Stalin’s Shadow: The Real-Life Inspiration Behind Andor

The Star Wars series “Andor,” created by Tony Gilroy, draws inspiration from the early life of Joseph Stalin and a historical bank robbery he orchestrated. The heist took place on June 26, 1907, in Yerevan Square, Tiflis (now Tbilisi, Georgia), where a gang linked to the Bolshevik revolutionary movement stole 300,000 roubles (approximately $1 million at the time). The robbery resulted in a tragic loss of life, with 40 people killed and dozens more injured.

Joseph Stalin, known at the time as Ioseb Besarionis dze Jughashvili, was the charismatic leader behind this violent robbery. He would later become infamous as the dictator of the Soviet Union. Tony Gilroy was influenced by Simon Sebag Montefiore’s 2007 book “Young Stalin,” which delves into Stalin’s early life and the historical robbery, providing a narrative foundation for “Andor.”

The series explores themes of character development, particularly focusing on Cassian Andor, who evolves from a thief into a revolutionary figure. “Andor” emphasizes realism, presenting the complexities of rebellion against oppressive regimes and highlighting elements of daily life within an empire. Unlike previous Star Wars films that typically depict a binary good versus evil narrative, “Andor” showcases grounded storytelling. It employs three-episode arcs to illustrate the gradual social and political dominance and the ensuing resistance.

The second season of “Andor” premiered on Disney+ on April 22, 2024, continuing the exploration of rebellion and resistance against authoritarianism.

Source: BBC