Tony Gilroy Is Replaced by Toby Haynes as the Director of Lucasfilm's ROGUE ONE Spinoff Series
Tony Gilroy, who co-wrote Rogue One, was initially set to direct Lucasfilm’s Rogue One spinoff series that is going to focus on Diego Luna’s character Cassian Andor. He had to bow out as the director, though, due to COVID-19-related travel reasons.
While Gilroy is staying on as writer, executive producer, and showrunner, Toby Haynes (Doctor Who, Black Mirror, Sherlock, Brexit, Utopia) will replace him as the director. He will helm the first three episodes of the series.
Apparently Haynes was already at the top of a list of directors who would have been brought in to direct future episodes, and since he was also already in the U.K., the team thought this would make the most sense to just bring him on now.
The untitled show focuses on Rebel agent Andor prior to the events of Rogue One in the early days of the Rebellion against the Empire. The show has been described as a “spy thriller,” and it was also previously announced that Luna would return as Andor, while Alan Tudyk is set to reprise his role as K-2SO, Andor’s droid sidekick.
They will be joined in the series by Genevieve O’Reilly, who will reprise her role as Mon Mothma (Rogue One, Tin Can), Denise Gough (Collett, Angels in America), Kyle Soller (Anna Karenina, The Titan), and it was also previously announced that Stellan Skarsgard (Thor, Good Will Hunting) has joined the series, along with Adria Arjona (6 Underground). Jimmy Smits and Alistair Petrie were also in talks to join as Bail Organa and General Draven.
Additional writers on the series include Dan Gilroy (Nightcrawler), Beau Willimon (House of Cards), and Stephen Schiff (The Americans).
Source: Deadline