Why was Bail Organa recast in Andor Season 2? Reason behind Jimmy Smits' exit, explored

Bail Organa is one of the more influential figures in the political world of Star Wars. For fans of the franchise, it came as a surprise to see Benjamin Bratt portray Bail Organa in the Disney+ Star Wars spin-off series, Andor Season 2. The role was previously played by Jimmy Smits.

Showrunner and creator of Andor, Tony Gilroy shared that Jimmy Smits did not reprise the role due to scheduling conflict.

While talking about the casting change to Collider, showrunner and creator of Andor Tony Gilroy shared:

“Bringing back the legacy characters is always a complicated process between money and scheduling and territory and everything else. Obviously, in a perfect world, he would come back. They just couldn't put it together. He was doing a television series that was peaking at that point in time, and it just couldn't work out. Finally, we have to have him because we have to. You have to have him. Ben was such a brilliant get as a replacement."

Jimmy Smits has previously appeared as Senator Bail Organa in the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.

Benjamin Bratt is known for his roles in Traffic, Miss Congeniality and Blood In Blood Out among others.

In the past, many of the legacy characters have made appearances with the use of de-age technology, the most significant being the cameo of Luke Skywalker (played by Mark Hamill) inThe Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. Having another actor reprise an important role such as this has met with positive response from the fans.

Who is Bail Organa in Star Wars?

Bail Organa is a senator from the planet Alderaan. He belongs to the royal family and is known for his honest political opinion. Senator Padme Amidala (played by Natalie Portman) and Bail Organa shared a friendship, and both oppose Chancellor Palpatine’s way of governing the galaxy.

Bail Organa would often use his power to help aid people in need during the imperial rule. He worked with Obi-Wan Kenobi (played by Ewan McGregor) and Yoda, and supported the Jedi Order.

Before the fall of Republic, Bail Organa and his wife adopt Padme’s daughter, Leia (played by Carrie Fisher), who would become the princess of Alderaan. Bail Organa works with Mon Mothma (played by Genevieve O'Reilly) in the rebel movement against the Empire. Leia follows his footsteps as she leads the rebellion.

In Andor, a younger Bail Organa makes a brief appearance. Since he has a significant role in the sequel movie Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, it remains to be seen if we will get more of Benjamin Bratt as Bail Organa.

Andor follows the story of a rebellion movement against the Galactic Empire. The series serves as a prequel to the film, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which released in 2016, and in turn was a prequel to the original Star Wars movies. Andor the series is created by Tony Gilroy.

Andor Season 2 is currently streaming on Disney+

ALSO READ: A look at the badass women of the hit Star Wars series Andor

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