The rebel leader Mon Mothma will add to her impressive résumé of on-screen Star Wars appearances with the upcoming Andor on Disney+, her third television series -- though first live-action one -- and sixth project overall.
The mysterious former Galactic Senator's new role is mentioned in an expansive Vanity Fair piece covering the three new Star Wars shows coming to Disney+ over the next two years: Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka and Andor. It's revealed her storyline in the prequel series, which is set five years before Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, will run alongside the lead character's own. The two are destined to meet as Cassian Andor is one of her top operatives in Rogue One.
Initially played by Caroline Blakiston in 1983's Return of the Jedi, this iteration of Mon Mothma will be portrayed by Genevieve O'Reilly, who already has Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith and Rogue One under her belt in live-action. The two animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars -- where she was voiced by Kath Soucie -- and Star Wars Rebels -- where she was voiced by O'Reilly -- round out the character's onscreen appearances up until now.
According to Tony Gilroy, creator of Andor, the series will feature "a huge, orchestral, Dickensian ensemble cast." Gilroy already has history with the character, as he was brought onto Rogue One for script rewrites when that production was in trouble. Gilroy also offered some insight into what the first season will reveal about Cassian himself. "This guy gave his life for the galaxy, right? I mean, he consciously, soberly, without vanity or recognition, sacrificed himself," Gilroy said of the rebel agent. "Who does that? That's what this first season is about. It's about him being really revolution-averse, and cynical, and lost, and kind of a mess."
Though there have been reports of other characters like Saw Gerrera and Orson Krennic returning, there are also new actors in the mix for the series. Adria Arjona plays an as-yet-unnamed character, and she spoke recently about the experience of working on a Star Wars project. "All I can tell you is that as an actor, it was really moving to be on a Star Wars set," Arjona said. "And during preparation, I kept telling myself, 'I'm just not going to think that this is Star Wars because the more I think it's Star Wars, the more nervous I get.' And when I showed up on set, I was like, 'There's no way I can get away with not thinking about the fact that this is Star Wars.' Every gadget, every prop, everywhere you'd look, you're like, 'Oh my god, I'm in Star Wars.' So I had to embrace it."
While there's no official release date for Andor yet, it will be coming sometime in the late summer of 2022, with some rumors saying the first trailer will debut on May 26 during Star Wars Celebration, the annual fan gathering for all things related to a galaxy far, far away. Arjona has already confirmed she will be a guest at the event, which helps to fuel that report.
Source: Vanity Fair