By Josh Bate
After Obi-Wan Kenobi concluded last month with the six and final episode of the limited series, the Star Wars franchise still shows no signs of slowing down.
On the horizon are multiple television shows, all of which will air on Disney+, including the highly anticipated The Mandalorian season 3, The Bad Batch, and Ahsoka. The latter is currently in production in California.
On the theatrical side, there is Star Wars: Rogue Squadron, which looks to be a few years away at least after some delays in the screenwriting process. There’s also Taika Waititi’s film set in a galaxy far, far away, which is set to go into production early next year.
Before all that, though, there is Andor, the prequel to Rogue One that tells the story of the earlier years of Diego Luna’s rebel hero. Despite Kenobi finishing not too long ago, Andor is closer than some fans might think as the first two episodes premiere on August 30.
At Star Wars Celebration Anaheim in May, showrunner Tony Gilroy revealed that the first season of Andor would be 12 episodes, set five years before Rogue One, and the second outing would consist of the same number of episodes that would take the series right up to the spin-off film. Production on the second season is set to begin this fall.
Andor is very neatly placed in the Star Wars timeline, directly related to Rogue One and A New Hope but also sharing connections with Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars Rebels, and more. Here’s everything you need to watch before Andor:
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
After the rise of the Galactic Empire in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005) and before the Battle of Yavin in Star Wars (1977), Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) follows the outcast Jyn Erso and how she came to join the Rebel Alliance. Joining the Alliance, Jyn finds herself in the middle of the ultimate conflict between the Rebels and the Empire: her father Galen has built a terrifying super-weapon: The Death Star, a battle station capable of destroying an entire planet. Will Jyn and the Rebels be able to save her father from the Empire and cripple their super-weapon, or will it be too late?
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope
Imperial Forces, under orders from the evil Darth Vader, hold Princess Leia hostage in their efforts to quell the rebellion against the Galactic Empire. Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, a wise Jedi Master, work together with Han Solo, companionable droid duo R2-D2 and C-3PO, and Chewbacca to rescue the princess, help the Rebel Alliance and restore freedom and justice to the galaxy.
Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith
Nearly three years have passed since the beginning of the Clone Wars. The Republic, with the help of the Jedi, take on Count Dooku and the Separatists. With a new threat rising, the Jedi Council sends Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker to aid the captured Chancellor. Anakin feels he is ready to be promoted to Jedi Master. Obi-Wan is hunting down the Separatist General, Grievous. When Anakin has future visions of pain and suffering coming Padmé’s way, he sees Master Yoda for counsel. When Darth Sidious executes Order 66, it destroys most of all the Jedi have built. Experience the birth of Darth Vader. Feel the betrayal that leads to hatred between two brothers. And witness the power of hope.
Star Wars Rebels: In The Name Of The Rebellion (Parts I and II)
As members of the Rebel Alliance, Ezra and the Ghost crew must accept a mission to spy on an Imperial outpost they would rather destroy. After being separated from Hera and Kanan, the Jedi padawan, along with Sabine, join the desperate quest of Saw Gerrera to hunt down the Empire’s elusive secret superweapon.