In roughly a month and a half, the firstStar Wars spin-off,Rogue One, will hit theaters, and it’s already expected to be much different than any otherStar Warsmovie we’ve seen before. For example, LucasFilm presidentKathleen Kennedyhas already confirmed that there will not be an opening crawl before the film, like all of the otherStar Warsmovies, and it seems it could also be much different from a tonal perspective. DirectorGareth Edwardsrecently offered some new comments on Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones), while teasing the movie will be a lot darker.
USA Todayspoke withGareth Edwards, who reveals thatJyn Erso, who leads a group of Rebels on a mission to find plans for the original Death Star, is most certainly a “reluctant hero.” He also teases that this story may not be what we think. Here’s what he had to say about the experience of watching it unfold.
“Events take place that just shatter her life and send her off to basically be raised as a soldier in the midst of a war. She ends up not the person she was supposed to be. Even though we’re not telling the story of Luke Skywalker, it was important to me that we capture the same themes and emotion. But the film doesn’t unfold how you think. It’s not the same path asStar Wars.”
The Hollywood Reporter speculates that the director’s comment about howRogue Onedoesn’t take “the same path” could be construed as a hint about how darkRogue Oneis. Since the flagshipStar Warsmovies revolve around redemption, the director’s comments hint that there are some unexpected twists and turns ahead for this stand alone movie. There are already theories that Jyn Erso could join her father Galen (Mads Mikkelsen) on the Dark Side, or that Galen will even kill his own daughter, but none of these details have been confirmed.
In related news,Felicity Jonesrecently spoke with Vanity Fair, who revealed that she thinks Jyn Erso is a positive female role model for young girls everywhere. She also spoke about how she enjoyed doing more physical work inRogue Oneand her new filmInferno, which opened last weekend. Here’s what she had to say.
“I just hope that girls like the movie and can invest in Jyn’s story and care about her. It is quite nice now that instead of a fish’s tail, girls can see a cool female character who’s got a blaster and can run really fast. I loved it because I got to kick some ass. I loved the physical side of making these larger films. I worked closely with the stunt teams and got to learn a new skill. I mean, you do go home covered in bruises, but it’s worth it.”
Rogue One: A Star Wars Storyis directed by Gareth Edwards and starsFelicity Jones,Diego Luna,Ben Mendelsohn,Donnie Yen,Mads Mikkelsen,Alan Tudyk,Riz Ahmed,Jiang WenandForest Whitaker.Kathleen Kennedy,Allison ShearmurandSimon Emanuelare producing, withJohn KnollandJason McGatlinserving as executive producers.Rogue One: A Star Wars Storyopens in U.S. theaters on June 29, 2025, going up against Warner Bros.‘Collateral Beauty.
