Two New Rogue One TV Spots

Here are two more TV spots for Rogue One which is hitting theaters on December 16.

Losing the Opening Crawl and Info on Star Wars Future

In interviews to promote Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Lucasfilm President and Star Wars executive producer Kathleen Kennedy spoke about the franchise as a whole. The tidbits include dropping the opening crawl on Rogue One (and likely any non Episode/Saga films for the franchise), how tone will change for story films, and more. Quotes below.

Opening Crawl

“We felt that’s so indicative of what those saga films are. Initially, we probably will begin the film in a way that is traditional, with just the title.”

Female Director

“We want to make sure that when we bring a female director in to do ‘Star Wars,’ they’re set up for success. They’re gigantic films, and you can’t come into them with essentially no experience… We want to really start to focus in on people we would love to work with and see what kinds of things they’re doing to progress up that ladder now, and then pull them in when the time is right.”

Boba Fett Film

No direct quote but no update after director Josh Trank left (or fired). With the set back the Han Solo film was moved up and the third "Star Wars Story" film's focus officially remains unknown.

Tone

While “Rogue One” is described as a “World War II-style adventure film,” Kennedy says the Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s Han Solo spin-off: “…moves closer to a heist or Western type feel. We’ve talked about [Frederic] Remington and those primary colors that are used in his paintings defining the look and feel of the film.”

After Episode IX

“There are [possible movies] that we have been talking a lot about. But we are planning to sit down in January, since we will have had The Force Awakens released, now Rogue One, and we’ve finished shooting Episode VIII. We have enough information where we can step back a little bit and say, What are we doing? What do we feel is exciting? And what are some of the things we want to explore? That’s a conversation going on right now, too.

I have to honestly tell you, could we [do nothing but stand-alones]? Sure. But I don’t know. We are looking at all of that. I think [the idea of new stories] is exciting for fans. It’s certainly exciting as a filmmaker, the notion that we can explore these stories that genuinely have a beginning, middle and an end, and don’t necessarily have to tie into something specific.”

I suspect if the every other year trilogy with stand-alones in between remains as lucrative in the long term as it currently seems it will be, Disney will insist they continue the pattern for as long as audiences show up. So the question is less "will they" and more "what story will they tell next." Personally I would just like to see the Jedi actually fight with complete mastery of the force. It has only been hinted at but mostly devolved to literal saber rattling but there has be more to their capabilities. The Extended Universe suggested it multiple times (once with the death of Anakin Solo) but the books were really the only time force abilities had been pushed beyond the narrow film scope of moving few things, moving themselves quickly, being good with lightsabers, and vaguely sensing others.

Three New TV Spots for Rogue One

Here are three new TV spots for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

Game of Thrones Actress Joins Han Solo Movie

Game of Thrones' Emilia Clarke (Khaleesi) has joined the cast of the Han Solo movie that is set for release in May 2018. StarWars.com didn't identify the role but said "Clarke’s role will round out a dynamic cast of characters that Han and Chewie will encounter on their adventures." The other cast roles for the film are Alden Ehrenreich (Han) and Donald Glover (Lando Calrissian). Probably safe to assume she is playing the lead female character and possible romantic interest for Han. The way the recent films have been blatantly copying the trilogy I suspect we will find her characteristics will be eerily similar to a certain princess.

Rogue One Featurette

Below is a new featurette for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story that gives a behind the scenes peek at the movie.

Rogue One International Trailer #2

Here is the second international trailer for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Not a whole lot of new footage, probably the most significant is an additional second or two of Vader.