Source: Star Wars | Posted By: Dan Geer
It seemed like this trailer would never arrive. Finally, after years of waiting, we receive the official teaser trailer for the first Star Wars stand-alone film, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, directed by Gareth Edwards (Godzilla). Set before the events of Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, the story shines on the rebel fighters who set out on a mission to steal the Death Star plans that make their way into the hands of Princess Leia in A New Hope. Hit the jump to watch!
While everyone has been obsessed wtih The Force Awakens in the last few months, Rogue One has sort of been flying under the radar. Really, it always has ever since it was announced that Disney was making stand-alone Star Wars stories. We knew it was coming, but all we ever got was a brief synopsis and a production photo – until today, that is. It almost seemed like Disney didn’t care about the film, given that we received a teaser for The Force Awakens over a year before the film was released.
However, after watching this trailer, that has all changed. It is completely clear that Disney cares a great deal about this film (although I still don’t understand why they waited so long to present a trailer). This trailer has everything. Rebel fighters, imperial walkers, Mon Mothma, a rebellious leading lady, Forest Whitaker, cool fight scenes, etc. So much of what we see in this trailer really brings us back to the look and feel of the original Star Wars. It simply looks riveting, and I am sure people will start paying attention and want to see it desperately this December.
It is fantastic that they cast Genevieve O’Reilly as Mon Mothma, as she originally played the character in a deleted scene from Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith in which we see the beginnings of the rebellion. It was a scene that should never have been cut from the film, and it is a joy to think this actress got the chance to play her once again and actually be in the film this time around. Brilliant.
I will say that the filming style doesn’t exactly feel like the Star Wars films we’ve come to know and love (at least from what we see here), but that was always expected. These stand-alone stories that Disney is producing should feel somewhat removed from the Star Wars “Saga Proper,” keeping a similar tone that still feels like Star Wars, but in a way that lets us know that we are watching something totally different that’s not an episode of the Saga. Many fans have been speculating whether or not the stand-alone stories will even have an opening crawl. It wouldn’t be surprising if they didn’t, perhaps even having opening credits instead to help separate the film. As long as it generally feels like a Star Wars movie, we should expect minor differences like this.
The trailer does lack explanation for the casual movie-goer as to what this movie actually is. Since it’s not a Saga episode, perhaps the trailer needed a voice-over or words on the screen that say something to the effect of, “Before the New Hope, a band of rebels united together for the ultimate heist – to steal the Death Star plans.” Doesn’t have to be exactly that (I’m sure someone more creative could come up with something better), but you get the idea. The casual fan might go into this thinking it is Episode VIII, which is simply not the case at all. Of course, if you’re reading this, you know better.
Anyhow, check out the amazing trailer a few more times today and be grateful for this day and age we live in, where we get a new Star Wars movie every year. Cannot wait for this, as well as the other stand-alones coming our way in the future (the young Han Solo movie arrives in 2018).
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, directed by Gareth Edwards, stars Felicity Jones, Forest Whitaker, Mads Mikkelsen, and Genevieve O’Reilly. The film hits theaters December 16th!
