The Unbelievable Impact of Star Wars' Renowned TV Show on George Lucas' Legendary Coruscant Transformation

Summary

Andor adopted a distinct perspective when portraying Coruscant, veering away from the idealized portrayal presented in the prequels. Instead, it revealed a more somber and desolate city engulfed by Imperial control.

The creators of Andor aimed to fully engage viewers within the city by utilizing close-up shots and steering clear of expansive aerial perspectives. Drawing inspiration from Art Deco stonework found in New York, they crafted buildings with a distinctive aesthetic that minimizes the use of metals.

In Andor, the architecture of Coruscant serves as a poignant symbol of the galaxy's darkest era, reflecting the dominance of the Empire and the lack of possibilities.

Andor took a unique approach compared to George Lucas, which played a significant role in establishing it as the top Star Wars TV show. In order to narrate the story of Mon Mothma, Andor centered its plot on Coruscant, the Imperial capital of the galaxy. Although the world had already been prominently portrayed in the prequel trilogy, starting with Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, it was to some extent idealized. However, Andor's creators presented a fresh perspective by depicting the planet under Imperial control.

In an interview with the LA Times, visual effects supervisor Scott Pritchard explained that Coruscant was intentionally given a different look in Andor compared to its depiction in the Star Wars prequels.

According to Pritchard, the aim was to fully immerse the audience in the city, avoiding the use of sweeping aerial shots that portrayed the city as an afterthought. Instead, the focus was on capturing ground-level shots, as if the camera operator were right there on the scene.

The team made a conscious decision to move away from the high science fiction aesthetic of the prequels, which was reminiscent of 1950s films like "Metropolis". Instead, they opted for an Art Deco style that utilized stone materials, similar to those seen in New York. The buildings were designed to showcase a variety of stone materials, without the use of metal embellishments. Additionally, glass was used to create a pleasing reflective surface.

Darker Times Call For A Different Coruscant

The gleaming brilliance of Coruscant, as showcased in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, would seem out of place on Andor. During the reign of the Republic, Coruscant was meant to embody endless possibilities for the entire galaxy. Its towering skyscrapers captivated those who ventured there, fueling their desire to be part of its stunning allure. While a hidden, criminal underbelly lurked beneath the surface, Lucas sought to highlight the flourishing elite of Coruscant, even as the Republic hurtled towards its own downfall.

Set in 5 BBY, Andor showcases a galaxy at its lowest point. The architectural state of the galactic capital serves as a constant reminder of this desolation. Once a magnificent world, it now exudes a bleakness that leaves no room for the illusion of opportunity; only the Empire's oppressive rule prevails. While certain locations manage to retain the dazzling charm that Coruscant possessed in the prequels, such as Mon Mothma's penthouse and Luthen Rael's antiquities shop, these are merely facades, concealing the rebellious activities taking place in secret. Andor astutely utilizes Coruscant's architecture to symbolize the era it depicts, infusing the city's rejuvenated appearance under the New Republic in The Mandalorian with even greater satisfaction.