Zootopia Director Reflects on His Unused Andor Pilot

Jared Bush, the creative mind behind Zootopia and a key figure at Disney Animation, has revealed an intriguing chapter from his career: he originally wrote the pilot episode for Andor, the Star Wars series that would later become a critical darling. Bush, however, stepped away from the galaxy far, far away to focus on directing Encanto, leaving the project in other hands.

During a recent appearance on The Town with Matthew Belloni, Bush confirmed the story. When Belloni remarked, “you wrote the original Andor pilot,” Bush replied, “that is true.” The conversation took a light-hearted turn as Belloni suggested Bush had been “fired,” prompting Bush to clarify: “Well, actually, I was never fired… No. That was when Encanto was coming up and I had to make a choice.”

Reflecting on the finished product, Bush shared a candid moment from his own living room.

“I literally just had a conversation with Kathy [Lucasfilm boss Kathleen Kennedy] last week, where I sat down with my kids. They wanted to binge both seasons 1 and season 2, and it's phenomenal.”

He went on to admit,

“It's not what I would have done with that. And I think that's a really important piece of what we do in this industry, which is you do want a storyteller's point of view and perspective. And, obviously, Tony's work on so many films, but especially Rogue One, which I thought was tremendous, that's why I was excited about Andor in the first place, because of that work.”

Creative Crossroads

Bush’s comments offer a rare glimpse into the creative crossroads that often shape major productions. Rather than a tale of professional rivalry, his account suggests a more collaborative, if sometimes bittersweet, process.

“So, you know, I think so often I think that the narrative is sort of these battles between folks. We're all creative people that are just trying to make something that matters.”

The final version of Andor, steered by Tony Gilroy, has since been hailed as one of the most acclaimed live-action entries in the Star Wars universe, particularly with its second series drawing widespread praise.

For Bush, the decision to leave Andor was not a dismissal but a matter of timing and opportunity. Encanto, the film he chose to direct instead, would go on to become a major success for Disney, further cementing his reputation in animation.

What’s Next for Star Wars and Disney Animation

As the Star Wars franchise continues to expand, anticipation now turns to The Mandalorian and Grogu, set to arrive in cinemas this May. Meanwhile, Zootopia 2 has quietly surpassed $1.6 billion at the global box office, a testament to the enduring appeal of Bush’s earlier work.

For those eager to keep up with the ever-growing Star Wars slate, a comprehensive guide to upcoming films and series is available, ensuring fans won’t miss a beat as new stories unfold across the galaxy.