‘Andor’ Becomes Most Expensive Star Wars Production, Surpassing ‘The Rise of Skywalker'”
Combined budget for two seasons reaches $645 million, with Season 2 alone exceeding $290 million
The production costs for Disney and Lucasfilm’s ‘Andor’ series have soared, making it the most expensive Star Wars project to date. According to a Forbes report, the combined budget for the two-season series has reached approximately $645 million, with Season 2 alone accounting for over $290 million.
This expenditure surpasses the production budget of ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,’ which was reported at $275 million. The significant investment in ‘Andor’ reflects Disney’s commitment to delivering high-quality content for its streaming platform, Disney+.
The second season of ‘Andor’ faced production delays due to industry strikes, including the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike, during which creator and showrunner Tony Gilroy paused all writing-related duties on May 1, 2023. Additionally, the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) strike led to a temporary halt in filming, further extending the production timeline and contributing to increased costs.
These delays have financial implications, as production costs continued to accrue during the hiatus. The U.K. financial report, which provides insights into the show’s expenditures, covers only up to November 2023. Since filming resumed in January 2024 and concluded in February, the total production costs are expected to be even higher. Post-production expenses, not included in the 2023 accounting, will further add to the overall budget.
Despite the substantial spending, the series benefits from a $129 million tax rebate for the entire production, offering some financial relief.
Tony Gilroy envisioned ‘Andor’ as a two-season narrative arc, with the second season leading directly into the events of ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,’ where audiences were first introduced to Diego Luna’s character, Cassian Andor. Gilroy has indicated that the final episode of Season 2 will occur just days before the beginning of ‘Rogue One,’ seamlessly connecting the series to the film.
The substantial investment in ‘Andor’ underscores Disney’s strategy to enhance its streaming content offerings, aiming to attract and retain subscribers by expanding the Star Wars universe through high-budget, cinematic-quality series.
