This Thursday, August 11, during NBC’s coverage of the 2016 Olympics in Rio, an all new theatrical trailer for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story will air. Before we get there, it’s time have a refresher course on the characters that have been introduced, thus far…
During the 2016 Star Wars Celebration, a special Rogue One teaser was shown, only to those in attendance, and in that teaser, Darth Vader himself made an appearance…of sorts. The Sith Lord’s cameo in the trailer is described as thus:
"All of the sudden, the familiar breathing sound of Darth Vader can be heard. Vader is shown standing over a display unit. Vader’s reflection can be seen on the control panel, more than likely on the Death Star, as his breathing continues to echo."
However, what we are starting to put together, from the excitement surrounding Entertainment Weekly‘s run-up to the trailer’s release on Thursday, is that this trailer will be much longer in length, probably 2 to 3 minutes, making it the second official theatrical trailer for Rogue One.
In that vein, we here at Dork Side of the Force, think it’s time for a refresher course on the characters that have been introduced, so far.
We might as well start this little show with the Dark Lord himself, Darth Vader:
Here’s what we know, from Entertainment Weekly’s interview with Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, regarding Darth Vader in Rogue One:
James Earl Jones (85) will reprise his role as Vader’s menacing and fear-inspiring voice, while several large-framed performers will embody the character behind the mask. Sadly, David Prowse, who is now 80, and who was the man behind the mask and suit, will not return to the role, for obvious reasons.
According to Kennedy, Darth Vader isn’t really well known in the Galaxy, as of yet. It’s only been 19 years since the events of Revenge of the Sith, and Order 66 — which saw the extermination of most of the Jedi.
The Rebels don’t really know him, and. even within the Empire, he is more of a legend. Director Gareth Edwards had this to say about Vader:
"“Within the Rebellion, it’s not commonly spoken about. Within the Empire, there is the culture of knowing of the existence of Darth Vader. There’s definitely an underlying feeling that there is a power – a dark power – available to the Empire and that if you overstep your mark, you will suffer the consequences.”"
Yep, that sounds like my kind of Darth Vader.
Next: Ben Mendelsohn as Director Orson Krennic
Director Krennic is the Imperial Military Director of Security for the Death Star, as well as, Advanced Weapons Research for the Imperial Military…so you can see, he is quite the important person. Maybe that’s why he wears the swanky cape, and dresses in all white.
Krennic is obsessed with the completion of the long-delayed Death Star project, and he will not allow anyone or anything, to get in his way.
According to Entertainment Weekly, Krennic is an overly ambitious Imperial apparatchik who intends to use his squad of Deathtroopers: These guys
To decimate the Rebel uprising and find his way into the Emperor Palpatine’s good graces. He hopes to do all this, while avoiding the wrath of whom he considers his chief rival for the Emperor’s good graces, Darth Vader.
"“The bad guy is a lot more terrifying when he’s really smart, and really effective. There is a lot of palace intrigue going on in the Empire, with people conspiring to move up the ranks and sabotaging each other. There’s not a lot of loyalty there.”"
Something tells me, this isn’t a battle Director Orson Krennic can win. I feel like Krennic is going to rue the day he ever decided to start a rivalry with Darth Vader.
Next: Jyn Erso, played by Felicity Jones
In Rogue One, Jyn will be leaving her checkered past behind, and joining the fledgling Rebel Alliance. She is described as impetuous, defiant, and eager to bring the battle to the Empire…all good things one would want in a rebel.
However, Jyn is used to operating alone, so she will have to overcome that need, and find the higher purpose given to her by the leaders of the Rebellion, by taking on a desperate mission to steal the plans for the Empire’s super-weapon, the Death Star.
Jyn is not the only Erso in Rogue One, however…
Next: Mads Mikkelsen as Galen Erso, Jyn’s father
Jyn’s estranged father, Galen, is the galactic version of a nuclear pioneer. He’s a scientist, and he is the scientist who supposedly helped to create the original Death Star from the plans the Geonosians gave Darth Sidious/Emperor Palpatine.
According to his own personal entry in Wookieepedia: His knowledge of the universe led both the Empire and the Alliance to Restore the Republic to seek him out. His estranged daughter, Jyn Erso, later became part of the Rebel mission to steal the plans to the Imperial super-weapon, the Death Star.
The real question remains: Does Galen help his daughter steal the plans? Or, is he an Imperial sympathizer, and does he try to turn her over to the Empire? I guess we wait until December to find out.
Next: Diego Luna as Captain Cassian Andor
Photo Credit: Entertainment Weekly
Captain Cassian Andor is an accomplished Rebel Alliance Intelligence Officer. He has years of experience in field combat, and rightfully so, commands respect from his Rebel troops. Captain Andor’s ability to keep a cool head under fire and complete his missions with minimal resources, makes him a high-value member of the fledgling Rebel Alliance.
He is described as committed, steady and a practical by-the-book intelligence officer. He is often known to be rather quiet and reserved, which is a trait he was said to have acquired, due to his experience in war.
Andor’s main focus is to keep a watchful eye on Jyn Erso , as she is known to be volatile and reckless, at times.
Next: Riz Ahmed as Bodhi Rook
by Jonathan Olley, via Entertainment Weekly
Bohdi Rook is a former Imperial pilot, that has shown incredibly strong piloting and technical skills that he uses as the pilot of the Rebel squad, in Rogue One. Described as practical, yet highly anxious, and hot-headed, Bodhi has to constantly gather his own courage and calm himself, to bring the battle to the Empire.
In a recent interview with EW, Riz Ahmed said this about his character, Rook:
"“A character like Bodhi is not born into the life of a soldier. He’s a pilot working for the Empire, doing his job, getting on with it. But when you put ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, it can freak them out. It can inspire deep passions.”"
Lucasfilm president, Kathleen Kennedy said this about Riz Ahmed’s Bohdi Rook, in Rogue One:
"“He flies a lot of cargo, one of his key jobs. And he tends to be a little tense, a little volatile, but everybody in the group really relies on his technical skills.”"
Sounds like our merry group of Rebels will rely quite heavily on Bodhi Rook, let’s just hope he doesn’t have a meltdown, when he comes face-to-face with the Empire’s TIE-Fighters, and Star Destroyers.
Next: Donnie Yen as Chirrut Imwe
Although not technically a Jedi (I say technically because there’s a secret part in me that hopes he can can use the Force), Chirrut Imwe is a deeply spiritual, blind warrior-monk from the planet Jedha.
Following the teachings of the Jedi, Chirrut believes all living things are connected through the Force. His blindness does not prevent him from being a highly skilled fighter. Supposedly lacking Force abilities, Imwe has tiressly worked to hone his body, through intense physical and mental discipline, to become the perfect weapon against the Empire.
Imwe’s companion, Baze Malbus stands in stark contrast to his beliefs, and yet they are the best of friends.
Next: Jiang Wen as Baze Malbus
Photo Credit: Entertainment Weekly
Baze Malbus is known in Rogue One, as a freelance assassin…in other words, a bounty hunter. When the Empire occupied his home-world of Jedha, he realized that a new reality was born, and he needed to side with the ones who would expel Jedha’s occupiers.
Unlike his pal, Imwe, Malbus doesn’t believe in the Force…no, he believes in more pragmatic things, like his canon.
Now, as a hardened soldier, and an expert marksmen with his heavy repeater cannon. Baze Malbus has a bravado that stands in stark contrast to the spiritual center of his best friend and moral compass, the blind warrior-monk, Chirru Imwe.
Next: Forest Whitaker as Saw Gerrera, a veteran of the Clone Wars
As a veteran of The Clone Wars, Saw Gerrera has been fighting against oppression in many different forms, for many, many years. As Star Wars fans we first were introduced to a much younger version of Saw, in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, as was a resistance fighter who, as a leading member of the Onderon rebels, fought against the Confederacy of Independent Systems on Onderon.
Now, much older, and wiser, and with much more experience, Saw is back, and helping to lead this group of rebels to steal the plans to the Empire’s super-weapon, the Death Star.
According to Saw’s Wookieepedia entry: Gerrera’s resistance cell, the group of fighters from The Clone Wars, was one of the first in the group of cells that formed the new Rebel Alliance. He then helped coordinate the mission to steal the plans to the Death Star.
However, Gerrera’s extreme tactics had become a problem with the Rebel Alliance leaders, such as Bail Organa and Mon Mothma. And it sounds like he might be labeled a terrorist…I guess we wait and see, in December.
Next: Alan Tudyk as K-2SO
Photo Credit: Entertainment Weekly
Kaytoo (K-2SO), was originally created as an Imperial Droid. At some point, he falls into the hands of the Rebel Alliance, and is reprogrammed by Captain Cassian Andor…although not all the wires got connected correctly. According to Rogue One director Gareth Edwards, Kaytoo just does not give a f**k.
Firefly actor Alan Tudyk is portraying Kaytoo in a motion capture role.
Now, however, K-2SO has joined the Rebel Alliance, and along with a band of rag-tag rebels, and Alliance operatives, will go on a daring mission to steal the plans for the the Death Star. Let’s just hope his wiring doesn’t reset to “Imperial Default.”
Next: Genevieve O’Reilly, reprising her role as Mon Mothma
If you think Genevieve O’Reilly’s face as Mon Mothma is familiar, then you’re on to something. O’Reilly portrayed Senator Mon Mothma in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.
Although Genevieve O’Reilly is not the same Mon Mothma who delivered that now famous line: “Many Bothans died to bring us this information,” that helped destroy the second Death Star in Return of the Jedi (Caroline Blakiston will forever hold that honored distinction), she does have the mantle of now being the Mon Mothma who is considered to be, the “Mother of the Rebellion.”
In Rogue One, O’Reilly as role Mon Mothma is much larger than that of Revenge of the Sith, as she plays a key role in bringing about the destruction of the first Death Star.
She also recruits a young trouble-maker named, Jyn Erso, and pairs her with Captain Cassian Andor for that all important mission to retrieve to plans to the Imperial superweapon, the Death Star. I think it’s fair to say, we’ll be seeing much more of Genevieve O’Reilly, as Mon Mothma, in Rogue One.
Next: Jimmy Smits as Senator Bail Organa
We weren’t 100% sure Jimmy Smits would be reprising his role from the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy, as Senator Bail Organa, until he finally came clean on The Talk, on CBS.
What we do know about Senator Bail Organa is this: He took a female infant from its dying mother, and fled to his home-world of Alderaan, where he and his wife could raise that girl, as their own.
Of course, every Star Wars fan knows this story by heart: That infant was the twin to Luke Skywalker. They were the children of Padme Amidala and Anakin Skywalker. When Anakin was turned to the Dark Side of the Force, Padme died of a broken heart, after childbirth, and the children were separated, for their safety. Darth Vader-nee Anakin, could never know of their existence.
In Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Leia Organa (Skywalker) is forced to watch as her home-world of Alderaan is blown to bits by the Empire’s super-weapon, the Death Star. We’ve all assumed that Senator Organa and the rest of his family was on the planet when this happened, and at this point, there is no reason to believe otherwise.
However, for the nonce, Jimmy Smits will be helping coordinate attacks against the Empire, as a leader in the fledgling Rebel Alliance…at least for a time. When asked about his role in Rogue One, his answer was thus:
Can you say the word “Cameo,” can you say the words “Small Parts.”
Hopefully, Bail got his family off-world before Tarkin aimed the Death Star at his planet…but something tells me otherwise.
Next: Space Monkey and Bigmouth
Photo Credit: Entertainment Weekly
Meet Bigmouth and Space Monkey, two aliens who made their triumphant debut, at Star Wars Celebration Europe, during the Rogue One Sizzle Reel.
Bigmouth’s real name is: Pao
Here’s Rogue One director Gareth Edwards on this guy:
"“There was this great design of this creature that’s mouth would open really wide, and he looked like he was really good at giving orders and shouting at people during a battle. I was like, ‘We’ve got to give him that moment in the film,’ and so [Pao] was born out of that.”"
Space Monkey’s real name is: Bistan.
Here’s what Edwards had to say about him:
"“It’s not necessarily a character that we get to know, but I think he has a very memorable, iconic look. [He’s] one of my favorites. I can’t give away what happens to him.”"
Bistan has been an instant internet sensation, due to his Sizzle Reel shot (seen above, manning the gun of a U-Wing). Bistan is a new alien species to the Star Wars cinematic universe: The Lakaru species.
Next: Introducing Edrio Two Tubes
For the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con, we were introduced to an all new alien that will make his debut in Rogue One: Edrio Two Tubes.
From the official Star Wars Facebook page description of Edrio, he’s one bad dude:
"Edrio Two Tubes is a mercenary pilot who flies alongside his eggmate, Benthic. The two share the nickname derived from the breathing apparatus that allows their Tognath physiology to process oxygen atmospheres. Edrio’s home world Yar Togna was conquered and occupied by the Empire, forcing him to flee as a refugee. Desiring to strike back at the Empire, Edrio and Benthic have allied with Saw Gerrera."
Ah, so we have members of Saw’s group showing up and joining our rebels, as they attempt to steal the plans to the original Death Star. Just have a full-length look at Edrio, as well as his weapon of choice. I have a feeling we are going to be seeing him putting that rifle of his into action, in Rogue One.
I wonder if we’ll get more members of Saw Gerrera’s group showing up in the second trailer for Rogue One on Thursday night. If so, I hope they are as diverse as these aliens that director Gareth Edwards has unveiled, so far.
Next: New Rogue One Trailer Premiering Thursday August 11th On NBC
We want to know what you think: Are these characters and their descriptions for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story getting you super-excited for this Thursday night’s second theatrical Rogue One trailer? Let us know in the comments below, and on social media.