The Star Wars TV series could have included the franchise’s first use of the word “f**k,” but in the end, the editors opted for a different, more crowd-friendly word instead.
Andor director Benjamin Caron said on the Reel Blend podcast (via GamesRadar) that the original idea for Maarva’s funeral included the character giving a speech from beyond the grave via hologram capped off by the words, “F**k the Empire!”
This was writer/showrunner Tony Gilroy’s idea, and it was even filmed, even though there was little chance of it making the final cut.
“That was all Tony,” Caron said. “Right from the very beginning, he was like, ‘We’re gonna do this. We’re gonna get away with this. I mean, Disney have said no. But there is no way, I am not letting them get away with this.’ And I was like, ‘All right, okay, we’re going to do it.'”
Maarva actress Fiona Shaw delivered the line, “F**k the Empire!” but an unnamed producer stepped in and said Shaw needed to say a different line instead as a “safety.”
Caron said he remembers thinking, “‘Oh, come on.’ They were like, ‘You need a safety.’ In my head, when I see that, I hear ‘f**k the Empire,’ not ‘fight the Empire.'”
Maarva putting the Empire on blast with such a strong word would have fit, tonally, with the scene. Maarva died previously but recorded a speech to be played at her funeral, and using the word “f**k” seemingly would have helped even further rally the rebellion cause against the Empire. It might have been an even more powerful mic drop moment. But alas. It was not meant to be. The scene is still very powerful and emotional, even without the word–check it out above.
Andor Season 2 is now in the works, but it’s not expected to be released un 2024. While fans have to wait a while for Andor to return, Season 3 of The Mandalorian lands on March 1 on Disney Plus.
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