‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ Offers New Details As Director Promises A ‘Dark Tone’

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story promises to be a tale of its one, but with elements from the original Star Wars trilogy that will ensure a loyal following from traditional fans. Kathleen Kennedy, who now serves as Lucasfilm president, and is the authority over all Star Wars projects, reveals that there’s still debate going on as to which classic Star Wars elements will eventually make it into Rogue One, and, while some news may disappoint fans, Kennedy reveals that one supporting character from the original trilogy will play a significant role in Rogue One.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Details Give A Greater Glimpse At The Plot

New details about Rogue One have emerged and, while it was previously known that the stand alone Star Wars film would involve the rebels obtaining the plans for the first Death Star via Jyn Erso, played by Felicity Jones, the latest information helps to flesh out that plot in greater detail. The greatest revelation comes with the news that one character from Return of the Jedi will play a major part in Rogue One. Kathleen Kennedy says that Mon Mothma, referred to as “the Mother of the Rebellion” and known to Star Wars fans as the rebel leader to have delivered the Return of the Jedi pilot briefing, will be in Rogue One and will play a significantly larger role.

“We actually see quite a bit of her,” says Kennedy. “The Rebel alliance is in disarray. Pretty panicked. Up against it. And she is trying the best she can to provide the leadership, in amongst a wide variety of Rebel soldiers that have very differing opinions as to what to do.”

Mothma is instrumental in sending Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) on her mission to retrieve those Death Star plans, pairing her up with Capt. Cassian Andor (Diego Luna). For those curiously wondering if the same actress will be reprising the role of Mothma, the answer is no, but Rogue One‘s Genevieve O’Reilly looks strikingly similar to Caroline Blakiston, who played the Jedi version of the character.

Genevieve also played Mothma in a Revenge of the Sith scene, but it was cut from the 2005 film’s final cut, and can only be viewed in the DVD release’s extra features.

Gareth Edwards Promises A Darker Vision For Rogue One

This won’t be your father’s Star Wars. Those are the sentiments by everyone over at Lucasfilm and particularly of director Gareth Edwards. In fact, in some ways, Rogue One may be completely unrecognizable as a Star Wars film. The story won’t follow the Skywalker clan, focusing on a younger and more street smart rebel hero, and, as of this point, there’s been no mention of the force or of Jedi Knights at all, other than the reveal that Darth Vader would be in the film. Another deviation comes with something that many fans may have taken for granted, but may not actually make it into Rogue One: the Star Wars opening script crawl.

“The crawl and some of those elements live so specifically within the ‘saga’ films that we are having a lot of discussion about what will define the [stand-alone] Star Wars Stories separate and apart from the saga films,” said Ms. Kennedy. “So we’re right in the middle of talking about that.”

Also bringing change to the Star Wars universe is Edwards particular style of directing, combined with cinematographer Greig Fraser’s distinctive style in filmmaking. Together, the pair use a lot of handheld, intimate, close-up shots to create their vision for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The trademark Star Wars humor will also be out, says Gareth.

“I’d definitely describe it as: It’s got dark tone,” said Rogue One director Gareth Edwards. “The studio has been very supportive of that.”

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is scheduled for a December 16 theatrical premiere.

[Image by Lucasfilm/Walt Disney Studios]