Summary
Rogue One: A Star Wars Storyis considered by many fans to be one of the bestStar Warsfilms, but there are several details beyond the movie that can only be found in other media. BecauseRogue Oneis a standalone movie featuring a large ensemble cast, there simply wasn’t enough time to reveal everything about the characters in only two hours. The film reveals more backstories for its characters, locations, and events while also raising more questions.
Thankfully,Star Warsis a trailblazing transmedia franchisewith stories told across every medium. The TV shows, books, comics, and reference guides fill in the gaps for several characters and enhanceRogue One’s story by adding greater depth to its narrative. From the prequel trilogy to right before the start ofA New Hope, 10 details aboutRogue Onecan only be known by venturing outside the movie itself.
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10Saw Gerrera’s Tragic Backstory
A man who moved from one war to another
Saw Gerrera is presented as a broken man who no longer fears death inRogue One, and his appearances in otherStar Warsmedia reveal why. First introduced in the Onderon arc ofStar Wars: The Clone Warsseason 5,Saw Gerrera was a freedom fighter who fought alongside his sister, Steela, to free their homeworld from a Separatist occupation. However, in the final battle, Saw shot down a ship that knocked Steela off a cliff and caused her to fall to her death. Saw was plagued by guilt over his actions, and losing his sister tainted his people’s victory.
Even his homeworld’s freedom was shortlived, asthe Republic became the Empire and turned on Saw’s freedom fighterswhen they refused to bow to Palpatine. Saw became a prominent Rebel fighter, though he distrusted most Rebel leaders because they wanted to bring back the governments that had betrayed his people during the war. Mon Mothma eventually cut ties with Saw because he targeted civilians and broke the rules of engagement in his increasingly desperate attempts to stop the Empire’s expansion throughout the galaxy.
9How Jyn Erso Ended Up In An Imperial Prison
It was thanks to another rebel cell
Following the prologue,Rogue Onejumps 15 years into the future, where an adult Jyn Erso is in an Imperial Prison. While the Rebels later break her out, it was another rebel cell that caused her to be sent there in the first place. Using the alias of Liana Hallik, Jyn attempted to infiltrate a rebel cell in the Five Points system, only to be arrested by Imperial Admiral Bethava Rocwyn. The Empire looked down on Jyn but recognized her spirit and believed she could be useful, leading to her 20-year sentence at the farms on Wobani.
8Cassian Andor’s Complex Journey To Joining The Rebellion
There’s so much more than what the film hints at
Rogue Onehints at Cassian Andor’s past throughout its runtime, implying his history and motivation for joining the Rebel Alliance. However,Andorseason 1 did the unexpected by revealing how layered and complex Cassian’s journey was to the Rebellion, turning from a thief out for himself to a man firmly dedicated to overthrowing the Empire. Cassian tells Jyn inRogue Onethat he has been in the fight since he was six years old, which most viewers assume was his fight against the Empire. InAndor,Cassian’s struggle begins on Kenari before he knows of the Empire.
Cassian also tells Chirrut Îmwe that he has never been in a cell like the one they’re trapped in, butAndordidn’t let this mean he had never been in prison. The show dedicated an arc to Cassian being imprisoned by the Empire, not for any of the crimes he did commit, but for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. After seeing Cassian’s story inAndor, his brutal methods inRogue Onemake perfect sense, but it’s also clear why he now fights for a cause and not just himself.
7The Death Star’s Full History
A lot changed betweenAttack of the ClonesandRogue One
Rogue Onereveals more about the history of the Death Star, primarily about who designed its weapon and how the rebels stole the plans. Even so, there was still quite a bit of missing information from the Death Star’s brief appearance at the end of the prequel trilogy and its first appearance inRogue One.Star Wars: Catalyst - A Rogue One Novelby James Luceno filled in the missing gaps in the Death Star’s construction, chronicling how Orson Krennic began the project after Count Dooku brought the Geonosian plans to Palpatine inStar Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones.
6How Cassian Met K-2SO
He was the one to reprogram the Imperial droid
Cassian and K-2S) were an effective and hilarious duo inRogue One, and Star Wars:Rogue One - Cassian & K-2SO special#1 shows how the pair first met. While on a mission for the Rebellion, Cassian tricked K-2SO into arresting him, only for the rebels to take him down and reprogram him. The story has K-2SO gradually lose his memory, simultaneously helping Cassian while also trying to arrest him. It’s currently unclear ifAndorseason 2 will adapt this comic, mention it, or come up with an entirely new first meeting for Cassian and K-2SO.
5What Mon Mothma Sacrificed For The Rebellion
Her family likely despises her
Despite being the leader of the Rebel Alliance and later the New Republic, Mon Mothma’s onscreen role was limited for a long time. Thanks to theStar WarsTV shows, she was finally allowed to shine outside the movies, showing how and why she came to form the Rebellion.Andorshowed how everyone, even her husband and daughter, thought she was nothing but an annoying politician focused on charity.Star Wars Rebelsshowed Mon Mothma resign from the Senate and bring the Rebel Cells together, which likely had tremendous consequences for those she cared about.
4Chirrut Îmwe And Baze Malbus Knew Saw Gerrera
He tried to recruit them into the Partisans
Like many other characters inRogue One, Chirrut Îmwe and Baze Malbus appear to have no history with Saw Gerrera’s partisans when they are captured. However,Star Wars: Guardians of the Whillsby Greg Rucka showed what the pair were up to on Jedha before the events of the film. Saw attempted to recruit them into the Partisans, knowing they must hate the Empire for raiding their temple and robbing them of their purpose. The two did not end up joining, giving the Partisans no reason to trust their word in the movie.
3Why Darth Vader Built His Castle On Mustafar
It was more than a symbolic gesture
Darth Vader’s castle on Mustafar is an intimidating sight inRogue One, but viewers may wonder why he would build his fortress at the sight of his greatest defeat. It may symbolize how Anakin Skywalker died and Darth Vader was born, but the comics gave it a deeper meaning.Vader built his castle on top of a nexus strong in the dark side of the Force, where he even encountered the spirit of an ancient Sith Lord. It was here that Vader brought a stolen kyber crystal and bled it by pouring his anger and hatred, creating his red lightsaber.
2Background Characters From Other Star Wars Media
Namely Hera Syndulla and Chopper
While most of the returning characters inRogue Oneappeared in otherStar Warsmovies, a few background characters transitioned from the TV shows. Hera Syndulla’s name can be heard after Jyn’s failed attempt to convince the council to attack Scarif, and her droid chopper can be seen in the background just before the rebels depart. Along with the characters fromStar Wars Rebels,theGhostcan be seen at the Rebel base and later flying alongside the fleet at the Battle of Scarif.
Hera and Chopper later made full live-action appearances inAhsokaseason 1.
1How Darth Vader Tracked Princess Leia’s Ship To Tatooine
Lightspeed is normally a go-to means of escape
Rogue Oneends with Princess Leia’s ship, theTantive IV, jumping to lightspeed after receiving the Death Star plans. This makes it confusing when Darth Vader manages to track her to Tatooine at the start ofA New Hope, especially since hyperspace tracking wasn’t introduced untilStar Wars: The Last Jedi. TheStar WarsanthologyFrom A Certain Point of Viewexplains that the hyperdrive was damaged in battle, creating a trail that the Empire could follow. Whether a small detail or a significant one, there’s plenty of information on the Rebellion outside ofRogue One: A Star Wars Story.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Cast
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is a standalone film set in the Star Wars universe, where a group of resistance fighters, led by Jyn Erso, embarks on a mission to steal the Death Star plans. This pivotal event sets the stage for the iconic saga to follow.
