One of the most talked-about moments in Andor wasn’t a battle, a betrayal, or a spy operation — it was a speech. Now, writer Dan Gilroy has shed light on just how carefully that moment was constructed, revealing that Mon Mothma’s Senate address was inspired by some of the most significant political speeches in modern history. A speech built like history Gilroy pointed out a striking detail: Mon Mothma’s speech measures 269 words — just three words shorter than Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. That comparison wasn’t accidental. The speech’s structure and tone draw directly from Lincoln’s rhetorical style, particularly the moral clarity and sense of historic urgency found in his first inaugural address. A blend of global voices But Lincoln wasn’t the only influence. Gilroy explained that Mon’s words also echo the oratory traditions of: That combination of voices helps explain why the scene carries such weight. Rather than sounding…
Dan Gilroy
Andor Writer Dan Gilroy Explains Why Mon Mothma’s Speech Felt So Real
One of the most powerful moments in Andor wasn’t an explosion, a chase, or a secret mission — it was Mon Mothma standing in the Senate and speaking the truth, knowing exactly what it would cost her. According to Andor screenwriter Dan Gilroy, that moment didn’t come from Star Wars lore alone. It came from anger — very real, very current anger — at what he was watching unfold in the real world. Writing Star Wars Through a Real-World Lens Gilroy has revealed that as he began writing the episode featuring Mon Mothma’s Senate speech, he was closely following contemporary politics. What he saw directly shaped the scene. He described watching senators and elected officials abandon democratic principles, choosing comfort, safety, or power over accountability. That frustration carried straight into the writing process. When Mon Mothma speaks in the Senate, she isn’t just addressing the Empire. She’s confronting a system…
Dan Gilroy: How Palpatine Might’ve Snuck into Andor if It Had Spanned Five Seasons
One of the most compelling Star Wars spin-offs, Andor, concluded after two seasons—but it almost had a much different story arc. A Famous Emperor That Could Have Appeared According to writer Dan Gilroy (yes, Tony Gilroy’s brother), if Andor had gone the distance as originally planned, it likely would’ve brought Emperor Palpatine into the narrative. The show was initially envisioned as a five-season saga charting Cassian Andor’s rise and the Empire’s growing dominance. Even though Palpatine was frequently mentioned, his physical presence was always beyond reach—until now, at least in concept. Tony Gilroy previously confirmed Darth Vader was never a narrative priority. He felt that writing Vader was creatively restrictive—Palpatine, perhaps less so, but still a weighty figure to introduce. Why Andor Ended Early Andor wrapped up with a dramatic second season because the scale of production became unsustainable—both logistically and financially. Instead of traversing five chronological seasons, the team…