Rogue One

Rogue One Information

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, or simply Rogue One, is an upcoming American epic space opera film directed by Gareth Edwards and written by Gary Whitta and Chris Weitz, from an idea by visual effects supervisor John Knoll. It will be the first film in the Star Wars Anthology series, a collection of stand-alone stories set in the Star Wars universe, and will star Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Riz Ahmed, Ben Mendelsohn, Donnie Yen, Jiang Wen, Forest Whitaker, Mads Mikkelsen, and Alan Tudyk. Set shortly before the events of Star Wars (1977), the story will center on a group of Rebel spies on a mission to steal the plans for the Empire's new weapon, the Death Star.

The film is produced by Lucasfilm and will be distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. Principal photography began at Elstree Studios, near London during early August 2015. Rogue One will be released on December 16, 2016, one year after the franchise's latest film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015).

Premise

Following the foundation of the Galactic Empire, a wayward band of Rebel fighters comes together to carry out a desperate mission: to steal the plans for the Death Star before it can be used to enforce the Emperor's rule.

Cast

Felicity Jones as Jyn
Diego Luna
Riz Ahmed as Bodhi Rook
Ben Mendelsohn
Donnie Yen
Jiang Wen
Forest Whitaker
Mads Mikkelsen
Alan Tudyk
Jonathan Aris as Senator Jebel

Eunice Olumide appears in the film.

Production

In February 2013, Disney CEO Bob Iger confirmed the development of two stand-alone films, each individually written by Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg. On February 6, Entertainment Weekly reported that Lucasfilm is working on two films featuring Han Solo and Boba Fett. Disney CFO Jay Rasulo has described the stand-alone films as origin stories. Kathleen Kennedy explained that the stand-alone films will not crossover with the films of the sequel trilogy, stating, "George [Lucas] was so clear as to how that works. The canon that he created was the Star Wars saga. Right now, Episode VII falls within that canon. The spin-off movies, or we may come up with some other way to call those films, they exist within that vast universe that he created. There is no attempt being made to carry characters (from the stand-alone films) in and out of the saga episodes. Consequently, from the creative standpoint, it's a roadmap that George made pretty clear."

In May 2014, it was announced that Gareth Edwards would direct the first stand-alone feature, to be released on December 16, 2016, with Gary Whitta writing the film. In October 2014, cinematographer Greig Fraser revealed that he would be working on the film and the film had a working title. In January 2015, it was revealed that Whitta had completed the work on the film and would no longer be with the project. Simon Kinberg was considered as a replacement. Later in the month, it was announced that Chris Weitz had signed to write the script for the film. In March 2015, the title of the film was revealed to be Rogue One. Also in the month, Alexandre Desplat revealed he would compose the music for the film.

In April 2015, at Star Wars Celebration, it was revealed that the stand-alone films would be released under the umbrella of Star Wars Anthology. As well, it was revealed Rogue One takes place between Episodes III and IV, being closer to IV in the timeline. At Disney's biannual D23 Expo in August 2015, it was announced that the film's title was amended to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

Casting

In January 2015, The Hollywood Reporter stated that numerous actresses, including Tatiana Maslany, Rooney Mara and Felicity Jones, were being tested for the film's lead. Mara's sister Kate also screentested for the role. In February 2015, it was announced that Jones was in final talks to star in the film, while Aaron Paul and dgar Ramrez were also being eyed for the male lead role. In March 2015, Jones was announced as a part of the cast. In March 2015, Deadline.com reported a rumor that Ben Mendelsohn was being considered for the lead role. The next month, TheWrap reported that Sam Claflin was being eyed for a role, while Riz Ahmed was in negotiations to join the film. In May, Mendelsohn, Ahmed, and Diego Luna were added to the cast of the film to play the lead roles. Forest Whitaker was added to the cast of the film in June 2015. In July 2015, Jonathan Aris was cast to play Senator Jebel in the film. In February 2016, model Eunice Olumide revealed she had a part in the film.

Rogue One will be the first Star Wars movie without any Jedi.

Filming

Principal photography on the film began at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire in early August 2015. Some scenes are being shot in Laamu Atoll in Maldives, as well as in Iceland and Jordan.

The film will be shot using Ultra Panavision 70 lenses on 65mm film stock for an undisclosed number of sequences.

Music

Alexandre Desplat will compose the incidental music for Rogue One.