Andor’s Luthen Rael actor Stellan Skarsgård has proven he completely understands the true message of Star Wars. Andor feels truly revolutionary among Star Wars movies and TV shows, in part because it proves how successful the franchise can be in moving beyond the Skywalker family, the Jedi, and even the Force. In addition to this, Andor reified what the original messages of Star Wars always were, from remaining loyal to one’s friends and loved ones to being willing to sacrifice it all to overthrow an oppressive regime.
Now, Andor’s Luthen Rael actor, Stellan Skarsgård, has proven that he fully understands what Star Wars is really all about. In an interview posted on starwars.com, Skarsgård explained:
“Even if you play a hard guy like Luthen…he doesn’t have to be hard all the time. And if he doesn’t have empathy, then he has got nothing to do in the revolution, because the reason for revolution is empathy.”
Although it’s easy to get caught up in the action and excitement on screen when it comes to war and rebellion in the galaxy far, far away, Skarsgård is absolutely right: Star Wars, and revolution more broadly, is really about empathy.
What Luthen’s Sense Of Empathy Means For Star Wars
This Is A Stark Contrast To Saw Gerrera—And It’s So Needed
Although Andor is right that everybody has their own revolution, and it’s important that those myriad experiences come together, as that is what will ultimately mean victory, there’s a stark contrast between Luthen’s empathy and some other characters’ approaches to rebellion. Specifically, Luthen’s more empathetic approach is entirely separate from Saw Gerrera’s. Essentially, Saw Gerrera will stop at nothing and has no qualms about committing heinous acts if it means overthrowing the Empire.
While that’s a complex situation, Skarsgård’s read on the situation feels like the correct one. Yes, the Empire had to be stopped, but what set the Rebellion apart from the Rebellion (and, arguably, even the Republic during the Clone Wars) was that level of humanity and empathy. In fact, we’ve already seen that sentiment resurface at a different point in the Star Wars timeline, with the New Republic in Ahsoka.
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Luthen & Kleya’s Relationship Is A Perfect Example Of What Motivates Revolution
This Is Yet Another Reminder Of What Star Wars Is Really About
In addition to the focus on empathy in Andor season 2, Kleya and Luthen’s relationship, especially in season 2, was a perfect reminder of what remains at the heart of Star Wars, and that’s family. Although it wasn’t clear in A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi both revealed just how critical family was when it came to acts of rebellion. The Star Wars prequel trilogy only reinforced the importance (and complication) of family ties.
In the end, while attachments may remain a complex topic in Star Wars, it is loyalty to and love of family that is consistently a motivator in this franchise. After all, family, and the hope for the future that family can represent, is an integral part of these stories. The dynamic and history between Kleya and Luthen, which was finally revealed in the final three-episode arc of Andor season 2, reinforced this message. This just goes to show that Andor, and the show’s biggest stars, really do understand Star Wars on a deeper level.
Source: starwars.com
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
- Directors
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Susanna White
- Writers
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Dan Gilroy