Alan Tudyk addresses K-2SO’s future after Andor. Despite the droid’s close connection with Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) in the film Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, K-2SO does not appear in the Disney+ series until the later Andor season 2 episodes.
Earlier versions of Andor before Tony Gilroy joined the project featured K-2SO in a more prominent role throughout the series. This would have provided further exploration of his relationship with Cassian before both characters sacrifice their lives to deliver the Death Star plans to the Rebellion in Rogue One.
While speaking with The Playlist, Tudyk was asked whether fans could see K-2SO again despite the character’s fate and whether he would be open to playing the role again. Check out his comments below:
I’d be happy to do it. He’s a clown. I’m a big fan of clowns, you don’t hear that said a lot these days [laughs]— the European Lecoq school — where clowns are like children who’ve never been told “no.” There’s honesty, mischief, petulance… all those enjoyable emotions to play. K-2SO checks a lot of those boxes.
Tudyk was also asked about the earlier version of Andor where K-2SO was a main character. While admitting that he was initially disappointed at losing out on a bigger role, he does not think this would have been better than the version of Andor that was ultimately created:
Yes. K-2SO had a bigger role in that. I would have had a bigger role overall. When it went away and then it changed, I was disappointed, but I can’t think it would have been better than Andor. It feels wholly different and so good.
It probably would have been closer to what we’re used to with the current Star Wars’series, right? Which can be great, but it feels very different. It feels like it is wholly different, and it’s so good.
Given the smaller role that K-2SO had in Andor season 2, Tudyk spoke about this decision, and why Gilroy and the rest of the show’s creative team leave the audience wanting more where the droid is concerned. Read Tudyk’s response below:
That and the tone of Andor. Too much K-2SO might change that tone. I’m glad to be a part of it, though. I really feel like it’s historical in its quality as science fiction. As a sci-fi fan, it’s so impressive. I love Rogue One for the freedom it gave me just to play, play, and play — and then Andor for letting me play a role in delivering this political thriller that feels so much about our time.
It was written and shot before the things we’re seeing now, where you watch it and go, “Oh my god, this feels so relevant right now.” Those moments were on the page before, but they ring so true in the present. It feels important in that way, and I’m thankful it exists.
What This Means For Andor & K-2SO
As one of Star Wars‘ all-time best droids, it is natural to want to see more of K-2SO, especially in a story heavily focused on Cassian and the Rebellion. However, as Tudyk recognizes, the reprogrammed droid’s sense of humor would have been tonally jarring for Andor, and it was best to reserve his presence for the final episodes.
The reprogrammed K-2SO only appears in episodes 9, 11, and 12 of Andor season 2.
The earlier iteration of Andor would have featured far more of K-2SO, but as Tudyk suggests, it also would have made the series less unique. The show probably would have leaned into more familiar Star Wars tropes and been less bold and innovative than it ended up being.
Considering the important chapters of K-2SO’s existence that have now been shown onscreen in Andor and Rogue One, and his sacrifice in the latter story, there is not a lot of room in the Star Wars timeline for Tudyk to reprise the role. Nevertheless, Tudyk is open to playing him again and delivering more of his “honesty, mischief, petulance.”
Waiting to introduce K-2SO until the later stages of Andor worked well. That being said, I do wish the series had shown at least a little more of the early days between Cassian and K-2SO and how their friendship formed. One downside of Andor season 2’s time jumps was not getting to show this and other narrative developments.
Tudyk is phenomenal in the role and I would have loved to see just a little more between him and Cassian in Andor. I don’t see room for K-2SO in any of the Star Wars movies or shows releasing in the next few years, but I am glad to know that Tudyk would be happy to play him again if the opportunity arises.
Andor
8/10
- Release Date
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2022 – 2025-00-00
- Network
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Disney+
- Showrunner
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Tony Gilroy
