The primary reason Andor stands out as an exceptional series is often overlooked. While the stunning visuals, captivating performances, and meticulously crafted sets are evident, they wouldn’t be possible without the exceptional writing. Tony Gilroy, the show’s creator and an Oscar-nominated screenwriter, is the driving force behind the writing on Andor. A few years ago, he hinted that Lucasfilm was planning to release the scripts for the first season to the public. Unfortunately, this never came to fruition, and in a recent interview, he provided a compelling explanation for why.

Gilroy revealed to Collider, “I had intended to do it. We had prepared everything, and it’s truly impressive. I’ve seen it, and I loved it. However, AI is the reason we decided against it.” Indeed, AI has become a significant factor. When Gilroy initially mentioned releasing the scripts in 2023, AI tools like Chat GPT, which scrape the internet to gather information for various tasks, were not as prevalent. The concern that his scripts would be exploited and regurgitated by machines wasn’t a primary consideration at the time, but it soon became one.

Gilroy continued, “Ultimately, it would be 1,500 pages directly from my desk. Sadly, it’s too much of an X-ray and too easily absorbed. Why help the robots more than necessary? So, it was an ego thing, driven by vanity. The downside is real, and in this case, vanity loses.” It’s commendable that Gilroy has taken this stance. Although it would be exciting for fans to have access to his scripts, perhaps in the form of a book, sharing the blueprint for a flawless 12-hour television show, complete with character arcs, twists, and turns, would only lead to his unique talent and skill being replicated ad nauseam in college term papers. It’s better to keep these elements secret and protected.

Gilroy is currently promoting not only the upcoming Andor season two, which releases next month, but also the fact that Andor is now available on Hulu and YouTube. You can watch the first three episodes for free here, enjoy an excellent season one recap below, and read our interview with the showrunner at this link.

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