Disney's acclaimed "Star Wars" series "Andor" has set a new spending record, with its second season costing $290.9 million in production expenses through November 2023, according to recently filed UK financial records. This brings the total production cost across both seasons to approximately $645 million.
The amount spent on Season 2 surpasses the previous record holder for a "Star Wars" production - "The Last Jedi" which cost $280.7 million during its production period ending March 2019.
The $291 million figure for Season 2 is expected to climb even higher, as it only accounts for spending until November 22nd, 2023. Production faced delays due to the SAG-AFTRA strikes in late 2023, with filming resuming in January 2024 and wrapping in February. Additional post-production and visual effects work throughout 2024 will add substantially to the final tally.
The high costs can be partially attributed to the show's extensive use of practical effects and physical sets rather than relying primarily on digital elements. As the production is based in the UK, financial statements must be publicly filed, offering rare transparency into streaming show budgets.
The series has benefited from UK film incentives, receiving $129.3 million in tax reimbursements. Despite the massive spending, financial statements indicate the production remains within its planned budget.
For comparison, another upcoming "Star Wars" series "The Acolyte" costs approximately $231 million for eight episodes, averaging $28.75 million per episode. With "Andor" Season 2 spanning 12 episodes, its per-episode costs may end up comparable once final post-production expenses are tallied.
The investment reflects Disney's commitment to delivering high-production value content for its streaming platform, though marketing costs remain undisclosed in these financial reports. The acclaimed Star Wars series "Andor" is reaping the benefits of its first season's success, with showrunner Tony Gilroy revealing that the show's critical acclaim has granted him unprecedented creative freedom for the upcoming second season.