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Creator Tony Gilroy puts the Star Wars series to bed once and for all: "What would it be?" Star Wars TV Shows Andor creator is glad the Star Wars show veered from its original five-season plan: "We had had no idea what we were getting into" Star Wars TV Shows Andor season 2 review: "Every bit as stellar as its predecessor – at times, it even surpasses it" Entertainment Sci-Fi Shows Star Wars TV Shows After the Andor season 2 finale, Star Wars fans are calculating how long the Death Star was actually fully operational – and it was probably only a matter of days Emily Garbutt 22 May 2025 After nearly two decades of planning, the Death Star had a very short lifespan When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Lucasfilm) Now that Andor season 2 has come to an end on Disney Plus, viewers are doing the math to work out just how long the Death Star was in action (or fully operational, you could say…) – and, well, it's not very long. The second (and final) season's finale sets up Cassian and co.'s mission to steal the plans for the Death Star, which the Rebellion has learned the existence of thanks to information from Luthen Rael's network of spies over the course of Andor season 2. These plans, which include details of a vulnerability covertly added to the superweapon's design by engineer Galen Erso, allow Luke Skywalker to successfully destroy the Death Star in the final act of Star Wars: A New Hope. However, when you look at the timeframe of Andor season 2, Rogue One, and A New Hope, it doesn't seem like the Death Star was actually out in the field for very long… You may like How does Andor season 2 set up Rogue One? Andor season 2 guide: release date, cast, trailer, plot, and more Andor season 2 ending explained: who dies in the Star Wars show, Rogue One connections, and more "So, after watching Andor S2, and realizing this show wraps up immediately before [Rogue One]. And now doing the math, if I’m not incorrect The Death Star only operated for less than a month, after over a decade of construction Right?" one fan wrote on Reddit. "Not even a month. More like a few days at most," another viewer replied. "And it had been under construction for at least 19 years. Plans for it had existed for at least 23 years, even before the reign of the Empire began." "And Palpatine's entire long-term strategy revolved around the Death Star," someone else added. "He finally felt comfortable dissolving the Senate with the Death Star at hand... Only to lose it in a matter of days." Of course, the Death Star still did plenty of damage in those few days, destroying Princess Leia's home planet of Alderaan in A New Hope and Jedha City in Rogue One. A second Death Star is being built during Return of the Jedi, but it's destroyed while still under construction. Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. All episodes of Andor season 2 are now streaming on Disney Plus. For more on the show, check out our guide to the Andor season 2 ending explained and our Andor season 2 review. See more TV Shows News Disney Plus Streaming Services Emily Garbutt Social Links Navigation Entertainment Writer I’m an Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, covering everything film and TV-related across the Total Film and SFX sections. I help bring you all the latest news and also the occasional feature too. I’ve previously written for publications like HuffPost and i-D after getting my NCTJ Diploma in Multimedia Journalism. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. How does Andor season 2 set up Rogue One? Andor season 2 guide: release date, cast, trailer, plot, and more Andor season 2 ending explained: who dies in the Star Wars show, Rogue One connections, and more The most upsetting part of the Andor season 2 finale isn't what you think it is Will there be an Andor season 3? Creator Tony Gilroy puts the Star Wars series to bed once and for all: "What would it be?" Andor creator is glad the Star Wars show veered from its original five-season plan: "We had had no idea what we were getting into" Latest in Star Wars TV Shows Andor fans are paying tribute to the show's saddest death: "True unsung hero, nobody will ever know what he sacrificed" Andor's Tony Gilroy doesn't know whether Star Wars creator George Lucas has seen the Disney Plus show: "I've only spoken to him once, after Rogue One" Star Wars fans have spotted a neat parallel between the beginning and end of Andor season 2, and it explains a late season plot hole One of Andor season 2's biggest breakout stars wants to play Lara Croft A Jyn Erso cameo in the Andor season 2 finale would've been "disrespectful," says Tony Gilroy: "I'd rather honor Rogue and keep it straight" The Andor season 2 finale features a deep-cut Easter egg referencing George Lucas' debut movie from 1971 Latest in News As Star Wars Battlefront 2 surges in popularity once more, Andor star joins the chorus of fans begging EA for a sequel: "Give us Battlefront 3 ASAP" A new movie from Worst Person in the World director has debuted to a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score and a massive 19 minute standing ovation at Cannes Crunchyroll's Anime Awards is honoring "visionary creators and groundbreaking works" with a new award – and the first recipient is Attack on Titan 12 years after The Last of Us' ambiguous ending sparked a decade of debate, creator Neil Druckmann has settled it: "Our intent was that they could have made a cure" Reacher star Alan Ritchson says season 4 could be the "best season yet" as he gets back into Reacher shape Philippou brothers tease "horrific" Talk to Me 2 as they hype up specific scene as "one of the best things" they'll ever shoot GAME REVIEWS MOVIE REVIEWS Monster Train 2 review: "A truly first class ride through deckbuilder roguelike heaven, and I'm already going off the rails" Blades of Fire review: "Following up Metroid Dread with a dark fantasy soulslike full of inventive ideas that I find delightfully infectious" Elden Ring: The Board Game - Realm of the Grafted King review: "A disappointing experience" Dune: Imperium - Bloodlines review: "Make it a default part of your games" Doom: The Dark Ages review: "Some may appreciate the greater focus on close-quarters, but others will find themselves nostalgic for the simple joys of double jumps" Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning review: "Wraps up this spy franchise in spectacular style with Tom Cruise in peak condition, even if its villain lacks terror" Final Destination Bloodlines Review: "Meticulous murderous mayhem" Thunderbolts review: "Makes good on the promise of a new start for the MCU" A Minecraft Movie Review: "Jack Black's irrepressible star turn helps elevate this video game adaptation" The Electric State review: "Although this may be their most visually stunning movie yet, it looks like the Russos are yet to find their footing outside of the MCU" Rick and Morty season 8 review: "Largely plays it too safe after years of crossing boundaries" Doctor Who season 2, episode 6 spoiler review: 'The Interstellar Song Contest' is "a blast and sets the stage for a thrilling season finale" Doctor Who season 2, episode 5 spoiler review: 'The Story & The Engine' is "one of the most original and ambitious episodes this show has produced in years" Doctor Who season 2, episode 4 spoiler review: 'Lucky Day' has a "genuinely surprising" mid-episode reveal The Walking Dead: Dead City season 2 review: "Almost 350 episodes into this franchise, it's nice to know it can still surprise us" GamesRadar+ is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. 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