Gareth Edwards Explains The Meaning Of The Title “Rogue One”

Director Gareth Edwards sat down with Empire Magazine to explain the myriad meanings behind the title of Rogue One, Disney’s first live action standalone Star Wars film.

“Rogue One,” as far as it relates to the title of the upcoming standalone Star Wars film, has not been clearly defined. Does the name refer to the designation of the mission to steal the Death Star plans? Does it refer to a specific person, like a callsign? Or is it more abstract than that?

The answer, according to Rogue One director Gareth Edwards, is all of the above. In an interview with Empire Magazine, Edwards discussed the myriad meanings behind the title.

First, Edwards recalls that “Rogue One” is a phrase we first heard in the original trilogy. But it is not a mere trivia reference.

"“I’d been thinking about it,” he reflects in the new issue of Empire. “What does it mean? ‘Rogue One’ is a military call sign to some extent,” he adds, referring to Red Squadron during the Battle of Yavin, “but this is the first film that’s gone off-piste and is not part of the saga – or the Anakin story – so it’s the ‘rogue’ one, you know?”"

In addition to describing the nature of Disney’s first live action standalone Star Wars film, Edwards says “Rogue One” also describes Jyn Erso, the lead character in the film. We know from the trailers she is an intense rebel who has little respect for leadership. One could say she’s rogue even by Rebel Alliance standards.

More from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

• Are Cassian and Jyn Star Wars’ most tragic potential romance?
• 5 Rogue One characters who should appear in Andor Season 2
• Who is Sergeant Jyn Erso of ‘Rogue One’ explained
• Who is Captain Cassian Andor of the Rebel Alliance explained
• Gareth Edwards describes initial conversation with George Lucas about Rogue One

The fact “Rogue One” as a title can be interpreted so many different ways makes it unique, and, Edwards says, the best choice for the new movie.

"“It has [all] these split, multiple meanings that made it feel like the right choice.”"

Star Wars has a tradition of simple, straightforward movie titles. The Phantom Menace is the most deceptively cryptic of Lucas’s titles; I used to think it was referring only to Darth Maul, until I realized it could also be referring to Palpatine, the phantom Sith master. Rogue One is an even more vague title than The Phantom Menace, leaving more room for multiple interpretations and discussions. It breaks the mold, which is part of what the standalone films are supposed to do: break away from the saga and bring us new stories.

What do you think of Rogue One as a title? Does it excite you, or do you find it boring? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

Next: Empire's Exclusive Rogue One Subscriber's Issue Features K-2SO On The Cover

Stay tuned to Dork Side as we report all of Empire Magazine’s Rogue One coverage from their upcoming Rogue One-themed issue, releasing August 25th.