The latest news is that Andor showrunner Tony Gilroy stops working on Season 2 and the news comes hot on the heels of scab accusations from the WGA. As you know, the WGA strike is underway and it has caused many productions to shut down. We also know that Disney sent a memo out to all their showrunners telling them that they expected them to carry out non-writing duties during the strike. EDIT CORRECTION – However, Gilroy says his conversation about ceasing all work happened on Sunday 7th and the below accusation from Abdullah Saeed was made the day after on Monday 8th, when Gilroy had already ceased work. As per the statement from Gilroy below.
THR covered the story. Here is what the trade reported.
THR Coverage
The critique of the Andor creator and executive-producer came after it was reported on Friday that Gilroy, whose scripts for season two of the Star Wars series were completed, was still contributing producing services including casting and music-related duties. Gilroy says he was not present on the show’s set and hasn’t been since the strike began May 2.
“I discontinued all writing and writing-related work on Andor prior to midnight, May 1. After being briefed on the Saturday showrunner meeting, I informed Chris Keyser at the WGA on Sunday morning that I would also be ceasing all non-writing producing functions,” Gilroy said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. When reached by phone late Tuesday, Keyser — the co-chair of the WGA’s negotiating committee — confirmed his conversation with Gilroy. Lucasfilm, which produces Andor, declined to comment.
Writer Abdullah Saeed, whose credits include creating the Onyx Collective comedy Deli Boys for Hulu, singled out Gilroy in a post on his Instagram account May 8. “This is scabbing. There’s no way a writer/producer can ‘finish’ writing and begin solely producing. And if the scripts truly are finished, let’s see ’em. If there’s one word different in the finished product, kick Tony Gilroy out of the WGA. One of the biggest writers in Hollywood could stand with his union and halt production on his hit show, thereby by forcing a major studio to consider WGA demands a little harder. Instead, he has chosen to be a SCAB! We all want Andor s2, but not at the cost of fairness to writers. #wgastrong”
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It is worth noting that it was THR who reported first the memo’s sent out by Disney to showrunners. Those memo’s were said to be union busting tactics from the mouse by representatives of the WGA. The guild argued that producing duties also require some writing components.
So far, Andor has not been stopped as far as we know. However, Gilroy will not be present whilst the strike lasts. Disney was also the target of WGA picket lines yesterday. Those protesters saw Daredevil: Born Again shut down for the day in NYC.
I’m not concerned with the business side of entertainment other than the understanding if business is bad, then no one produces said entertainment. However, I certainly sympathize with the writers of Hollywood as an aspiring writer myself. Stories are the heart of this business, and whilst much of a movie or TV project have many other factors, it all starts with a script. I’ll wait for all this entertainment until Hollywood rewards their writers a bit more. Instead of the suits saying yes and no earning all the rewards. Remember that if a writer does bad work, they may never work on the business again. Whereas if an executive makes mistakes, they either get promoted away or move into a similar position at another company. I think we could do with less executives and more writers in Hollywood.
What do you think of the news that Andor showrunner Tony Gilroy stops working on Season 2? What about the scab accusations from the WGA member? As always, leave any thoughts below.
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