Andy Serkis has discussed his return toStar Warsin the critically acclaimedAndorseries, all the while addressing the confusion that he feared would result from him portraying two different characters in the galaxy far, far away. Serkis made hisStar Warsdebut asSupreme Leader Snokein 2015’sStar Wars: The Force Awakens, 7 years before he would officially make his return as Kino Loy inAndorseason 1. Serkis had one of the most celebrated performances inAndoras Kino Loy, and Serkis has now provided insight as to how that character came to life.
Speaking exclusively to Screen Rant, Serkis first addressed his initial concerns about returning toStar Wars, given how significant his first role was. “People were so confused with Snoke,” Serkis insisted, referencing the various theories made about Snoke during theStar Warssequel trilogy. “Are they going to start thinking that Kino Loy’s some weird cousin of Snoke? This is going to confuse the hell out of people.” According to Serkis, however,it was Tony Gilroy’s script that completely sold him onAndor.
I love that show. I loved it because Tony Gilroy is such a genius writer. It’s all about the writing.
I remember him talking to me early on, and I was like, “Am I going back into Star Wars universe? People were so confused with Snoke. Are they going to start thinking that Kino Loy’s some weird cousin of Snoke? This is going to confuse the hell out of people” But then I read the script, I went in and read the script and met with Tony and he said, “Look, I want to make the Star Wars universe feel real. I want to write about themes that means something to me. I want to write about fascism and power and the abuse of power, and I can do it in this arena and make it resonate, and it’ll feel real and grounded.”
“I was sold, and then I read the character and loved the character,” Serkis revealed, citing Gilroy’s own desire to “write about fascism and power and the abuse of power” in a way that felt “real and grounded,” even in theStar Warsgalaxy. Kino Loy, however, became more than just a character for Serkis, who took real-life inspiration from a family member.“I actually based him on a brother-in-law of mine who was a quite strong union guy who then lost his way,“Serkis shared. “Then, through meeting Cassian, he finds himself again and leads them to freedom.”
I was sold, and then I read the character and loved the character. It was someone who, in a prior life, was probably a standup guy who stood up for other people and for other workers' rights. I imagined that he was, and I actually based him on a brother-in-law of mine who was a quite strong union guy who then lost his way. That was all to do with the fact that, psychologically, when there was a strike, he ended up trying to save his own family and crossing the picket line, and it did his head in.
So, I based Kino Loy on someone who lost his way and stopped caring about other people in order to save himself. Then, through meeting Cassian, he finds himself again and leads them to freedom. I always try and hook into something that feels real or tangible to make the character work.
What Andy Serkis' Return As Kino Loy Means For Star Wars
It Gives Serkis Justice Where Snoke Failed Him
Given that Snoke ended up being quite anticlimactic, Serkis' return as Kino Loy gave this legendary actor the chance to really shine inStar Wars. He became one of theStar WarsTV show’s most beloved characters, andhis role in the episode “One Way Out” helped to make it not only the most highly rated episode ofAndor, but also one of the most highly rated episodes ofStar Warstelevision period(according to IMDb). While Kino Loy’s fate inStar Warsis undetermined, he will always be a key part of the franchise’s most critically acclaimed TV show.
Will Kino Loy Return In Andor Season 2?
The Character Seemed To Meet His Fate In Season 1…
There have long since been swirling rumors about Serkis returning as Kino Loy inAndorseason 2, though season 1 seemed to hint that Kino ultimately met his fate while trying to escape the prison on Narkina 5. Thankfully,Serkis confirmed Kino Loy’s return inAndorseason 2last year, assuring audiences thatthe character had found a way to stay alive despite the circumstances. What exactly Kino Loy will be up to is unknown as of yet, but it’s very likely that thisAndorfan-favorite character will once again follow Cassian’s lead.
Andor
Cast
Andor is a Star Wars prequel series set before the events of Rogue One, following Cassian Andor as he navigates a world of danger and deception. The series delves into his transformation into a pivotal figure in the struggle against the Galactic Empire.
