Toby Haynes Replaces Tony Gilroy as Director on Disney+ Cassian Andor Series

Disney+ and Lucasfilm are moving forward on their Rogue One spinoff series centered on Diego Luna’s Cassian Andor, but will with a different director.

According to Deadline, Black Mirror director Toby Haynes has signed on to direct the first three episodes, replacing Rogue One writer Tony Gilroy, who originally signed on last October.

Per the trade, Gilroy had to drop from the project due to COVID-19-related travel reasons. Gilroy lives in New York and had to make a decision quickly on whether he would head over to the U.K. for the shoot, and in the end thought it would be best that he stay in New York and have Haynes take over his directing duties.

Haynes was already on Lucasfilm’s radar to direct future episodes of the series, and since he is already in the U.K. all parties thought this was the perfect situation and made the most since. Gilroy will remain on the project as a writer, executive producer, and showrunner.

Read: ‘Turner & Hooch’ Reboot Adds Four Cast Members; Production Starts Today

Details on the series – which is in pre-production, are being kept under wraps; however we do know the series is being aimed as a “spy-thriller.” Take a look at the synopsis below:

“Follows the adventures of Rebel spy Cassian Andor during the formative years of the Rebellion and prior to the events of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Diego Luna will reprise the role of Andor, which he originated in the 2016 film. The rousing spy thriller will explore tales filled with espionage and daring missions to restore hope to a galaxy in the grip of a ruthless Empire.”

Also set to appear in the series, returning from their Rogue One roles are Alan Tudyk as Andor’s droid companion K-2SO, Jimmy Smits as Bail Organa, Alistair Petrie as General Draven, and Genevieve O’Reilly as Mon Mothma, with newcomers Stellan Skarsgard, Denise Gough, Adria Arjona, and Kyle Soller, all in unknown roles.

Production is expected to begin in early 2021 in London. Disney+ has yet to give the series an official release date.

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