Andor creator Dan Gilroy has candidly discussed the parallels between the hit Star Wars show and the Jimmy Kimmel controversy.
Per Deadline, Gilroy talked about how Andor thematically mirrors the situation with Kimmel, and suppression of free speech and expression. He discussed how Disney is faced with a big decision surrounding Kimmel, and talked about how governments fear artists because they speak their mind. Check out his comments below:
As one of the writers on the Disney+ drama Andor, we spent six years thinking about a fascist takeover of a galaxy far, far away. Six years thinking about ordinary beings as an authoritarian regime comes in for the kill. Many people saw parallels between Andor and the real world. I see them as well, particularly in the events of the last week.
Gilroy revealed he saw parallels between Andor and the real world, referencing a fascist takeover and authoritarian regime.
Donald Trump’s tools of governance, coercion and intimidation, have found focus on Hollywood. Faced with a social media firestorm, fear, and an FCC head threatening “they can do this the easy way or hard way,” Disney suspended Jimmy Kimmel for speaking his mind. I deeply disagree but acknowledge it was a difficult decision. If you believe otherwise, wait until fate knocks on your door and demands you choose between conscience and hardship — because if you work in this industry that day is coming.
Disucssing Trump’s role in events, he talked about the difficulties that the industry faces at times like these.
The suspension bought time, but not much. Disney now stands at a crossroads: terminate Kimmel’s contract and become pavement for the road to a brave new Trumpian world; or stand for the First Amendment and take the onslaught. There’s not much at stake, just free speech, the oxygen that sustains life in this town.
Gilroy continued by mentioning that Disney stands at a crossroads, and that the First Amendment is at stake.
Trump’s aim is to control what we make and say. The concept seems far off and abstract. Neither is true. Is it hard to conjure a new oversight office or cabinet seat? Is it difficult to picture Trump toadies deplaning at LAX with binders of banned topics and mandated alternatives? You’ll meet them when you have to pitch for approval or get grilled about subversive co-workers.
He continued with an assault on the President, accusing him of aiming to control what people make and say.
Regardless of how the jack-booted attack on Jimmy Kimmel is resolved, this isn’t a skirmish. It’s a siege. The first thing Putin did after taking power was silence shows that criticized him. Artists are censored first because they fear us most. The fact this isn’t new doesn’t diminish the shock of the last few days. The majority in Hollywood believed their job was entertainment — the bolder souls attempted to inject theme and commentary — but for everyone this has suddenly become Westworld real.
The writer continued by stating that this is a siege attack, and made reference to Putin silencing critics, and referenced how Hollywood has now become like Westworld.
Whether you’re reading this on line at Blue Bottle or killing time before your 3 o’clock Zoom or staring at a glowing screen unable to sleep, we have all become characters in a story where our actions carry actual weight and consequence. Our industry faces the most sophisticated, venomous, creeping evil in America’s history. There’s no standing above this conflict. No impartial observers. If you’re on the sidelines you’ve made a choice and must live with it.
He talks about how it is important for everyone to make a choice, and push back against censorship.
Their goal is to instill fear, to make you feel helpless, hopeless, to break you down. Don’t let them. Educate yourself. Organize. Speak truth to authority. Because the story’s not written — the pen is in your hand.
Concluding, Gilroy urges readers to educate themselves, question authority, and states, “the pen is in your hand.”
More to follow…