Rogue One’s Jyn Erso: Who She Is And Why She Is Important

Before we see Rogue One: A Star Wars Story in theaters tonight, let’s refresh our memories about the main character of the movie, Jyn Erso.

"“This is a rebellion, isn’t it? I rebel.”"

Those were the first powerful words we heard Rogue One‘s main character, Jyn Erso speak. And she spoke many more powerful and memorable things after that. Through inspirational speeches and snarky jabs alike, Jyn’s strength and passion shine out. Her actions are just as strong and passionate. She is a rebel, through and through, which makes her the perfect leader for the Rogue One team.

Jyn was born to Galen and Lyra Erso, a scientist and a surveyor, respectively. When Jyn was still a small child, Director Orson Krennic tricked Galen into developing the Death Star’s planet-destroying superlaser. After they discovered Krennic’s deception, Galen, Lyra, and Jyn fled into hiding. The Empire soon caught up with the Ersos, however, and Krennic somehow convinced Galen to return to continue his energy research for the Death Star.

Image Credit: David Harris

We don’t know yet what happened to Lyra or Jyn. We only know that by age fifteen, Jyn was on her own and a lone renegade. It is possible the Empire kills Lyra in Rogue One‘s flashback to Jyn’s childhood. We also don’t know if Jyn had any contact with her father following his return to the Empire’s services.

Jyn’s relationship to Galen, however, makes her valuable to the Rebel Alliance. Many years after rejoining the Empire, Galen sends the Alliance a message telling them (we presume from the trailers) of a major Imperial weapons test. The rebels’ leader, Mon Mothma wants Jyn’s help in finding out what this new weapon is and how to destroy it. Jyn agrees to lead a recon team, which eventually morphs into the team that steals the Death Star plans.

That’s all we know of Jyn’s story so far. Based on the information above, Jyn is an amazing character. She is strong and active, but not sexualized like most action movie heroines, which makes her unique. Moreover, she is decisive and full of hope. The latter two qualities make her a great leader and an interesting main character.

Are you excited to see Jyn in Rogue One? Tell us your thoughts about her, before and after you see the movie. You can read about her parents and Krennic in Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story premieres in theaters across the U.S. tonight and tomorrow, December 16th.