Lucasfilm has never tried to plant the spirit of Star Wars in something fresh and more focused, without the word “episode” in the title. Unlike the deep well of Marvel superhero lore, which seemingly extends infinitely, Star Wars is a more delicate brand with an uncertain track record. It invested in Star Wars as a universe, much as it did with Marvel in 2009. Disney didn’t buy Lucasfilm for $4 billion so it could make a new trilogy of movies and call it quits. In the grander scheme of Star Wars as a business, Rogue One represents Disney’s risky gamble that it can transform one of the most celebrated film franchises in history into a never-ending content machine, capable of churning out stories for… well, forever. It’s focused on the team of rebels who steal the Death Star plans that serve as the Macguffin for that film.Įdwards showed the film to Lucas himself, and got his approval Instead, it’s a spinoff billed simply as “A Star Wars Story.” It’s technically a prequel, set before the original 1977 Star Wars: A New Hope. Rogue One, due out on December 16th, is not a proper Star Wars movie, like last year’s The Force Awakens. Underneath the giddy excitement of watching not-yet-public footage, the screening highlighted the inherent contradiction hanging over the film. “I can honestly say I can die happy now,” Edwards said. Just a few days ago, Edwards revealed, he showed the film to Lucas himself, and got his approval. It’s a mixed crowd, with some serious critics, yet a healthy amount of Star Wars diehards lucky enough to work for a film or comic book blog influential enough to attract Lucasfilm’s eye. The symbolism isn’t lost on the audience, which is about to witness the first 28 minutes of Rogue One, ahead of its official premiere. It’s where Lucas used to sit when reviewing sound for the Star Wars prequel trilogy, after Lucasfilm’s sound effects and mixing division was moved to Skywalker Ranch in 1987. Abrams, to helm a Star Wars movie since creator George Lucas sold the franchise to Disney in 2012.Įdwards pointed to a spot in the theater, the center seat in a row halfway back. He’s only the second director, after J.J. Edwards, the director of the upcoming Star Wars standalone film Rogue One, knows the significance of his position. “I feel like I’m standing on sacred ground,” he told the audience. Standing before a crowd of journalists in a private movie theater at Skywalker Ranch this past weekend, Gareth Edwards made an appeal to the hardcore fans. This post contains minor plot spoilers for the beginning 30 minutes of Rogue One.

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