What We Learned About Rogue One From Catalyst By James Luceno
By Elaine Tveit
We learned a lot of interesting tidbits about Rogue One: A Star Wars Story from its prequel novel, Catalyst by James Luceno.
As a prequel book to Rogue One, Catalyst by James Luceno revealed some informative details about the first Star Wars standalone movie. With Rogue One premiering in theaters in the U.S. tonight and tomorrow, it’s time to bring those details to light.
Image Credit: Amazon.com
Catalyst begins all the way back during the Clone Wars before Jyn Erso was even born. Read the book’s full synopsis below (via Amazon).
War is tearing the galaxy apart. For years the Republic and the Separatists have battled across the stars, each building more and more deadly technology in an attempt to win the war. As a member of Chancellor Palpatine’s top secret Death Star project, Orson Krennic is determined to develop a superweapon before their enemies can. And an old friend of Krennic’s, the brilliant scientist Galen Erso, could be the key.
Galen’s energy-focused research has captured the attention of both Krennic and his foes, making the scientist a crucial pawn in the galactic conflict. But after Krennic rescues Galen, his wife, Lyra, and their young daughter, Jyn, from Separatist kidnappers, the Erso family is deeply in Krennic’s debt. Krennic then offers Galen an extraordinary opportunity: to continue his scientific studies with every resource put utterly at his disposal. While Galen and Lyra believe that his energy research will be used purely in altruistic ways, Krennic has other plans that will finally make the Death Star a reality. Trapped in their benefactor’s tightening grasp, the Ersos must untangle Krennic’s web of deception to save themselves and the galaxy itself.
In case you haven’t read Catalyst yet, I won’t get into the details of the entire plot here. But I will list the information revealed in Catalyst which pertains to Rogue One. If you want to remain spoiler-free for the movie, think twice before scrolling any further.
Here are five things we learned about Rogue One from Catalyst:
1. Galen Erso was tricked into planning the Death Star’s superlaser. He thought the Empire would use the results of his research for delivering energy to planets ravaged by the war.
2. Orson Krennic hates Lyra Erso. This is because Lyra figures out that the Empire’s intentions for Galen’s research are not altruistic. Krennic’s enmity may cause Lyra’s demise in Rogue One.
3. Krennic’s zeal for his job, which is to direct the Death Star’s construction, motivates him to drastic and occasionally volatile actions. This tendency may be his undoing in Rogue One.
Image Credit: David Harris
4. The name of the planet the Ersos go into exile on is Lah’mu. Presumably, this planet is where the Ersos are when Director Orson Krennic and his deathtroopers confront Galen in the trailers.
Image Credit: David Harris
5. Jyn Erso and her parents meet Saw Gerrera in Catalyst. In fact, Gerrera finds Lah’mu for them. When Jyn and Gerrera interact in Rogue One, it will not be their first meeting.
Is there anything else important to the plot of Rogue One we missed in Catalyst? If you know of them, list them in the comments below.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story premieres in theaters in the U.S. tonight and tomorrow, December 16th.