TLDR: Tony Gilroy, the acclaimed showrunner for the Disney+ series ‘Andor,’ has decided against releasing the Season 1 scripts online. This decision, announced in March 2025, stems from significant concerns that his extensive written work, totaling approximately 1,500 pages, could be used to train Artificial Intelligence (AI) learning software without his consent. Gilroy expressed a strong reluctance to ‘help the f***ing robots’ by providing easily digestible material for AI development, highlighting a growing apprehension within the creative community regarding intellectual property and AI’s role in content generation.
Tony Gilroy, the highly regarded showrunner and writer behind the critically acclaimed Disney+ series ‘Andor,’ has made a definitive decision not to release the first season’s scripts to the public. This announcement, which came to light in March 2025, marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate surrounding Artificial Intelligence and intellectual property rights in the entertainment industry. Gilroy’s primary motivation for withholding the scripts is his profound concern that his work could be exploited by AI learning software for training purposes.
Initially, in 2023, during ‘Andor’s’ ‘For Your Consideration’ campaign for the Emmys, Gilroy had expressed intentions to make the scripts available online. This prospect was met with considerable enthusiasm from fans and aspiring writers eager to delve into the intricate storytelling and technical craftsmanship of a series widely lauded as one of the best entries in the ‘Star Wars’ franchise. However, two years later, with ‘Andor’ Season 2 on the horizon, these plans have been reversed.
In an interview with Collider, Gilroy articulated his reasoning, stating, ‘I wanted to do it. We put it together. It’s really cool. I’ve seen it, I loved it. AI is the reason we’re not.’ He elaborated on the potential risks, emphasizing the sheer volume and detail of the material: ‘In the end, it would be 1,500 pages that came directly off this desk. I mean, terribly sadly, it’s just too much of an X-ray and too easily absorbed. Why help the f***ing robots any more than you can? So, it was an ego thing. It was vanity that makes you want to do it, and the downside is real. So, vanity loses.’
Also Read:
- Netflix Unveils Comprehensive Generative AI Guidelines for Content Production
- The Rise of “Clanker”: How a Sci-Fi Slur Became a Mainstream Anti-AI Battle Cry
This stance underscores a broader sentiment prevalent among creators who fear that their original work could be used without permission to train AI programs, some of which are being developed with the explicit aim of generating content or even replacing human writers, artists, and performers. The issue of AI’s unregulated use in entertainment was a major point of contention during the 2023 Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA strikes. While some protections were secured, the rapid advancement of AI technology continues to fuel unease within the industry. Gilroy’s decision serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by creators in safeguarding their intellectual property in the age of artificial intelligence.
