script written by Gary Whitta.[1][2] The character was created as a member of Rogue One, then commanded by a Rebel Alliance sergeant version of Jyn Erso. The original intention was to kill all members of the Rogue One team, including Cassian. However, fearing that Disney would not allow the ending, Knoll and Whitta wrote that Cassian escapes Scarif with the Death Star plans alongside Jyn Erso and, though their ship is destroyed by Darth Vader after they transfer the plans to Princess Leia, they narrowly survive in an escape pod. Whitta stated that having to "jump through so many hoops" to ensure survival indicated that Cassian and Jyn should die on Scarif.[1] Producer Kathleen Kennedy and Disney ultimately approved the ending in which the entire crew dies. The main purpose of this action was believed to be for the characters to be ultimately replaced after the film by the crew of the original trilogy. [1][2]

In May 2015, it was announced that Diego Luna had been cast in a lead role in Rogue One.[3] Director Gareth Edwards wanted Cassian to be warm and likeable rather than the typical stoic, brooding action hero, leading to Edwards' decision to cast Luna early in the casting process.[4] Diego Luna felt that his casting, and the casting of other non-white men in the film's leading roles, reflected a "modern approach" and a world in which "racial and cultural diversity is in fact making us richer and more interesting."[5]

Luna spoke in the role with his native Mexican accent, an exception for the film franchise, which has mostly featured American and British accents.[5] Luna stated that his accent was not an issue with the film's producers, who were happy with it.[6][7]

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story was released in December 2016, featuring Luna in the role of Cassian Andor, a man who had been fighting in the Rebellion since he was six years old. In the film, Cassian learns about the defection of Imperial pilot Bodhi Rook and the Death Star superweapon from rebel informant Tivik, whom he kills to avoid his capture since he is unable to escape due to an injured arm.[8] Cassian is later secretly ordered to find and assassinate scientist Galen Erso, who was captured by Director Orson Krennic and forced to help build the Death Star.

Andor and his co-pilot, reprogrammed Imperial security droid K-2SO, travel to Jedha with Galen's daughter Jyn Erso to obtain a message from Galen, carried by Rook. Later, the rebels arrive on Eadu after learning that Galen is there; Cassian hesitantly chooses not to kill him. He ultimately leads a team to steal the plans for the Death Star on Scarif, where he infiltrates its Imperial data center with Jyn and K-2SO. After K-2SO sacrifices himself, Jyn and Cassian obtain the schematics, but they are ambushed by Krennic, who shoots Cassian. However, Andor recovers and shoots and wounds Krennic before Jyn successfully transmits the plans to the Rebel forces in orbit. The Death Star then fires upon the base, killing Cassian and Jyn as they embrace.

Cassian appears in the film novelization of Rogue One by Alexander Freed.[9] He also appears in Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire, a virtual reality experience produced by ILMxLAB and The VOID for the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World; Diego Luna reprises his role as Cassian to provide mission briefings and deliver orders throughout the experience.[10]

Luna is set to reprise his role as Andor in a live-action "spy thriller" series for Disney+, which began production in November 2018[11] and was set to begin filming in June 2020,[12] but the filming date was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[13] On August 7, 2020, Luna disclosed, "slowly we're going back, but there's no rush."[14] According to Luna, his character will appear younger in the series,[12] which is set five years before Rogue One.[15] Genevieve O'Reilly will reprise her role as Mon Mothma, and the series is also set to feature Stellan Skarsgård, Denise Gough, Kyle Soller, and Adria Arjona.[16][17][18] Filming ultimately began in December 2020 in London, United Kingdom.[19]