Rogue One: A Star Wars Storyis largely considered one ofStar Wars’best movies, yet before its infamous and mysterious reshoots and edits, thisStar Warsmovie looked quite a bit different.Rogue Onewas released on December 16th, 2016, but in the eight years since, very little has been revealed about the movie’s evidently significant reshoots. What is known is that about five weeks of reshoots took place forRogue One, and that, during that time, the movie and even the story changed significantly.
Accounts vary as to whether this meant Director Gareth Edwards was sidelined when writer Tony Gilroy was brought on for the project and made some major changes. PerVariety, Edwards has stated that rumors about the situation are largely inaccurate, although according to Tony Gilroy’s brother, John Gilroy, theirRogue Onestory changeswere extensive. In any case, it’s clear thatthe choices made duringRogue One’scurious reshoots and edits fundamentally changed the plot of this popularStar Warsmovie.
One Of The Best Rogue One Scenes Almost Wasn’t In The Movie
One of the most shocking changes made toRogue Oneduring this period of reshoots wasthe addition of the now-iconic scene in which Darth Vader takes down a hallway of Rebel fighters. This scene is arguably the single most well-known and celebrated in the entire movie, and it’s difficult to imagine the movie without it. Evidently, though, it wasn’t until the final changes were made that this scene was shot. According toVariety, Gareth Edwards explained,“The very last thing that we filmed in the pickup shoot was the Darth Vader corridor scene."
Vader still would have played a role inRogue One, but he was initially intended to fight on the ground on Scarif. In that sense, Darth Vader would have carried out a massacre in the movie either way, yet there’s little doubt the alternate version would’ve paled in comparison to how brilliant the corridor scene ended up being. It’s also notable that Edwards indicated he played a key role in the development of the hallway scene, suggesting this wasn’t a reshoot done without or in place of his involvement.
K-2SO Was Originally The Only Major Death In Rogue One
In The Final Cut, Nearly Every Major Character Died
According toThe Direct, one of the most significant changes made toRogue Oneduring these cuts and edits involved the movie’s casualties. Initially,K-2SO was going to be the only major character deathamongRogue One’scast of characters. Obviously, this ended up changing considerably following the reshoots and edits, as nearly every major character inRogue Onedies by the conclusion of the movie.
This included Jyn Erso, Cassian Andor, Director Krennic, Galen Erso, K-2SO, and others. In truth, this original story plan would have madeRogue Onea completely different movie. Although the ending ofRogue Oneis unquestionably dark, it reveals a harsh but meaningful reality about rebellions and war. Whereas manyStar Warsheroes have won the day and lived to tell the tale,Rogue Oneproves that not every hero makes it out alive. In the end,Rogue Oneis really about great personal sacrifice and the darker, grittier side of war.
Rogue Oneproves that not every hero makes it out alive.
Had everyone but K-2SO made it out ofRogue Onealive, that message would have been considerably different. It also would have left the door open for the story to continue, which ultimately would only have done a disservice to the characters and to the movie. Yes,Rogue One’sending is absolutely devastating, but part of what gives the movie such an impact is knowing that these stories really have come to an end. Of course,Andorstill found a creative way to expand the story, but it is doing so by exploring the past, not the future.
Where Rogue One’s Other Major Characters Are During Andor Season 1
Despite the fact Andor follows one of the protagonists of Rogue One, many characters did not make an appearance as they were busy elsewhere.
The Undertones Were Still In Rogue One, But This Dynamic Would Have Changed Considerably
The Directalso reported thatoriginally,Rogue Onewould have given Jyn Erso and Cassian Andor a full-blown romantic arc. ThroughoutRogue One, particularly toward the end of the movie, there was a hint of this. By the end of the movie, though, the romantic tensions between the two hadn’t developed in any real way. Cassian and Jyn embraced as the explosion was coming to claim their lives, but it was unquestionably an embrace of friendship and camaraderie, nothing more.
Had Jyn and Cassian had a true romantic storyline, it would have changed the movie considerably, likely not for the better. Jyn and Cassian were both brilliant characters, butStar Warsdidn’t need another new couple. WhatRogue Onewas bringing to the table ended up being so much more innovative, and a focus on a budding romance would arguably have detracted from that.
Jyn and Cassian were both brilliant characters, butStar Warsdidn’t need another new couple.
Of course, it’s difficult to say with certainty that this storyline wouldn’t have worked, as it wasn’t ultimately brought to theStar Warsscreen. However, both Jyn and Cassian’s respective arcs were compelling enough without the addition of a romantic arc. Arguably, this cut helped both characters shine on their own and kept the story focused on the themes of redemption and self-sacrifice.
Missing Scenes From The Trailers Suggest Major Character Changes—Especially For Jyn Erso
Some Scenes From The Trailer Were Never Intended To Be In The Movie
Many have also noted that a number of clips included in trailers forRogue Onedidn’t ultimately make it into the final cut of the movie, suggesting major story changes. Interestingly,some clips from the trailers were never meant to be part ofRogue One. A key example was the image of Jyn Erso standing before a TIE fighter. Although this was an incredible shot in the trailers, it was never truly intended to be part of the movie (which left some viewers rather disappointed).
However, other aspects of theRogue Onetrailer do suggest that certain character changes were made later in the game, particularly in relation to Jyn.In the earliest trailers forRogue One, the Rebellion seemed to be actively recruiting Jyn, yet in the final cut, it was Jyn who was pleading with the Rebels to join her. Moreover, Jyn seemed much more enthusiastic about her anti-Imperial sentiments in the early trailers, whereas, in the final cut ofRogue One, Jyn was more of a begrudging hero.
Ultimately,Rogue Oneis considered one ofStar Wars’best movies for a reason. The innovative storyline, compelling characters, and focus on the brutalities of and losses in war all make it a stand-out amongStar Wars’other movies. It’s nevertheless fascinating to explore what might have been inRogue One: A Star Wars Storyhad these later edits and reshoots not happened.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Cast
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is a standalone film set in the Star Wars universe, where a group of resistance fighters, led by Jyn Erso, embarks on a mission to steal the Death Star plans. This pivotal event sets the stage for the iconic saga to follow.
