Rogue One

So what the hell is going on with Rogue One: A Star Wars Story? I mean, we just had a Star Wars movie that was so far in the future that it negated just about all of the books that were previously in the Star Wars Canon, so where is this one coming from?

Well according to Wookieepedia, it’s meant to be happening between Episodes 3 and 4. So, after Anakin becomes Darth Vader but before Luke joins the rebellion to become a fighter pilot. This movie seems to be about the plans for the Death Star and how the rebellion came to steal them in the first place. Since the opening scene of Episode 4 shows Princess Leia being kidnapped with the stolen plans, it’s like Prometheus, or the new Thing movie, ending just before the other one begins. Placement in the series aside, this means a lot of opportunities for us to find awesome new designs in the Star Wars store at DBH! Star Wars Rogue One shirts are coming soon, with all your favorite new characters, as well as a few of the old ones.

Mon Mothma is back, although there won’t be any Bothans in Rogue One. She isn’t actually featured in Episode 4, and was in fact speaking of the second Death Star when she said her famous line about “many Bothans dying.” I always wanted to see more about that, because in the Corran Horn books all the Bothans were jerks so it was always hard to imagine one sacrificing his or her life for the good of others. Perhaps in another film.

Speaking of Corran Horn, because the movie is called Rogue One I would have guessed it would involve Rogue Squadron in some way; but again, the Star Wars books have mostly been thrown out so that is unlikely. It doesn’t seem as if Jyn Erso is meant to be a pilot of any sort, though she certainly seems to be a fighter.

This will be the first Star Wars film to NOT feature Jedi prominently; it instead tells the tale of people who have zero ability in using the Force and must therefore use other means to survive. Although Erso does have a Han Solo-like flair to her attitude in the trailer (and seems to be dressed like him in one scene?), she is a different type of hero than ones we’ve seen from Star Wars in the past, and not only because she’s female. Generally speaking, all of the main characters in these tales have been Jedi, pilots, or both. (Call me crazy, but who’s actually a main character and doesn’t use the Force and/or fly their own ship and shoot stuff?)

Now watch, I’m going to be totally wrong and she’ll fly and fight just like everyone else. Either way, new characters mean Star Wars Rogue One shirts featuring the new characters!

This story seems grittier than your average Star Wars tale overall. Since there’s a bit less magic and a bit less emphasis on the stark contrast between good and evil, it seems that this film is going for the average person’s experience in the galaxy during the Rebellion. What is the plight of a normal citizen trying to live their life under the constant war between the Empire and the Rebellion? Conflict usually means civilian casualties, and those without special abilities to shield themselves and their loved ones from harm might suffer a lot more than the people your traditional Star Wars movie has focused on. Simply because the war is fought in pursuit of the elusive “greater good” does not mean that it doesn’t cause massive damage to many planets full of innocent people along the way.

So: a Star Wars film with no focus on Jedi or on fighter pilots. Who coulda seen that one coming?! I for one am very excited that Alan Tudyk will make an appearance, although I admit I will be disappointed if he’s not flying anything. Forest Whitaker’s character also looks intriguing; apparently he is a feature in The Clone Wars, and is somewhat of an antihero. He fought alongside Anakin Skywalker before he was Darth Vader; he’s referenced as “the good guy who’s so extreme that the other good guys aren’t really sure he is one” in one article. Maybe he’s the Star Wars equivalent of Barty Crouch.

All in all, female heroes seem to be the general direction of the new Star Wars franchise, a move that I like. Although I’ll always miss Mara Jade as we’ve basically skipped over her storyline completely, I’m still excited to see females strongly featured in the Rebellion! And, this also means we can get some more super awesome Star Wars Rogue One shirt designs from DBH that feature badass amazing women!

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