Disney’s $645M Gamble: ‘Andor’ Sets Record as Most Expensive Star Wars Series

As a lifelong Star Wars fan, I have to say that I am absolutely blown away by the sheer scale and ambition of the production of Andor. Despite its relatively low viewership during Season 1, it has quickly become one of my favorite Star Wars shows, thanks in large part to Diego Luna’s captivating performance as Cassian Andor.

Despite not receiving as much acclaim as other Star Wars productions, Andor is generally regarded as one of the finest Star Wars series during the Disney era. Featuring Diego Luna, this series demonstrated that compelling Star Wars narratives can be crafted without centering around Jedi and Sith, especially in principal roles.

Enthusiasts couldn’t wait for the next installment of Andor, ever since Season 1 concluded. Their anticipation was high due to the intrigue about what would unfold next. Disney delivered excellently on this series, adhering faithfully to the fundamental concepts that George Lucas initially envisioned, which is why it resonated deeply with audiences.

On April 22, 2025, we can look forward to the debut of Season 2, and with the launch date drawing nearer, intriguing insights into its complex and challenging creation process are gradually emerging.

Disney revealed that the production costs for the “Andor” Star Wars series currently stand at approximately $645 million, with an astounding $290.9 million allocated for the second season alone, set to premiere in April 2025.

This surpasses the cost of any Star Wars production within a year, outdoing the $280.7 million spent on The Last Jedi in 2019 and the $243.8 million spent on The Force Awakens in 2016.

The $290.9 million already spent on the production of Andor’s second season is not the full amount required. Filming initially began in November 2022, however, it was temporarily halted during the summer of 2023 due to a SAG-AFTRA strike. Production resumed in January 2024 and concluded in February, yet the costs are still projected to rise further.

Andor’s initial viewership was modest, but it garnered an impressive 87% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes – higher than any other Star Wars series on Disney+ and nearly all of Disney’s Star Wars films, except for Rogue One. This favorable response is what secured a second season for the show, despite its hefty production cost.

Lately, it’s been observed that Star Wars productions have become increasingly costly. “The Acolyte,” a recent addition, serves as an illustration. Although it consists of just 8 episodes, its production expenses are estimated to be between $160 million and $180 million. Surprisingly, despite receiving unfavorable reviews, this show still carried such a high price tag.

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2024-12-23 11:44