With the story of Andor season 2 set to tie even more into the formation of the Star Wars TV show that's known for being more boots-on-the-ground rather than fantastical, will likely refrain from oversaturating its season 2 with cameos, it does seem as if the franchise is setting up one important possibility. As the Rebel Alliance forms, the Galactic Empire prepares to move against it, and one character is key in this.

The newly released Star Wars Encyclopedia includes Grand Moff Tarkin's story, including an instance that connects him deeply to the Ghorman Massacre - an event that's already set to be a focus in Andor season 2. The Ghormans were mentioned in the Imperial Senate by Mon Mothma in Andor season 1, and long before then, it was revealed that Mon Mothma had to flee the Empire after publicly blaming Palpatine for their actions during the Ghorman Massacre. Tarkin's involvement in this key event, which will no doubt be shown, seems to suggest that he could make an important appearance.

Tarkin's atrocities, including those on Ghorman, cause a public outcry that leads to him being reassigned to overseeing pacification operations in the Western Reaches. When the Salient system in the region resists the Empire, Tarkin confronts the Salient Battle Group and Saw Gerrera's Partisans, who are in league with them. He quashes the battle group and takes over the system.

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What Tarkin's Story Could Mean For Andor Season 2

The Ghorman Massacre & The Death Star

Tarkin's story would fit perfectly into the timeline of Director Krennic confirmed to appear.

Our Take On The Prospect Of More Tarkin In Andor Season 2

There Are Complications To Bringing Tarkin Back

This, however, would be a difficult feat to achieve. Tarkin's appearance in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story was, and still is to a degree, highly controversial, causing a legal battle with Peter Cushing's estate that's still ongoing. It's hard to imagine that Lucasfilm would willingly get itself into deeper waters with this, though there are certainly other options. A full recast would no doubt be the best choice, but Lucasfilm has been hesitant to do so in recent years, as proven by the CGI recreations of Luke Skywalker in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett.

Still, given how important Tarkin's story is to the overall narrative of Andor season 2, it seems likely that Star Wars could have finally made an exception to this rule - or at least found a creative way around it. Andor season 1 proved that this show and its creators are willing to take risks, and that those risks pay off. It wouldn't be surprising, then, to discover how Tony Gilroy, Diego Luna, and more of the creative team managed to bring Tarkin to life once again, should that be the avenue taken with the Ghorman Massacre in Andor season 2.

Andor season 2 premieres April 22, 2025 on Disney+.

Source: Star Wars Encyclopedia