The entertainment landscape is evolving rapidly, and with it, franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe are facing growing criticism. ‘Andor’ creator and showrunner Tony Gilroy challenges Marvel’s prevailing formulas that once captivated millions.
Ever since ‘Endgame‘ the MCU has grown down a slope with its new projects not impressing fans. Gilroy believes that this oversaturation is caused by the film’s repetitive nature.
Tony Gilroy Believes Overusing Storylines Caused Marvel’s Downfall
In a candid interview with SlashFilm, Gilroy didn’t mince words about what he believes is causing Marvel’s downfall: an overdose of narrative repetition. “The Tesseract! That’s why all those Marvel movies are all, that’s why they fail,” he exclaimed, after momentarily forgetting the name of the now-iconic cosmic cube. “You’re just constantly … if that’s all you’re doing, then all you’re doing is just trying to get the Tesseract.”
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Gilroy’s remark, while delivered with a bit of humor and frustration, strikes at the heart of an ongoing conversation among fans and critics alike. While the MCU enjoyed years of unprecedented success, many of its recent films have faltered due to the reliance on familiar tropes. Moreover, his criticism is connected to how he redefined the storytelling within ‘Andor’, one of the most critically acclaimed Star Wars projects.
The original iterations of the ‘Andor’ script reportedly revolved around the kind of weekly, planet-hopping adventures that fans might expect from a traditional sci-fi epic. However, Gilroy saw a deeper, more emotionally resonant path. He scrapped the initial adventure-driven format and opted instead for a slow-burning, character-focused narrative. “That’s something I always intended,” Gilroy explained. While Marvel often emphasizes the spectacle, ‘Andor’ had more depth.
The Emotional Depth Of ‘Andor’s Finale And What Comes Next
That emotional core reached its apex in ‘Andor’ Season 2, which concluded on May 13, 2025. The finale delivered a powerful gut punch to fans as it chronicled the final years of Cassian Andor’s life. However, it wasn’t just Cassian’s fate that left viewers impressed, it was the layered, bittersweet closure between him and Bix Caleen.
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What began as a friendship between Cassian and Bix blossomed into a romance grounded in shared trauma, resistance, and fleeting joy. In a heart-wrenching turn, Bix chose to leave Cassian so that he could pursue his mission without being burdened by emotional ties. The final revelation, that she bore his child, a child he would never meet, was nothing short of devastating.
Still, Gilroy insists that the show ends on a note of hope. “It does exactly what you said. I think it makes his sacrifice that much more bitter,” he said. “And… I was desperate to end on a hopeful note. ‘Rebellions are built on hope’ isn’t just a T-shirt, it’s a legit flame that a lot of people need to see.”
According to industry scooper Daniel Richtman (via SFFGazette.com), Bix’s story may not end with Andor. Rumors suggest that Lucasfilm has more plans for the character in future Star Wars projects. Moreover, the contrast between Andor and the MCU is stark. Where one clings to nostalgia and spectacle, the other breaks new ground through vulnerability and depth.
