Everything You Need to Know About Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Image Credit: Lucasfilm

Galen Erso is played by Hannibal actor Mads Mikkelsen. He is the father to Jyn Erso, the heroine of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, as well as husband Lyra Erso. During The Clone Wars, Galen Erso learned to manipulate kyber crystals, the Force-attuned crystals that were used by every Jedi to complete their lightsaber. Erso was encouraged to continue his work on Kyber Crystals, by his then close friend, Orson Krennic.

In the events of Rogue One, Jyn Erso is recruited by the Rebellion because of an Imperial transmission that they intercepted:

Mon Mothma to Jyn Erso:

"“We have intercepted a coded Imperial transmission. It indicates that a major weapons test is imminent. The message was sent by your father.”"

It is highly likely that the “friendship” between Krennic and Galen Erso has eroded by the time we get to Rogue One and he is looking to defect from the Empire by sending that transmission.