It’s a good time for movie fans, dear readers. Jon Favreau’s new version of The Jungle Book is now out, and the summer movie season is only two weeks away. And in the spirit of blockbusters, this week’s installment of Trailer Trashin’ examines the new teaser for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, coming to theaters this Christmas.
My take: Without doubt, the biggest movie of last year was Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens. I loved the movie, and I know I’m not alone. It was praised by many critics and earned over $2 billion worldwide. But the folks at Lucasfilm and Disney aren’t resting on their laurels. Not only is Episode VIII currently in production and due for release in late 2017, but the first of Disney’s planned spin-off films is coming our way later this year as well. This film is Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, a stand-alone film telling the story of the Rebel spies who steal the plans for the Death Star – an event alluded to in the opening crawl of the original Star Wars movie. The first teaser for Rogue One has arrived, and I love it.
Our lead character this time is Jyn Erso, played by Felicity Jones. I’m digging her so far, and she kind of reminds me of Snake Plissken, the main character of Escape from New York (1981), being a criminal who is forcibly recruited to carry out a probably suicidal mission, albeit as part of a team in this case. Diego Luna, the dark-haired guy with the sweet mustache, plays a Rebel soldier who is also part of the team. Ben Mendelsohn plays an Imperial admiral, the guy seen in this teaser wearing the white uniform with matching cape, and who will presumably be the main villain. Donnie Yen plays the guy who we see taking down a group of Stormtroopers with only a staff; very cool. Forest Whitaker’s character seems like a mentor of sorts, perhaps a veteran of the Clone Wars or other earlier conflicts, with scars on his face and wearing beat-up old armor. The only established character known to be returning is Mon Mothma, the primary political leader of the Rebel Alliance during the Galactic Civil War, who first appeared in Return of the Jedi (1983), she is played here by Genevieve O’Reilly, who previously played the character in Revenge of the Sith (2005) – although most of her scenes in that film ended up being cut. Also in the cast are Riz Ahmed, Jiang Wen, Mads Mikkelsen, and Alan Tudyk.
The inherently exciting thing about this particular story is that we both do and don’t know how it ends. We do know that the Death Star plans will ultimately get to the Rebel Alliance, but we don’t know if any members of the team will survive their mission. Any of them could be killed in battle or captured by the Empire. And the final shot of the teaser is quite intriguing, because it shows Jyn wearing what looks like an Imperial gunner’s uniform. Is she undercover, or does she switch sides, either willingly or unwillingly?
Finally, the visuals and action look really great. I love the original Star Wars trilogy, so it’s a treat to see the classic Stormtroopers and Rebel soldiers in play again. But there are also new things, like those Stormtroopers with the awesome black armor. And how awesome is that final action shot, with the guys making the suicidal charge toward the advancing AT-AT walkers?
All in all, this is a great first look. We’ve got a good cast, a cool setup, and a tone and feel that sets it apart from what we’ve seen before in Star Wars movies. I’m definitely going to be seeing Rogue One: A Star Wars Story when it opens in theaters this December.
ANTICIPATION: The Force will be with us, always.
Starring: Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Riz Ahmed, Ben Mendelsohn, Donnie Yen, Jiang Wen, Forest Whitaker, Mads Mikkelsen, Alan Tudyk, Jonathan Aris, and Genevieve O’Reilly
Director: Gareth Edwards
Writers: Chris Weitz, Gary Whitta, and John Knoll, based on characters by George Lucas
Timothy Monforton