‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ Won’t Get A PG Rating, But Did Get Help From George Lucas

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is very near its world premiere date, so it’s time for the production team to put the finishing touches on the film, which also includes getting the MPAA to rate the film. Much like its cousin, Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, this film won’t be getting the PG rating of old days. Instead, the MPAA has stamped Rogue One with a slightly higher rating, suggesting that parts of the film may be unsuitable for young children.

Meanwhile, it’s been revealed that Star Wars creator George Lucas had his hand in the mix in the creation of Rogue One.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Gets Its Rating

Traditionally, Star Wars films have been rated PG, allowing for a wider array of moviegoers to experience Star Wars on the big screen, but, as Dork Side of the Force reports, that all changed with Revenge of the Sith in 2005. That film was the first to be rated PG-13, followed by The Force Awakens, so it should come as no surprise that Rogue One: A Star Wars Story will also be confined to the PG-13 rating.

Battle sequences very often earn the higher PG-13 rating these days, whether they involve historical war stories or science fiction, and Rogue One certainly qualifies as one such war film.

It is interesting, however, to pay attention to the wording used by the MPAA in establishing the rating for Rogue One, when compared to the phrasing used for The Force Awakens. For Rogue One, the PG-13 rating is established due to “extended sequences of sci-fi violence and action,” but, in the case of The Force Awakens, the PG-13 rating was granted only because the Star Wars sequel has “sci-fi action and violence.”

It has already been revealed that Rogue One would have its share of traditional Star Wars battle sequences, but the wording of this rating suggests the film may be even more violent than previous films. Certainly, it will have more battle-oriented action than The Force Awakens, and with Gareth Edwards (Godzilla) in the director’s chair, Star Wars fans can expect some truly epic scenes.

George Lucas Gives His Two Cents

According to Movie Web, Gareth Edwards revealed that fans will have George Lucas to thank for delivering a better story in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The film’s director revealed that Lucas paid a visit to the set and his comments about what he saw helped to mold Edwards’ plans for the film. Specifically, George commented on a few things he really liked and, until that moment, those items weren’t actually going to make it into the film.

“Whatever [Lucas] liked was pretty much guaranteed to be in the film,” said the Rogue One director.

Gareth names a helmet as one example. He says that they had designed a helmet that everyone thought had a great look, but, logistically, there didn’t seem to be any place to fit it into the film. Upon Lucas’ tour of the Rogue One set, he came across the helmet and merely commented, “That’s cool, I like that,” and that made up Gareth’s mind to find a place in the film for the helmet.

Mr. Edwards says many of the Star Wars creator’s comments were taken to heart in a similar fashion.

It has been hinted that the aforementioned helmet will be an Easter egg in the film, which is why Gareth hasn’t described the helmet. It will be up to Star Wars fans to find it in the film. Fans can expect to see several such Easter eggs in Rogue One, as it takes place in close relation to the events of Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story opens in theaters on December 16.

[Featured Image by Disney]