'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story': Complete Trailer Breakdown and Analysis
Everything you need to know about the new clip!
— -- The new "Rogue One" trailer just aired on "Good Morning America," and the new clip reveals A LOT of plot details!
The relationship between Felicity Jones' Jyn Erso and her father, Mads Mikkelsen's Galen Erso, is explored at length, along with how our heroine's family might be tied to the Empire and the Death Star.
The trailer opens with Galen telling a young Jyn, “Whatever I do, I do it to protect you.”
Director Orson Krennic, along with a detachment of deathtroopers, come for Galen, which leads one to believe he may have to do something unsavory to protect his daughter. Later, Krennic and Galen do a lot of intense staring at each other, suggesting they have a long past history as frenemies.
There's been a lot said about the picture released weeks ago of a deathtrooper holding a stormtrooper doll. Was that young Jyn's toy? We'll find out soon.
About 30 seconds in, Ponda Baba appears to be sitting next to Jyn as she is rescued from her prison cell. Just worth a mention.
The Mission
Mon Mothma says Galen Erso is “critical to the development of a super weapon,” and thinks Jyn might be able to help with the rebellion. Once again, the trailer hints that Galen is the key to the Death Star's creation.
The Jyn line “if my father built this thing, we need to find him” suggests the rebels may have two missions, to secure the Death Star plans and also rescue, or redeem, her dad. This is also a possible nod/twist to the Luke Skywalker-Darth Vader, parent-child relationship culminating in "Return of the Jedi." Can Galen be redeemed?
When Baze Malbus asks, “How many do we need [to complete the mission]?" this could be a throwback to the "Return of the Jedi" scene with Mon Mothma, where Han Solo is put in charge of the mission to Endor, and Chewie, Leia and Luke all volunteer to help him.
Also revealed in this new trailer is the meaning behind “Rogue One." When K-2SO says, “They [the Empire] are requesting a call sign,” that almost mirrors the scene where Han and team, in a stolen shuttle, use an “older code” to obtain clearance from the Imperials to land on Endor in "Return of the Jedi." Riz Ahmed's Bodhi hammers it home, saying "It's rogue ... rogue one."
The big moment fans have been waiting for comes at the 1:15 mark, when we hear and see Darth Vader breathing, though he doesn't speak. Krennic is talking to Vader about the power of the Death Star. It feels like the same kind of speech Admiral Motti gave Vader in "Episode IV," just before he was Force-choked by a skeptical Vader.
(Later, we see Vader eagerly walking toward someone, intimidating as ever!)
More Backstory Hints
Forest Whitaker's Saw Gererra has also been somewhat of a mystery. In this new footage, we see he clearly has had a rough time since the "Clone Wars," appearing to lose both feet and parts of his legs. This fits his weathered, rugged look.
Chirrut also seems to be a kind of Yoda-esque, (but non-Jedi) wise man, telling the group to “take hold of this moment. The Force is strong.” For the first time there is reference to someone actually using the Force. Later, we see Chirrut use a crossbow/laser, but isn't he blind?
Though we know Chirrut is NOT a Jedi, we hear Cassian Andor make reference to the Force and how it can “make 10 men feel like a hundred.” Who is wielding the Force?
By the end of the clip, Jyn seems more of a leader than a "Rogue," despite her criminal past. It's a true "hero's journey" and there are three separate speeches from her -- one at the rebel base meeting (“we have hope… rebellions are built on hope”), one in the ship, and one in the Yavin 4 hangar before their mission.
Saw Gerrera helps to close out the trailer, screaming, “Save the rebellion, save the dream!”
"Rogue One" hits theaters on Dec. 16.