By Mack Doebler and Byrde Wells, Nighthawk News
A super weapon beyond anything the galaxy has ever seen, a dark lord of hatred, and a rebellion. It has only been a year since the theatrical release of “Star Wars Episode Seven: The Force Awakens,” but already Disney is giving us a taste of the beloved galactic film series with “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.”
The film surrounds the team of rebels that steals the plans to the Empire’s ultra-destructive weapon, the Death Star.
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sC9abcLLQpI[/embedyt]
These plans are then used on the assault in which Luke Skywalker destroys the aforementioned death machine in “A New Hope.” Needless to say, the events of this movie are a big deal.
Although there was an explanation for the acquisition of these plans in the Expanded Universe of Star Wars lore, this has since been reduced to non-canon material and was never widely known by most fans. Some fans, like local comic shop owner John Moore, have been waiting for a proper telling of this story for the majority of their lives.
“My first introduction to Star Wars was in 1983 when ‘Return of the Jedi’ made its first run in theaters. After seeing that and my dad turning me on to the fact that there is more, I always wondered what led up to the point of the rebels getting the plans to the Death Star,” Moore said. “I’ve been waiting for this story for the better part of 25 years.”
The lead of “Rogue One” is Jyn Erso, the daughter of an energy scientist who finds herself rescued by a rebel recruiting officer, Cassian Andor, from the clutches of the Empire. From here, her involvement becomes more intense as she begins to assist in stealing the Death Star plans. Erso, played by Felicity Jones, is the second leading female character in the Star Wars films, the other being Rey from last year’s “Force Awakens.”
“I really like the aspect that they’ve been doing with ‘Episode Seven’ and now with ‘Rogue One.’ We’ve been getting females in the main lead and that’s a great thing,” Moore said.
While continuing this new trend for Star Wars, “Rogue One” is also a big step in a new direction for the franchise.
All Star Wars films in the past have been focused on or closely related to the Skywalker family of characters. Fans enjoyed the exploits of Anakin Skywalker in the prequel trilogy, Luke Skywalker in the original trilogy and Rey (whose lineage is a topic of much debate) as she searched for none other than Luke Skywalker.
All Star Wars films in the past have been focused on or closely related to the Skywalker family of characters. Fans enjoyed the exploits of Anakin Skywalker in the prequel trilogy, Luke Skywalker in the original trilogy and Rey (whose lineage is a topic of much debate) as she searched for none other than Luke Skywalker.
The reason for this focus on the Skywalkers is simple: They are always at the heart of galactic conflict. The main story of Star Wars has always followed this family line, but the universe of Star Wars is incredibly deep and there are more stories than just those of the galaxy’s favorite force-sensitive family.
“Rogue One” is the first film that sets itself apart from the main line of movies. It defines itself as a “Star Wars Story,” existing somewhere outside of the main plot. Disney has already announced the next Star Wars Story as a Han Solo film, and even though “Rogue One” hasn’t even released yet, fans are already buzzing about it. Moore has been theorizing certain scenes he hopes to see on the big screen when it hits in 2018.
“It would be interesting if we see the poker match happen and Han goes off with the Falcon and Lando is all (ticked) off,” Moore said. “Then we see someone come out of the shadows and offer him Bespin and that’s where he gets stuck at. At that point, though, they’d have to age Lando pretty quickly, but maybe not. Maybe it will just fall right in.”
Beyond the Han Solo film, the lineup is purely speculative. Online forums buzz with chatter about a possible Boba Fett movie or even an Obi-Wan film with the hopes of a returning Ewan McGregor, who played the daring Obi-Wan “Ben” Kenobi for the prequel trilogy. As Moore sums up, “With everything that Disney has planned for Star Wars in the future, it is hard to not imagine the crazy limitless things that they can do.”
Speculation for films still two and four years away aside, “Rogue One” looks to be a delightful jump into what fans love from Star Wars – a great story to tell and a great cast to do it with. All seems well on this end of the Galaxy. May the force be with you, always.
The Rebel Scum: Bios
Jyn Erso
Jyn Erso was born to Galen and Lyra Erso at some point after the outbreak of the Clone Wars. After the age of 15, she split with her parents and began a life of ignoring the rules. She eventually comes into contact with the Rebel Alliance and plays a key role in the theft of the Death Star plans. Jyn has racked up a long list of offenses toward the Galactic Empire, which only heightens her reputation. Some fan theories have our new lead falling to the darkside.
Saw Gerrera
Saw Gerrera got his start rebelling at a young age during the Clone Wars, when he was a key player in the liberation of Onderon. He worked closely with Jedi Ahsoka Tano and, after the end of the Clone Wars, began a military insurrection against the Empire. His resistance cell was one of the first to help form the Rebel Alliance. Although some viewed his tactics as erring on the side of terrorism, he did play a vital role in the theft of the Death Star plans.
Cassian Andor
Cassian Andor is a high-ranking spy for the Rebel Alliance. He has many contacts throughout the galaxy and is well-trusted by rebel leader Mon Mothma. Throughout his exploits, he at some point came upon an Imperial security droid, which he programmed to work with him. He is assigned to watch over Jyn Erso on her assignments for the Rebel Alliance, as she is prone to risky behavior. Not much else is known about him. What is this spy hiding?
Orson Krennic
Orson Krennic was a member of the team building the Death Star under Chancellor Sheev Palpatine during the reign of the Galactic Republic. When the Clone Wars ended and the Republic transformed into the Empire, Krennic retained his position working on the Death Star. He was a close friend to Galen Erso and manipulated their friendship to exploit Erso’s work in energy for the Death Star. It seems like he answers to Vader himself, so no pressure.
Seniors Mack Doebler and Byrde Wells can be reached at doeblerma0930@daretolearn.org and wellsje1210@daretolearn.org.
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