I had always figured Rogue One would echo A New Hope in certain ways, seeing as how it's supposed to take place immediately beforehand. By proximity, it should "feel" like ANH, and the latest trailer has got me thinking about just how much it will pay homage to the original Star Wars. I'm going to be bringing up a lot of parallels, but to be clear, I don't think this will be another "retread" of ANH like TFA is to some people. I actually think Rogue One might "invert" the imagery and structure of ANH in clever ways that make it feel fresh. The structure of the final trailer seems to line up with the structure of ANH, and I wonder if we're seeing things more or less in chronological order... Our hero originates on an Icelandic planet, what I'll call the anti-Tatooine. It's cold, icy, with "black sand" rather than the light-colored sands of Tatooine. The visible ring in the sky gives it an otherworldly feel, akin to the twin suns. The "black" version of the Lars Homestead. (I'll keep my Galen Erso = Lor San Tekka theories out of this, but I also can't help but notice shades of the beginning of TFA here...) Galen is about to be kidnapped by the Empire over Death Star plans, a la Leia. Hope is left in the hands of a small and unlikely hero Jyn, a la R2-D2. Enter Krennic, the anti-Vader. Rather than a black-clad figure towering over white Stormtroopers, the white-clad Krennic looks small compared to his taller-than-average Deathtroopers. Compensating much? Already, he's a different kind of villain. Flash forward, Jyn is now our surrogate Leia, imprisoned by the Empire. Jedha, another anti-Tatooine in that it's a cold desert. A fitting climate for a planet occupied by the Empire's "chilly" regime. Notice the insect droid. An Easter Egg to indicate where in ANH we are? Our heroes (Jyn/the droids) are imprisoned (by the Empire/Jawas). "You wanna get out of here?" A no-nonsense version of Luke's "I'm here to rescue you" moment. Like in TFA, this moment probably happens in Act 1. The fallen Jedi statue illustrates that the Jedi have been lost to history. Perhaps this is the point in ANH where Obi-Wan enters to offer some exposition about Jedi and the Force. Saw Gerrera, likely filling the Obi-Wan older mentor role. More machine than man... Has he been corrupted? More on this in a bit... Like Han Solo and Mos Eisley in ANH, perhaps Saw and his creature-y guerrilla fighters introduce us to the galaxy's seedier underbelly. Perhaps they help our heroes escape Jedha past Imperial forces? The hero's call to action comes with some unexpected knowledge about his/her father. Luke learns his father was a Jedi, killed by the Empire. Jyn learns that hers is working on the Imperial superweapon. Eadu, a dark and scary Imperial planet (reminds me of a Transylvanian castle or something). I'm guessing this will serve as the "belly of the beast," the enemy territory that the heroes must infiltrate a la the Death Star in ANH in the second half of Act 2. Like Vader, a father figure that works for the Empire. Is redemption in his future? Krennic brags about the awesome power of the Death Star to Vader. Not advisable, if ANH is any indication... Jedha serving as the surrogate Alderaan in this film. [continued below to fit more images...]
Obligatory "How do we blow this thing up?" scene... Heroes disguise as Imperials to infiltrate enemy territory. An attack on an Imperial space station. Vader's first full introduction? Echoes of the carbon freezing chamber, though the palette is black and white here as opposed to the hot/cold red/blue of ESB. Very much in keeping with the palette of Vader's first scene in ANH. He comes from a strict black and white morality at this point in the saga. (It even vaguely resembles his first scene at the end of ROTS). Galen brought to his knees by... Saw perhaps? I'm convinced Galen will ultimately be a good guy, and I'm wondering if Saw will turn out to be a villain, given that he's supposed to be an extremist and talks like he's a broken man. This would then serve as the Obi-Wan/Vader fight of this movie, where the old allies turned enemies meet again. "Save the Rebellion! Save the dream!" Famous last words? Is Saw saying this to Jyn because it's too late for himself? Has his own dream become corrupted? This would make him the perfect anti-Obi-Wan. I'm guessing the Scarif battle is Act 3, but I could be wrong. If Rogue One is an inverted ANH, then I think it will give us more of a downer ending rather than a victory celebration. It would make sense that Act 3 would start to evoke ESB, hence the AT-ACTS and an idyllic "paradise world" a la Cloud City. The Rebels score their first victory in the end, but at what cost? I might have some of this all wrong and out of order, but as I broke down the trailer, I couldn't help but notice the ANH parallels. I can already hear complaints of another retread, but I think so far Rogue One seems to be a clever inversion of classic Star Wars tropes with new and inspired imagery rather than just a lazy homage. Thoughts? Other parallels you noticed?
One thing I noticed about the infiltration is the contrast in attire. Instead of suiting up in white stormtrooper armor that fully conceals their faces like Han and Luke did, Cassian and Jyn wear all black with their faces either fully or partially exposed. Also, Chewbacca has the least business aboard the Death Star due to the Empire's humanist speciesism, whereas K-2SO belongs there mores than Cassian or Jyn do since he's an Imperial droid, albeit one reprogrammed to serve the Rebellion.
True. I also wonder if there's some symbolism to the colors. Luke and Han are in white, and are clearly good guys in a morally black and white world. I get the sense the morality of Rogue One is less clear cut. There are "good" Imperials (K-2SO, Bodhi, probably Galen) and maybe even corrupt Rebels (Saw?).
I tend to lean toward belief that the term "rogue" truly applies within the story. Probably on both sides.
So I've been breaking the screenplay structure of A New Hope down for another project, and it got me thinking about the potential parallels in Rogue One. I decided to go through ANH beat by beat, and sort of predict how I think RO might unfold based on the theory. ACT 1 - "Home of the Heroes" ANH starts on the Tantive IV ("home" of the droids), transitions to Tatooine (Luke’s home) RO starts on the Iceland Planet (home of the Ersos), transitions to Yavin IV (home of the Rebellion) "Iceland Planet" -Pan down (or up?) to the Iceland planet. It's the anti-Tatooine. Cold, rather than hot. Dark sand, rather than light. -Both Tatooine and "Iceland" have an otherworldly element that reminds us we're not on Earth. Instead of Twin Suns, this one has a ring (which looks vertical from the planet’s surface. A "topsy turvy" world.) -The Empire pays a visit to the good guys. In ANH, they attack the Tantive IV. Here, they show up at the Erso Homestead. -Leia gives plans to R2 before she is taken away. Galen hides Jyn before he is taken away. Does he give her something, even if just some important parting words? -Vader arrives: a tall black figure towers above white Stormtroopers on a black and white ship. Krennic is a short white figure with tall black troopers on a black, white (and green) planet. Green (symbolizing life) is usually associated with the Rebellion. Despite the “black and white” conditions, life is able to grow. -Leia is captured, as are the droids (by the Jawas). Galen is taken away. Flash forward: Jyn is also currently imprisoned. (Is the prison on Jedha or some other planet we only see briefly?) -Luke and his family “rescue” the droids (by buying them). Cassian and his Rebel “family” rescue Jyn. Yavin IV -Catalyst / Call to Action: The Rebels seek access to an old friend in Obi-Wan (ANH) / Galen Erso (RO). Luke / Jyn is faced with a decision to answer the call. -Twin Suns moment: Perhaps the shot of Jyn looking out the window with the sun pouring in? -Exposition about Luke’s father. Exposition about Jyn’s father. (Both working for the Empire, though Luke learns this later) -The full Call to Action revealed: Obi-Wan requests Luke's help to deliver the plans to Alderaan. Jyn must appeal to her father? -The deaths of his aunt and uncle force Luke to commit to following down his father’s footsteps: becoming a Jedi. In RO, Jyn learns her father helped design a doomsday weapon. The threat of annihilation forces Jyn to commit to find her father, becoming a Rebel. ACT 2A - “First Steps” Into a Larger (Under)world ANH: Mos Eisley (a diverse, dangerous place of lawlessness) RO: Jedha (a diverse, dangerous place ruled by the law of the Empire) -The heroes seek outside help,, make new friends. In ANH, they need a pilot. In RO, they need Saw Gerrera’s help in recruiting Rebels for the job? -Stormtroopers patrol the streets of Mos Eisley/Jedha. -We learning more about the Force. ANH: Obi-Wan uses a Jedi mind trick, his lightsaber. I'm sure we'll get some Force-related exposition as we soak in the culture of Jedha. -In ANH we get some in-universe music at the Cantina. Maybe we'll hear the SW version of a hymn somewhere on Jedha? -Using his Force abilities, Obi-Wan helps Luke fend off some criminals. Baze and the Force-attuned Chirrut help the heroes fend off the Imperials? -The heroes find who they’re looking for. In ANH: A pilot, Han. In RO: Saw, along with his Partisans. They represent the “criminal underworld” like Han. -The Empire draws closer… In ANH: Troopers in Mos Eisley follow the heroes' trail while the Empire sets course for Alderaan. In RO, the Empire prepares to test the Death Star on Jedha. -An Imperial spy (Garindan) tails our heroes and sells them out to the Empire. Perhaps this is where Bodhi Rook comes in. A turncoat who helps the heroes escape rather than sell them out? -Heroes escape on the Falcon/U-Wing under Imperial fire. *Midpoint: Death and Destruction (Alderaan / Jedha) -The old mentor is affected by the destruction. Obi-Wan senses Alderaan. Saw is killed on Jedha? -A recommitment by the hero: Luke begins his Jedi training on the Falcon, taking his first steps into a larger world. Jyn recommits to stopping the Death Star after she sees it destroy Jedha. -A ticking clock is introduced. ANH: “Terminate her. Immediately.” Leia must be saved ASAP. After Jedha, the Death Star must be stopped! ACT 2B - “Belly of the Bad Guys” ANH: The Death Star RO: Eadu (is my guess, as I think Scarif will be Act 3) -Heroes are forced to enter dark, scary enemy territory. -Parting words from the mentor: Obi-Wan's "The Force will be with you always." vs. Saw's "Save the Rebellion! Save the dream!" (even though these happen on different sides of the midpoint. Much of this is pretty flexible.) -In ANH, the heroes disguise as the enemy to infiltrate the Death Star. In RO, Jyn and Cassian do the same (though that will be Act 3). On Eadu, it looks like they execute some kind of sneak attack in the middle of the night. -”The Princess is here!” Are the Rebels on Eadu to extract Galen? -Heroes split up. In ANH, Obi-Wan sneaks around to deactivate tractor beam and is later killed. In RO, Chirrut and Baze split off to do something on their own. Chirrut is killed. Some Rebel characters are on the ground, others participate in the X-Wing aerial attack. (RO puts the X-Wing set piece in Act 2 and the disguised infiltration in Act 3.) *The "All is Lost" moment: A Force-attuned character (Obi-Wan/Chirrut) sacrifices himself so the others can escape. Will Jyn have an All is Lost moment of her own? Something regarding her father? *Dark Night of the Soul: The heroes are at their lowest point as they escape Imperial fire. Luke mourns Obi-Wan. Baze mourns Chirrut. -The Empire bears down on the heroes. The odds are against them. *Revelation: The Spark of Hope. In ANH, we finally learn what R2 is carrying: the Death Star plans. There is hope! In Rogue One... “We have hope. Rebellions are built on hope." Jyn's speech rallies the group as they make a break for the Death Star plans. ACT 3 - "Attack on the Death Star (Plans)" ANH: Yavin IV (where the heroes regroup), Final Battle over the Death Star RO: Yavin IV?, Final Battle on Scarif (home of the Death Star plans) -Scarif: A paradise world, like Cloud City, complete with AT-ACTs. Getting into ESB territory? Also evokes ROTJ’s ground battle on Endor (Natural setting, with scout-like shoretroopers). Is the last Act of RO almost like a "greatest hits" of the OT, like TFA's final act? -The heroes regroup, lay out their plan of attack on the Death Star / Scarif. -"All wings report in." The rallying of the Rebels. If they weren't already along for the ride, maybe some of Saw’s Partisans (Pao? Bistan? Moroff?) turn to help out. Do they show up as a surprise to provide some last minute support, like Han? -Vader joins in on the battle. Will he do the same in RO, showing up on Scarif? -Red Leader dies, Biggs dies. Luke is eventually on his own. Does the Rogue One team die off one by one? Jyn will almost certainly have to finish the job by herself (up on that catwalk in the trailer? Speaking of catwalks and what they tend to mean in SW (see TFA), are we in for another father-child bomb drop between Jyn and Galen? Does Galen die here? Or fake his death to become Lor San Tekka? (I should just change my screen name to GalenErsoAKALorSanTekka already...) -Twist! A friend (Han) returns, allowing Luke to deliver the killing blow. The Partisans/Rebels provide backup? Or if inverted, does a supposed friend betray the team here? Bodhi? -Luke delivers the final blow to the Death Star. Jyn accomplishes the mission, allowing the plans to be transmitted. -Tarkin dies with the Death Star, Vader lives to fight another day. Krennic gets killed by Vader? -Reunion of friends in ANH. Will there be anyone left in RO? Reunion of family, instead? Jyn and Galen, to mirror the beginning? -End Celebration. Heroes rewarded by Princess Leia of Alderaan. In RO, perhaps we see the plans handed off to Bail Organa of Alderaan? Will Leia herself cameo? Should be interesting to see how accurate this is. I'll definitely adjust my theory once the movie's out. Until then... Thoughts?
I agree that would be pretty much the plot's structure, although now I'm not sure if Scarif will be the third act. In the teaser trailer, we see Krennic walking in what appears to be the aftermath of the battle of Scarif. Unless that scene is almost at the end of the movie, I'm starting to think that the final act will be in Eadu. Scarif would be the big battle of the movie, but in Eadu things would be more personal (dealing with Jyn's father and all that) much like in Cloud City in TESB. Besides, we have barely seen Jyn's companions on Eadu (unlike Scarif, where all of them are there, including Chirrut), meaning that perhaps some of them (if not, all of them) will meet their fate there. I remember there was a part of a video shown at the Celebration in which Jyn was crying in the middle of the rain, suggesting that she will witness something terrible. But yeah, judging by all the advertising, it looks like Scarif will be the movie's climax.
You're right about not seeing much about who's on Eadu, and I didn't realize Chirrut had been spotted on Scarif. Hmm.. That changes things, and probably makes more sense in terms of following ANH's structure. Maybe I'll write out an alternate version switching Eadu and Scarif in the near future...
The Jedha City gets blown up. Jyn, Cassian, Chirrut and Baze escape in the U-Wing. Bodhi and Kaytoo watch from Saw's hideout. Jyn says they have to get her father. Cassian is with Jyn in Eadu as Krennic arrives to take Galen away. They are near the entrance to the mine/research facility and Chirrut and Baze are covering them from the rocks above. The X-Wing goes and spoils everything. Jyn makes a run for her father but it's too late. Kaytoo and Bodhi arrive in the Imperial Transport to rescue them.
Another "homage" to ANH.... didnt Disney just give us this in TFA??? Please, no.... I want this to feel different in every way than ANH was.... we dont want another nostalgia fest with all the same plot beats Abrams just did. I'm hoping you're wrong here or I will be disappointed.
I understand that concern. Maybe it's a superficial element, but I'm reassured by the fact that we're visiting distinctly new types of environments (Iceland, a cold desert, a beach planet, whatever Eadu is), whereas TFA had decidedly less inspired settings. Jakku was Tatooine 2.0, D'Qar was Yavin 2.0, Takodana was another generic green planet like D'Qar (they might have even originally been the same planet according to old rumors). and Starkiller Base was the third Death Star (with some Hoth thrown in, though the snowy forest was new for SW). But what TFA lacks in world-building it makes up for with refreshing new characters. My hope is that Rogue One will feature equally lovable characters, and that any homages to ANH are subverted or executed in surprising ways.
So after seeing Rogue One twice now and analyzing it, I do think the Inverted ANH theory still stands. While not every parallel lines up in the same point in the story, it's pretty darn close. Here are my updated notes... ACT 1 - “Home of the Hero" -Pan UP (not down as in ANH) to the rings of Lah'mu. We're not sure what we're looking at until the shot changes and we see the planet. As with the opening shot of ANH, our expectations are subverted as the scope of what we're seeing is revealed. -LAH'MU, where the Hero hails from, is the anti-Tatooine. Cold, not hot. Dark sand, not light. Unlike Tatooine, life can grow here, despite the harsh conditions. Ironic, given that Luke survives and Jyn does not. Both characters grow up on farms. The Erso homestead echoes the Lars homestead. -Jyn’s nickname is “Stardust.” The opposite of "Skywalker," which suggests someone who survives in space, defying the odds. Stardust suggests something tragic. She is literally dust in the end. -Otherworldly element: Instead of Twin Suns, this one has a ring (looks vertical from the planet’s surface, suggesting that this is a topsy turvy world.) -The Empire (Krennic/Vader) attacks the Rebels (the Tantive/Ersos) -Leia gives plans to R2 before she is taken away. -Lyra gives Jyn a kyber crystal (a symbolic gesture of "hope") before she is killed and Galen is captured. Leia gives R2 the Death Star plans (the physical "hope" mentioned at the end of RO) before she is captured. -Krennic: a short white figure with tall black troopers on a black, white (and green) planet. Vader: a tall black figure towers above white Stormtroopers on a black and white ship. -Krennic has Lyra killed. Vader kills a Rebel. -Jyn hides in a CAVE (which in other SW films like ESB, represents the dark side within. Ironically, it’s Jyn’s safe space, as she often returns there in her mind throughout the film) -Jyn is placed in the care of Saw Gerrera, an old Rebel ally a la Obi-Wan. Like Old Ben, he looks after Jyn from afar (abandoning her at 16), but he’s also Obi-Wan’s opposite in that he echoes Vader (more machine than man). -CAPTURE. In RO: Galen is captured by the Empire, Adult Jyn is in an Imperial prison, Bodhi is captured by Saw's Partisans. In ANH: Leia is captured by the Empire, R2 and 3PO by the Jawas. The motif of capture reminds us the characters of RO live directly under the thumb of the Empire, unlike Luke who is fortunate to be left alone. -Ring of Kafrene: a city between two asteroids, where Cassian and his informant meet. Rebels literally occupy the margins of the galaxy. Cassian kills the spy, showing us a much more conflicted, compromised Rebel than we’re used to. -WOBANI: Another cold planet (anti-Tatooine) with a labor camp, "home" to present-day Jyn. -Luke and his family “rescue” the droids (by buying them). -Cassian and his Rebel “family” rescue Jyn, just as Luke's family rescues the droids from the Jawas. Jyn is still a prisoner of the Rebellion however, just as the droids are still property of the Lars'. -Cassian and K2 are a Rebel version of Han and Chewie. Whereas Chewie is a "giant teddy bear" that represents Han's softheartedness, K2 is an impersonal droid that represents Cassian’s questionable morals and tactics: he literally uses the Empire’s own methods against them. Catalyst / Call to Action: Both Jyn and Luke are given an opportunity to help the Rebellion. The mission involves tracking down an old ally: Saw/Galen in RO (both of whom the Rebellion wants dead), and Obi-Wan in ANH (whose help the Rebellion needs). Debate: Both heroes resist the call. Jyn is apolitical, doesn’t want involved. (Like Luke and Han, she avoids helping the Rebellion) -Jyn agrees to help as far as finding Saw, so she won’t have to go back to prison. Luke agrees to take Obi-Wan as far as Anchorhead, but can't commit because of his obligations to Uncle Owen. ACT 2A - “First Steps” Into a Larger (Under)world RO: Jedha (a diverse, dangerous place under Imperial law) ANH: Mos Eisley (a diverse, dangerous place of lawlessness) -Heroes travel to a rough city to look for Saw and the Imperial pilot Bodhi. In ANH, they’re also looking for a pilot. They even bump into Dr. Evazan and Ponda Baba along the way. -Rebel heroes evade Imperials in the streets. Unlike Tatooine, this is heavy Imperial occupation. A skirmish breaks out. Unlike Luke at the cantina, Jyn is able to handle herself in a fight. The heroes are captured by the Partisans. -Baze and Chirrut are Guardians of the Whills, everyman bystanders who get swept up in the action, like the droids. Instead of coming from the Rebel realm, they come from the spiritual Jedi realm. -We learn more about the Force from Chirrut, as we do with Obi-Wan. -Heroes imprisoned by Saw. His base echoes the cantina: a diverse group of ruffians hanging out, drinking, enjoying some entertainment (the dancing Twi’lek hologram). -As the hero speaks with the old master, a hologram divulges the full the mission. In RO: Galen’s message to Jyn is that the Death Star has a weakness. In ANH: the Death Star plans must be delivered to Alderaan. -Death forces the Hero to recommit to the mission. Dead Jawas > Dead Owen and Beru. Death forces Luke to commit to following down his father’s footsteps: becoming a Jedi. The destruction of Jedha forces Jyn to commit to finishing what her father started. Midpoint: Death and Destruction forces the hero to recommit In RO: Jedha City is destroyed. Jyn’s adoptive parent Saw dies. Jyn commits to finding her father and stopping the Death Star. In ANH: Luke’s adoptive parents Owen and Beru die, forcing him to commit to becoming a Jedi (though . Also, Alderaan is destroyed just as Luke commits to his Jedi training on the Falcon. ACT 2B - “Belly of the Bad Guys” -Heroes forced to enter enemy territory. In RO: The heroes fly to Eadu to rescue/kill Galen (the “Leia” of this movie). In ANH: Tractor beam pulls the heroes into the Death Star, where they find and rescue Leia. All is Lost: Jyn’s father dies. Luke’s father figure dies. Dark Night of the Soul -RO: Heroes escape under Rebel fire. ANH: Heroes escape under Imperial fire. -Jyn mourns Galen. Luke mourns Obi-Wan. -The odds are against the heroes. In RO: the Rebellion won’t approve an attack on Scarif because the odds are too great. In ANH: the Empire is tracking the Falcon and now know the location of the Rebel base. RO: Jyn’s speech: “We have hope. Rebellions are built on hope.” But the Rebellion won’t agree to help. The Rogue One team goes to fight anyway. ANH: R2 has readouts of the Death Star. There is hope! The Rebellion goes to fight, but Han the rogue won’t agree to help. ACT 3 - Attack on the Death Star (Plans) RO: Scarif, Space battle over the force field around Scarif ANH: Yavin IV, Space battle around the Death Star -In RO: the Rebels attack an Imperial base on Scarif. In ANH: the Empire looms over the Rebel base on Yavin IV. -The heroes enter enemy territory in a stolen Imperial ship, a la ROTJ. (As with Act 3 of TFA, the later films are referenced here) -The Rebels decide to reinforce the heroes after all, sending their fleet. Han decides to reinforce the heroes after all, returning to help Luke destroy the Death Star. -As in ANH, the heroes disguise as Imperials to infiltrate the enemy base. Rather than white Stormtrooper armor like Luke and Han, Jyn and Cassian wear the dark uniforms of an officer and gunner. -Jyn must ascend to the top of the radio tower to transmit the plans, a reversal of the end of ESB, where Luke descends to the bottom of Cloud City. -AT-ACTS join the fight on the beach (evoking/inverting the AT-AT snow battle in ESB). -One by one, the hero’s Rebel allies are killed off until Jyn/Luke is alone. But a friend (Cassian/Han) makes a surprise return to offer some last minute support, incapacitating the villain (Krennic/Vader). -Tarkin watches as the Rebels score a victory. In RO: Tarkin orders the Death Star to destroy the Empire’s own facility on Scarif. In ANH: the Death Star itself is destroyed with Tarkin on it. -Jyn "Stardust" is killed in the Death Star's destruction of the Scarif base. Luke Skywalker survives as the Death Star is destroyed. -The end of RO parallels the beginning of ANH, in which Vader leads a slaughter of Rebels on the Tantive IV. -Hope wins the day in ANH, while it just barely lives to fight another day in RO. Anyone notice any other parallels or inversions?
