In the original script for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Jyn Erso’s mother (Lyra Erso) was a Jedi Knight who died protecting her daughter and husband from Orson Krennic and his Death Troopers….
As Entertainment Weekly continues its week-long secrets of Rogue One reveal — before the film is released on Digital HD on March 24 and Blu-Ray/DVD on April 4 — we learn that Lyra Erso (Jyn Erso’s mother) was originally a Jedi Knight in hiding, who died defending her young daughter and scientist husband from Director Krennic and his forces.
In the original Rogue One prologue, the Empire was hunting and killing Jedi, but the film’s director (Gareth Edwards) didn’t want there to be an overwhelming Jedi element to it and feared the audience would mistakenly think that had Lyra Erso passed down her Force-wielding powers to her daughter — Jyn.
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Rogue One: A Star Wars Story screenwriter, Gary Whitta, explained that when Krennic and his Death Troopers arrive at the Erso homestead, Lyra Erso (Valene Kane) would be calmly waiting — as any Jedi would — and igniting her lightsaber to defend herself and her family from the Empire’s wrath.
"Her mother was a Jedi Knight who was hiding out. But her father was still the scientist. We just had to pick a lane. We ended up feeling like her father should be the reason this thing existed. The guilt for that felt like better motivation in stealing the Death Star plans."
Whitta goes on to say that when it came down to it, they didn’t actually need a Jedi, just someone who could “feel the Force,” and so, Chirrut Imwe (Donnie Yen) was born. As you may remember, Chirrut and his friend Baze were Guardians of the Whills, an ancient group dedicated to protecting Jedi artifacts and holy sites.
We want to hear from you: Would you have rathered Jyn’s mother be a Jedi in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story? Or, were you happy the “Jedi element” was largely left out of the film? Let’s discuss in the comments below.