Andor star Adria Arjona almost starred in Solo: A Star Wars Story, but is "so thankful" she didn't get the part

In the spring of 2018, Arjona sat for a screen test for the charismatic smuggler Qi’ra under the direction of Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, alongside lead Alden Ehrenreich. The audition, which she describes as the most nerve‑wracking moment of her career, ultimately resulted in the part being awarded to Emilia Clarke, fresh from Game of Thrones. While Arjona expressed admiration for Clarke’s talent, she also noted that missing the role allowed her to secure the recurring character Bix Caleen on Disney+’s Andor—a series that ran two seasons, earned critical acclaim, and is widely regarded as one of the strongest entries in the Star Wars television canon. By contrast, Solo received a lukewarm reception from critics and fans, suggesting that Arjona’s “what‑if” scenario may have placed her in a less celebrated project.

The near‑miss underscores two broader industry trends. First, Star Wars casting has increasingly sought to diversify its roster, with Arjona representing a rare Latin‑American presence in a franchise historically dominated by white actors. Her candid discussion of feeling a responsibility to “break that wall” reflects ongoing conversations about representation in blockbuster franchises. Second, the shift from big‑budget theatrical releases to high‑quality streaming series is evident: Andor’s success illustrates Disney’s strategy of deepening the saga through episodic storytelling, while Solo’s mixed reviews highlight the risk of standalone films that lack the narrative weight of the broader canon. Arjona’s trajectory—from a potential film role to a pivotal TV character and now a rumored DC superhero—mirrors the fluid movement of talent across platforms and genres in today’s content ecosystem.

Looking ahead, Arjona’s upcoming involvement in the DC film Man of Tomorrow—speculated to be a Wonder Woman cameo—will test whether her Star Wars credibility translates to mainstream superhero audiences. If confirmed, the casting could signal DC’s willingness to tap actors with strong streaming pedigrees to refresh legacy characters. Observers should monitor official casting announcements, box‑office projections for the Superman sequel, and any further statements from Arjona about representation, as these will indicate how studios balance star power, diversity, and franchise continuity.