Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is widely considered one of the Star Wars best films, but before its infamous and mysterious reshoots and edits, this Star Wars the movie felt a little different. Rogue One was released on December 16, 2016, but in the eight years since, very little has been revealed about the film's evidently significant reshoots. What is known is that there were around five weeks of reshoots for Rogue Oneand that, at that time, the film and even the story changed significantly.
Reports vary as to whether this meant director Gareth Edwards was sidelined when writer Tony Gilroy was brought on to the project and made some major changes. Put VarietyEdwards has stated that rumors about the situation are largely inaccurate, although according to Tony Gilroy's brother, John Gilroy, his Rogue One the changes to the story were extensive. In any case, it is clear that the choices made during Rogue One Curious reshoots and edits fundamentally changed the plot of this popular Star Wars film.
Darth Vader's iconic hallway scene was the last scene added (but he would have suffered another massacre)
One of Rogue One's best scenes was almost not in the film
One of the most shocking changes made Rogue One during this period of reshoots was the addition of the now-iconic scene in which Darth Vader takes down a corridor of Rebel fighters. This scene is without a doubt the most well-known and celebrated in the entire film, and it's hard to imagine the film without it. Evidently, however, it was only after the final changes were made that this scene was filmed. According to VarietyGareth Edwards explained, “The last thing we shot on set was the Darth Vader hallway scene.”
Vader would still have played a role Rogue Onebut initially intended to fight on the ground at Scarif. In that sense, Darth Vader would have carried out a massacre in the film anyway, but there's little doubt that the alternate version would have paled in comparison to how brilliant the hallway scene ended up being. It is also notable that Edwards indicated that he played a key role in the development of the hallway scene, suggesting that this was not a reshoot done without or in lieu of his involvement.
K-2SO was originally the only major death in Rogue One
In the final version, almost all of the main characters died.
According to The directone of the most significant changes introduced Rogue One during these cuts and edits they involved the victims of the film. Initially, K-2SO would be the only major character death between Rogue One cast of characters. Obviously, this ended up changing considerably after reshoots and edits, as almost all of the main characters in Rogue One dies at the end of the film.
This included Jyn Erso, Cassian Andor, Director Krennic, Galen Erso, K-2SO, and others. In fact, this original story plan would have made Rogue One a completely different film. Although the end of Rogue One is unquestionably dark, it reveals a harsh but significant reality about rebellions and war. Considering that many Star Wars heroes won and lived to tell the tale, Rogue One proves that not every hero makes it out alive. At the end, Rogue One it's really about great personal sacrifice and the darker, grittier side of war.
Rogue One proves that not every hero makes it out alive.
Everyone except K-2SO made it out Rogue One alive, this message would have been considerably different. It would also have left the door open for the story to continue, which ultimately would have only done the characters and the film a disservice. Yes, Rogue One The ending is absolutely devastating, but part of what gives the film such impact is knowing that these stories actually come to an end. Of course, Andor has still found a creative way to expand the story, but it's doing so by exploring the past, not the future.
Cassian Andor and Jyn Erso would have a complete romantic arc
The tones were still in Rogue One, but that dynamic would have changed considerably
The direct also reported that originally, Rogue One would have given Jyn Erso and Cassian Andor a full romantic arc. All over Rogue Oneespecially at the end of the film, there was a hint of this. By the end of the film, however, the romantic tensions between the two had not really developed. Cassian and Jyn hugged each other as the explosion was coming to claim their lives, but it was unquestionably a hug of friendship and camaraderie, nothing more.
If Jyn and Cassian had a true romantic storyline, the film would have changed considerably, probably not for the better. Jyn and Cassian were brilliant characters, but Star Wars I didn't need another new couple. What Rogue One was bringing to the table ended up being much more innovative, and the focus on a budding romance would have undoubtedly detracted from that.
Jyn and Cassian were brilliant characters, but Star Wars I didn't need another new couple.
Of course, it's hard to say for sure that this storyline wouldn't have worked, as it wasn't brought to final knowledge. Star Wars screen. However, Jyn and Cassian's respective arcs were compelling enough without the addition of a romantic arc. Arguably, this cut helped both characters shine in their own right and kept the story focused on themes of redemption and self-sacrifice.
Scenes missing from trailers hint at major character changes - especially for Jyn Erso
Some scenes from the trailer were never planned to appear in the film
Many have also noticed that several clips included in the trailers for Rogue One It did not make it into the final version of the film, suggesting major changes to the story. Interestingly, some clips from the trailers should never be part of Rogue One. An important example was the image of Jyn Erso in front of a TIE fighter. While this was an amazing scene in the trailers, it was never actually intended to be part of the film (which left some viewers quite disappointed).
However, other aspects of the Rogue One The trailer suggests that certain character changes were made later in the game, particularly regarding Jyn. In the first trailers for Rogue Onethe Rebellion appeared to be actively recruiting Jynyet in the final version, it was Jyn who begged the rebels to join her. Additionally, Jyn seemed much more passionate about her anti-Imperial sentiments in the early trailers, whereas in the final version of Rogue OneJyn was more of a reluctant hero.
Ultimately, Rogue One is considered one of the Star Wars best movies for a reason. The innovative plot, compelling characters and focus on brutalities and losses in war make it a standout among Star Wars other films. However, it is fascinating to explore what could have happened Rogue One: A Star Wars Story if these later edits and reshoots hadn't happened.