Deadline is reporting that Toby Haynes, the director of the hit Black Mirror episode ‘U.S.S. Callister’ is taking over directorial duties from Tony Gilroy on the first three episodes of Disney+’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’s Cassian Andor spin-off series
Reports say that Gilroy stepped away from the director’s chair for COVID-19-related travel reasons. UK-based Haynes, who Deadline notes was already high on the list of directors for future episodes, made the most sense to take over. The decision is reportedly mutual from all parties involved.
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Haynes is known in the UK television world for directing some very well-regarded work incuding episodes of Doctor Who, Sherlock, Being Human, and the entire Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell mini-series. His work on Black Mirror led the ‘U.S.S. Callister’ episode to an impressive awards run, landing four Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Television Movie and Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special. He will also direct the upcoming U.S. remake of Utopia.
The prequel series centers on the Cassian Andor character (Diego Luna, reprising his role from the film) and is in pre-production with plans to start shooting next month. Alan Tudyk is also set to reprise his role from Rogue One, playing K-2SO. Joining the pair are Adria Arjona, Denise Gough, Genevieve O’Reilly, Stellan Skarsgard, and Kyle Soller.