Collaborative Joy: A Chat with Beau Willimon Behind Andor and Severance
"Scribe in the Stars: Beau Willimon Tackles Star Wars with 'Andor'
In an engaging chat with Variety, Beau Willimon, head honcho behind acclaimed series like Apple TV+'s Severance and the episodes of Andor, dives into the universe of sci-fi storytelling.
With a casual, lighthearted air, Willimon describes his experience on Star Wars as akin to "being a session musician on someone's album." His journey with Andor developer Tony Gilroy started on the electrifying Netflix series House of Cards, where Gilroy donned the consulting producer hat.
"When he wanted me to write a few episodes for Andor, I thought he was just joking," Willimon shares, "I may have grown up with and have an undying love for Star Wars, but I'm no fanatic." Gilroy's response? "He said, 'Don't worry about the "Star Wars" aspect; I want to tell a mature, human story.' "
Nurturing a six-week crime caper narrative with Tony and Dan Gilroy, Willimon relished the chance to 'just write', a luxurious liberty he hadn't previously experienced. As he puts it, "All I had to do was write scripts for my buddy Tony Gilroy. If he liked them, I was cool."
Praising the second season of Andor, Willimon offers, "I'm immensely proud of the second season."
Willimon also delved into the intricate world of Severance for its second season, an unusual role for him as an executive producer. Collaborating with the talented writers, he confides, "It was a unique adventure, as there's nothing quite like Severance. I enjoy projects where I'm challenged, and I was testing myself to contribute to the second season's expansion."
In light of his work on Andor and Severance, the producer-writer now appreciates the rewards of producing. "At times, I have the emotional distance and a fresh perspective to offer. It can also prove useful on a practical level. I don't bear the emotional burden, I can simply help nurture this novel project."
Fans eager for more? Prepare for forthcoming Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek content, and stay tuned for further updates on the DC Universe on the silver and small screens. With Doctor Who, it's patiently waiting for your attention.
Insights:- Beau Willimon's work on Andor has been recognized for its exploration of mature themes, with particular emphasis on civil liberties against the backdrop of an ever-growing Empire[1][2][3].- Tony Gilroy's guidance and mentorship played a vital role in Willimon's experience of writing for television[1].- The future projects of Beau Willimon include the script for director James Mangold's Film, "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes", although it's possible he may be working on a different project under Mangold's direction, given the lack of specificity about the Apes film[2]. There is no recent information linking Willimon to "Severance" as an executive producer, though he is known for his work across diverse mediums.
- Beau Willimon, who has recently been praised for his mature and human exploration of the Star Wars universe in 'Andor', alludes to a future project with director James Mangold, possibly working on a new film yet to be specified.
- In the realm of television, tech-centric media outlets like io9 and Gizmodo might anticipate Willimon's involvement in upcoming Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, and DC Universe content, as he works tirelessly to bring engaging entertainment to viewers on both the big and small screens.
- Apart from television and movies, avid fans awaiting the return of Doctor Who on the small screen may also find solace in the thought of Beau Willimon's potential future projects that could captivate audiences across various platforms within the world of science fiction and entertainment.
