Zootopia Director Reflects on Original Andor Pilot and Praises Final Series

Jared Bush, best known for his work on Zootopia and as a leading figure at Disney Animation, has opened up about his early involvement with the Star Wars universe. Before taking the reins on Encanto, Bush actually wrote the initial pilot for Andor, the Star Wars spin-off that would later become a critical darling under Tony Gilroy’s direction.

During a chat on The Town with Matthew Belloni podcast, Bush confirmed the story when asked if he had written the first Andor script. He was quick to clarify, though, that he wasn’t shown the door.

“Well, actually, I was never fired… No. That was when Encanto was coming up and I had to make a choice.”

Bush explained that the timing simply meant he had to pick between two major projects, and he opted to focus on the animated musical that would go on to be a massive hit.

Comparing Visions: Bush vs Gilroy

Belloni couldn’t resist a bit of banter, joking that Andor turned out “okay” in the end. Bush responded with a laugh, sharing a recent experience with his family.

“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.”

Bush highlighted the value of different creative approaches, noting that Tony Gilroy’s background—especially his work on Rogue One—was a big part of what drew him to Andor in the first place.

“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.”

Star Wars and Disney Animation: What’s Next

With Andor’s second season now widely regarded as the most critically acclaimed live-action Star Wars project to date, Bush’s original script remains a fascinating ‘what if’ for fans. Meanwhile, the Star Wars universe keeps rolling on, with The Mandalorian and Grogu set to hit cinemas on May 22. Punters are already keen to see what’s next for Din Djarin and his little mate.

On the animation front, Zootopia 2 has smashed box office records, raking in over $1.6 billion worldwide. For those eager to keep up with all things Star Wars, there’s a full slate of upcoming films and series on the horizon, promising plenty more adventures in a galaxy far, far away.