UPDATE 2! First Star Wars Spinoff Named! Episode VIII Gets Release Date!
Big news for the Star Wars movie franchise hit today! The first Spin-Off finally has its name (which will probably surprise you), and director Rian Johnson’s Episode VIII is coming sooner than you think!
Let’s start off with the closer of the two: Star Wars: Rogue One. I’m about as surprised as many of you are that it’s not about Boba Fett, as many of us have presumed based on information leaks from way, way back. It appears as though this movie will be based on the fabled “Rogue Squadron” team of pilots that were shown in The Empire Strikes Back. Another key bit of information is that Rogue One will star up-and-coming actress Felicity Jones, who was recently nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 87th Academy Awards ceremony. The movie will be released on December 16, 2016, and it will be directed by Gareth Edwards (Monsters, Godzilla) and written by both Gary Whitta (The Book Of Eli, the video game based on The Walking Dead) and Chris Weitz (The Golden Compass, Cinderella).
The other bit of information worth bringing up is that Rian Johnson’s take on the franchise, Star Wars Episode VIII, is targeted for a May 26, 2017 release, keeping more in line with the release dates of the Prequel Trilogy and the Original Trilogy than the late-year release of The Force Awakens. The release date also comes in time to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the release of the original movie (give or take one day)! Johnson (Looper, Breaking Bad) will also be writing and the movie.
Stay tuned to Star Wars 7 News for more information on the Sequel Trilogy, the Spin-Offs, and more! Until then come join the conversation in the Cantina!
Source StarWars.com
UPDATE!
First reaction from Rian Johnson after the announcement:
Seriously, huge thanks for the kind words of support. Having the time of my life, CANNOT WAIT for you all to see the good stuff cookin up.
— Rian Johnson (@rianjohnson) March 12, 2015
And if you’re unfamiliar with the Rogue Squadron backstory, here’s a great summary by EntertainmentWeekly:
.@StarWars spinoff ‘Rogue One’ explained: A brief history of Rogue Squadron: http://t.co/WnB8LVncHF pic.twitter.com/CaBludwagP — Entertainment Weekly (@EW) March 12, 2015
UPDATE 2!
It appears that it was Gary Whitta who came up with the idea for the spin-off title. And not only this, but he actually gave us a few hints almost 6 months ago. That makes even stranger the fact that the official press release on StarWars.com didn’t even mention Whitta as the movie’s writer together with Chris Weitz.
Well I can now say that I named a @starwars movie! That’s pretty cool. #RogueOne
— Gary Whitta (@garywhitta) March 12, 2015
And the hints from 6 months ago:
Red Leader standing by! #MTFBWY pic.twitter.com/4S4IdtR75U — Gary Whitta (@garywhitta) September 17, 2014
A deleted shot from my X-Wing pilot selfie session… this is my “dedicated to the cause” look. #RedZero pic.twitter.com/wTjjPkOVW9
— Gary Whitta (@garywhitta) September 23, 2014
Grant has been a fan of Star Wars for as long as he can remember, having seen every movie on the big screen. When he’s not hard at work with his college studies, he keeps himself busy by reporting on all kinds of Star Wars news for SWNN and general movie news on the sister site, Movie News Net. He served as a frequent commentator on SWNN’s The Resistance Broadcast.
I hope it cherry picks from the events of Rogue Squadron N64.
“TOP GUN” ONLY, IN THE STAR WARS UNIVERSE! 🙂
No need to have a go at him here, this is not usual ‘omg what about the EU’. Writers are allowed to use whatever EU they want and that fits in with the story team, it’s not a case of ‘ignore the EU’. So I just hope some of the scenarios we saw in those games which are also noted in EU are inspired upon by the writers, as well as a nice mix with new overall story teams plan and new ideas 🙂
It’s not going to be just a copy/paste of Legends to new Canon. A LOT of things are going to be left behind. I doubt we’ll see Tycho or Corran Horn (thank God) for instance. Yes, they can pull from the old EU but outside minor C and D list names and ideas I doubt we’ll see any major characters transfer over. Never mind the idea of something like the Bacta War being made into a film. No, this will be it’s own thing and it will be awesome.
You can be my wingman any time.
Yeah, because mining a 20 year old video game is what fans want. Ugghh…
I said “cherry pick” from the events of the game. To explore the era in which the game takes place would be very interesting. I’m a fan and yes, that’s what I want.
And they’re not doing that with the old EU for future Star Wars material anyway? That is exactly what fans want. It’s new to new fans and familiar to old. It’s not like they’re remaking the OT.
You clearly give enough of a fuck to comment about your apathy on the subject. Next time think before you post.
The comment was meant to be funny so piss off
Ugh I’m pretty bummed about this. I knew it was going to be some typical tied in to the OT and after story. I’m a HUGE diehard fan, and will love it I’m sure. But was just hoping it would be something about darth bane or an old republic look. Not like the games or anything. I just happen to like all the stuff that was related to the old republic days. Hopefully they’ll get to that eventually. Once they milk boba fett, Han Solo early days and what not first. Which I’m sure they’ll still do with the other stand alone movies.
I hope it goes back to the OT era!
Yes!! Perfect choice! Rogue Squadron movie! Woo! Yes!
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaah!!!!! Rogue Squadron sounds a lot better to me 🙂
Kapow!! It’s on…here we go!!
When “The Force Awakens” was announced, I wasn’t sure how I felt, but as soon as I read “Rogue One” I thought “Yes! This is Star Wars!”
I hope you guys like bandwidth surges!
I am hyperventelating right now…I couldn’t even read the entire post at first as my brain frantically groped for information…my blood pressure’s up…Rogue Squadron?! EpVIII May 26th?! Are you kidding me?! That’s amazing. Here I thought we’d have to wait 2 whole years for VIII…awesome sauce. 🙂
Um, you do have to wait 2 years for Episode VIII
So much better than a Fett / Solo movie. Actually looking forward to it now.
Totally agree, I did not like the sound of oceans 11 set in space.
If Chris Nolan could make a Fett movie I might be fine with that though 🙂
“I did not like the sound of oceans 11 set in space.”
Who says Rogue One isn’t Ocean’s Eleven in space.
That would be really mean of them to do that to the SW rogue squadron fans, LOLZ
Or Top Gun with X wings lol
(in gruff angry voice) “I’m Boba Fett!”
Please God no. Chris Nolan movies work like sleeping pills on me.
ahhhhhhhh cant be worse than caravan of endor 2- battle of courage
you mean caravan of courage – battle for endor…
The official report states that it is called “Rogue One”. Does that actually mean that it won’t be a subtitle to “Star Wars”?
Don’t bet on it. Brand names sell better.
Is Bad Robot producing the spin-offs too?
I don’t think so, I’m not sure if they will even be on board for 8 & 9. (Mindel?) is Abram’s director of photography, I know Johnson uses his own D.O.P. as well.
I remember hearing Abrams say that Bad Robot would help produce VIII and IX.
Abrams will be executive producer for 8 & 9. I suppose it’s possible Bad robot might be involved with assisting in production… but I think where it really matters (the film crew/ providing the look for the film) will be Johnson’s team… though I might be wrong.
Steve Yedlin has been D.O.P. for all of Johnson’s films, neither Mendel or Yedlin are credited as being a part of Episode 8 yet.
Keep in mind though it’s part of a very, very large team effort (thank god). I have a feeling Lucasfilm, ILM, & Bad robot will be involved with all the films in some capacity. The crew that worked on the Harry Potter films are involved with the all the films so far, so it seems like everything is in good hands either way. Assistant director for Episode 8 worked on the Potter films.
Well Bad Robot is owned by JJ Abrams so I think its safe to say that if he is involved then HIS production company will be involved.
I’m not as concerned what era the film would be made for… if pressed I’d prefer post ROTJ actually, or even Force Awakens era… I suspect that we won’t see as much space combat as *I* might like to see in episode VII… so it might be cool to have a film that meets my appetite for seeing fighters crash into Star Destroyers & other capital ships again 🙂 I also want to see B wings again… those didn’t get the screen time that they deserved!
Without wedge it might be hard to do an Empire Strikes Back era film… although I wonder if he could be convinced to make a return to Star Wars if his role was more prominent. If I recall his complaint was about being a glorified extra pretty much.
Guys this is awesome… I hope the movie kicks ass & I can’t wait!!!!
“Without wedge it might be hard to do an Empire Strikes Back era film… although I wonder if he could be convinced to make a return to Star Wars if his role was more prominent.”
It wouldn’t be Denis Lawson if the movie is a “prequel.” And Wedge wasn’t prominent enough anyway in the original films to where they can’t recast him in the Sequels.
It wouldn’t make sense to re-cast Wedge since Dennis Lawson’s face and voice is all that distinguishes him as a character. If you think about it the main reason to bring Wedge back would be to deepen the sense of continuity and having a different actor would destroy that continuity and defeat the purpose. How about bringing back Major Derlin who was played by the guy from Cheers?
John Ratzenberger
He needs his own spin off with George Wendt as Porkins Brother Hoss.
They could have a great scene in the cantina.
It could make for a great buddy flick.
They could even fly a pink pig star destroyer.
If John Ratzenberger comes back as Major Derlin, then a George Wendt character has got to be named “Corporal Nam.”
“It wouldn’t make sense to re-cast Wedge since Dennis Lawson’s face and voice is all that distinguishes him as a character.”
The problem with that statement is manifold: Wedge was actually played by Colin Higgins in the scene without his helmet on. Lawson was a replacement for the first actor (who got stage fright or something) And Wedge’s voice was done by David Ankrum for both actors.
I was under the impression that hey dubbed his voice. As they did with many of he bit players.
If they put Wedge in, most moviegoers won’t know who he is anyway. Which makes me wonder why even include the character at all.
I think it’s safe to say it won’t be set during the PT era.
Ugh no recasts please… Wedge was pretty damn prominent to me! That goes for Porkins as well!
Porkins’s actor, William Hootkins, is dead.
Hire Jack Black for Porkins the second? LOL
Kidding a side. So I guess Poe dameron is in this movie too? Or are they gonna be set in OT time frame and use Robert Boulter as a younger Luke?
They should hire Jonah Hill, seriously, he might actually do well in a SW battle, you never know, he went straight from strange wilderness to wall street. The guy’s strange
Fat Kev Smith is the only Porkins recast I could deal with.
It appears that most of the rumor regarding with spin off was false. The idea came from CG veteran John Noal, not Kasdan. Our source was pretty weak .
Was it false, or have they moved things around? I think this is the “Red 5” movie we heard about before and they just decided that they would put off the Han and Boba movies till after this one.
Unless this is the Red 5 movie that was rumored by a source last year.
Darth Nadir…you totally ninja’d me. Lol.
Ninja, vanish *poof*
Am I the only one that is hoping Rouge One turns into being a Top Gun type of movie with Star Wars?
And OMG That movie will come out and then Episode 8. So much Star Wars, must continue to live
I must admit… the thought crosses my mind whenever I forget to put my seat belt on: “Oh shit! I better put this thing on… I have Star Wars movies to look forwards to!”
Everyone stay safe the next 50 years. Don’t die unless you ABSOLUTELY have to! xD
Cool. Anything else?
DISNEY: Bring money!
I hope its not “top gun” set to star wars. Beach volleyball on Tatooine? No thanks :p
Rouge One? Is that the french arthouse version? 😉
such nerd
very movies
Many excite
Yea very movies make many excite. Cause celebration.
I’m guessing Wedge will just be re-cast (if he’s in it), although he’s an important character in the original trilogy, he’s hardly seen (he always has a helmet on) and he’s only got a couple of lines. I’ve got no issues with Wedge being played my a different actor.
That would be awful.
Recast of any kind would be stupid.
I wouldn’t be a big fan of recasting either… Lawson is still part of my SW subconcious now.
One possibility is that they could CGI his face sort of like Bruce Willis in Looper… but that looks a little weird. They’ve gotta get the real wedge back or nuthin’ as far as I’m concerned.
I’m actually wondering though… could what Lawson said be part of the misdirection? Perhaps he said that as a pre-cursor sort of joke to being a major character in the Rogue 1 film. Well, I guess we’ll see… haha.
Would Lawson return if he had a much bigger and more developed supporting role (think original cast in TFA) and the film took place in the ST Era?
Maybe… I think he said he wanted like a lead role, not a cameo… perhaps supporting role.
You know what would be funny? As part of a big ruse, if he spent like 3 months filming and doing a bunch of dramatic scenes, and then they only end up using his X wing cockpit shots, saying things like “I’ll take the leader” or whatever. Haha. Man He’d be pissed.
DISNEY: Tell you what, Lawson. We’ll include all that extra footage in the Bonus Section of the Blu-Ray/DVD. 8;^)
They never even used his actual voice anyway.
Are you positive about that? He sure sounded like good ol’ Wedge in Local Hero (though he used his natural accent.)
Wedge has an American accent in the films. The actor who played him has a scottish accent. They used an american voice actor to dub over him.
There’s gotta be a credit somewhere? Even if it could be overdubbed keep in mind actors can speak in different accents… like Mel Gibson & Crowe are both Australian, but they’ve played a lot of American roles.
The guy who plays the sheriff in Walking Dead is from the UK… but it sure is a convincing U.S. accent.
Denis Lawson played Wedge, but his voice was dubbed by David Ankrum.
For my money, Hugh Laurie (House) is the Brit who does the best American accent. It’s really impeccable.
Apollo’s accent from the galactica reboot was pretty good, he’s a brit too
I don’t get why people are so up in arms about recasting. It’s inevitable anyways. Heck, Denis probably wouldn’t even care. They had two Wedges in the original Star Wars anyways.
Wedge is not only unimportant in terms of filling no substantial role in the plot, it’s a bit part that none but the most rabid fans are even aware of or care about.
His total screen time in the actual films consists of giving his call sign, and playing an entirely inconsequential role that any other background character could have filled in a few space battles.
One other about the earlier release date for VIII is that it sets up a possible theatrical re-release for at least Episodes 1-6 for the 40th anniversary including AOTC and ROTS in 3D for the first time outside of special event showings like Celebration.
Now do they also make 3D versions of IV-VI?
We simply (and logically) assumed that it’d be about 2 years until VIII even if it was moved up a month or two into November 2017.
Then again it is going to be pretty much a totally different core production team as JJ’s Bad Robot team was only doing TFA.
“Rogue One” could be a code word for Boba Fett,or could be a code word given by Boba Fett for a “hit” – for example Han Solo. Simply calling the movie STAR WARS:BOBA FETT is too obvious. In the world of Bounty Hunters I’d imagine they have codenames for each other.
It is interesting…typically what one would call Rogue One would actually be Rogue Leader…so this could be a misdirection and about something other than Rogue Squadron…but what an awful tease that would be.
To do an about face like that on fans I think is a little too harsh. Boba Fett will get his time to shine. (I thought that was going to be this movie.) I just think that Rogue Squadron is too well known from even a casual standpoint of the original trilogy especially TESB. Rogue group was all over that Hoth sequence. This has to be a Rogue Squadron movie. I’ve longed to see a figher jockey movie in the Star Wars universe. Boba Fett can be next.
Didn’t the vader comics say that the rebels stole the Death Star plans? This movie could still be about the race to get to the Death Star plans by a rebel squad of x-wings but also involve Mr. Fett. Possibly he is tracking them and wants to get the plans for his own reason. The rebellion ends up having to work with Mr. Fett to get the plans. It would introduce Mr. Fett back into the new SW universe and set up his solo movie.
I don’t know. The more I think about it, the more I want the movie to be post ROTJ even parallel to TFA if it must be. The Empire is still around and the Rebels are now going on the offensive. This could be a story that tells of a new Rogue Squadron that forms after the Battle of Endor moving forward. I honestly don’t see the need to see a film about the death star plans being stolen. The introduction of A New Hope is all that really matters. A battle was fought and won by the rebels and they stole the plans and passed them along to Leia. This is long winded but I’m REALLY excited for this one. I’m wanting something fresh and original. A post ROTJ squadron movie makes the most sense.
I have a feeling all the Death Star plans stuff will be handled on Rebels.
Honestly, I think that’s where it belongs. There’s no need for that in a film.
Correct me if I’m wrong but couldn’t this still be a boba fett film. Maybe he changed the name of his ship from slave one to rogue one because he’s a rebel now. Just saying, title could mean a bunch of things
That’s a stretch
Could Boba Fett still appear?
Sure it’s possible but if he does then it certainly won’t be a Boba Fett film which is what so many of the rumors have centred around.
He could very well be the villain of the movie but it sure seems that being the case all the other talk would seem to be as of now something to almost if not quite totally write off until further notice.
I’am not suprised at all.
Boba Fett rumors always sounded stupid to me.
Who cares for Boba Fett.
Fett has a massive fan base. It’s not a stretch for him to get the spotlight.
I care about a Boba Fett film.
I do.
Anybody else get the feeling Felicity Jones might be playing the future wife of Luke? I don’t know why I think that, but it makes sense to me that “IF” he has a child in the Sequels they would set up his wife in a stand alone so we get to know her. Then when they say she is dead in ep7 we will have some more empathy. Just a wild guess.
Except we won’t feel for her in VII because this film won’t be out yet…
We couldn’t have more empathy this movie comes out after ep. VII.
I really, really doubt that.
I’ll bet her name is going to be Evaan.
New character.
Yep. Got that backwards… I had originally written ep8, but then changed it when I realized they would likely reveal a child in 7, but didn’t think the logic through.
It could still work to get to know her in a stand alone before we learn more about the family in ep8. A reveal would likely come near the end of 7, then a stand alone to get some emotional ties to her, then more about the surviving family in 8.
Who is Rogue One? Is it Luke? The Aaron Paul guy could play Luke. Felicity can play Leia.
Rogue Squadron was Luke’s gang in ESB. Is this set during the OT?
Once again, LF gives us almost nothing to go on here.
Please noooooooo!!!
Recast of any kind would be stupid move.
No it wouldn’t be. The role itself is bigger than the person who plays it. Otherwise we wouldn’t be able to continue making Hamlet and other such classics. Star Wars isn’t above that.
“Recast of any kind would be stupid move.”
Not an Ewan McGregor fan, huh?
How about next spin-off “Star Wars:Porkins Can Hold It” and they rewrite into canon that Porkins did indeed hold it and is alive and well after 2—1b medical droid installed a bionic stomach digestion chamber that attached to a sack of filth and wires on his back…
SPOILER ALERT: Porkins didn’t die! <:^O
Star Wars: The Cooked Bacon Awakens xD
Star Wars: rogue bacon
Star Wars: the pork rumbles
Star Wars: revenge of the pork
My humble perception of spin off is to be set in the same timeline with sequel trilogy to avoid the regular movie goers misunderstandig of upcoming Episode 8.
This spin off is not set in OT timeline.So, Felicity is total new character, may be a friend of Po.
This is most likely not the case. It’s probably going to be slightly before, during, or after the OT, but not during the ST. If it is during the ST, I do not think you should expect to see any cameos based on how they’ve got the production set up.
Are your reasons for thinking this based on insider info? If not it seems like it might make more sense for them to make the film for the same time period.
I’ve heard they will re-use some of the props from VII for the spinoffs (if I recall?) maybe the X wings will be among those props used?
I don’t care much either way as long as I get to see a B wing or two and Star Destroyers blowing up…. though it seems like that would be more likely to happen post ROTJ / Force Awakens time period 🙂 35 years is a long time… perhaps the spinoffs might try to fill that gap a bit.
I agree, more likely set in the ST timeline.
I bet it’s between OT and ST time too.
It’s not based on insider information so much as it’s based on general trends to feature the Original Trilogy timeline prominently.
Yes, looking forward to a rogue squadron movie.
I can imagine this being merchandising heaven, just imagine the Lego.
I think I speak for everyone when I say…
https://youtu.be/JQCP85FngzE
YES! Rogue Squadron, over time, became by far my favorite part of the SW universe!
I hope they truly look at the comics, and the awesome, awesome novels for the script writing.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah. Great news.
What if Felicity Jones is Ysanne Isard?
So is Felicity going to play the pilot in the new Leia comics?
The writers behind the movie will most likely create a new character instead of using an existing one, even if they serve a similar purpose in terms of story.
Probably…but I will point out that Ysanne’s father Armand Isard has been canonized with the Tarkin novel so her existence in canon is not far fetched and she is important to the X-Wing series. Just saying…what if? 🙂
So the months of complaints were over false rumors..
Rogue One = Han Solo
On the official site Garry Whitta is not mentioned as writer… strange…
Doesn’t surprise me. People who write first drafts rarely ever get credited. Michael Ardnt isn’t credited for Episode VII even though JJ and Lawrence used bits and bobs from his script in their own.
Iger s comment suggest it won’t Solo nor Boba
I’m imagining John Knoll at his computer suddenly swiveling on his chair and going “Eureka! Let’s make a movie about an X-Wing squadron!”
Ahw man, I was hoping for a Jar-Jar Binks movie… 🙁
Hang in there. Jar Jar fans will have their day 😉
Actually, we get Jar Jar movies all the time. Problem is we flush the toilet.
Could this movie be a prequel movie like a first attempt to destroy the Death Star. Or during the TFA era.
Or maybe a year or so after ROTJ!
Where they just battle remnnants or cells from the Empire trying to regroup after the defeat at the battle of Endor!
Seems to me that since the ST movies are based on the Empire having continued to be a nagging problem following the death of Vader and the Emperor, if this is indeed a movie about Rogue Squadron, it could take place at any time over the 30-year span between ROTJ and TFA, and deal with attempts to mop up the Imperials.
Which sounds fantastic to me! ;^)
Sounds fantastic to me as well… something tells me the Empire will be a tad more than just a nagging problem though!
At last, some real news.
According to ESB, Rogue 2 is Zev Senesca. Being that Rogue Squadron was founded by Luke, does that make him Rogue 1? Or is he Rogue Leader, with Wedge being 1 ?
Anyhoo, who’s up for Felicity Jones as Pink 5 🙂
“Rogue Squadron, where’s our cover!?”
happy no boba fett movie
Oh thank the Maker the first spinoff *seems* not to be the rumored Boba Fett movie! Rogue Squadron could take place in the new timeline too. Sounds good. Also isnt that from Legends?
The German site was wrong. Makes me wonder about the VII rumors even more now. I bet 8 gets pushed back to winter eventually. This type of scheduling is to make other companies balk at moving their films too. Kind of bait & switch we all know for so long now.
I doubt it will get pushed back. Star Wars belongs in May. This is there way of pushing forward. Disney is a MONSTER of a company and they’ll probably even push other companies to stay away from it. May 26, 2017 is it’s resting place for sure.
I had a feeling from the first time I heard that VII was being released in December that Disney would then revert to May openings for VIII & IX (fingers crossed for IX in May of 2019). Being from Canada, I’m happy as heck about VIII’s release date, as a December release for any SW movie means I’ll be freezing my Spaceballs off waiting in line in my Jedi robes in -40C.
What about The Avengers: Infinity War – Part II releasing May 3rd 2019? Would that be too close to IX having a late May release date or not?
Of course because release dates for other movies in human history have always come out on time without any unscheduled delays.
Of course not. The thing is Star Wars has never been one of those movies that has shifted. This will be the same scenario. May 26, 2017 Star Wars Episode VIII will be released. The Fantastic Four sequel has already dropped back a week. More could as well.
LOL Gary Big Mouth Whitta not even mentioned!! He really made a huge impression, huh? He can go back to wherever it was he came from.
I’m pretty sure they’re going to use most of what he wrote.
Well as long as you’re pretty sure that seals it! Is this insider info? Looks like they rewrote his draft as soon as he hit the parking lot.
He said in a twitter post that he was
the one to name the movie Rogue One.
Gary did the first draft, Chris was brought in to fix it up.
Could the rumored titles have been released in reverse order from their initial lineup:
Red 5 rumored working title, real title: Rogue One
Boba Fett rumored working title, real title: ?
Han Solo, rumored working title, real title: ?
Boba/Han could still tie into the first 2 films. I’d like to think a certain someone on Twitter was right. His GB scoop the other day was bombshell.
FAN FICTION.
Simply more fan fiction.
You know, that dead horse you’re beating is starting to turn into soup.
Good! He better eat it before it turns into glue.
Yeah, who wants starfighter battles and un-Star-Wars-ey crapola like that.
Give us more of the real thing, dammit!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZSiRYDtT9M
Best scene 10/10, would watch over Tie fighter attack on the Millennium Falcon in ANH. Star Wars doesn’t need space battles, only true emotion.
Right. True emotion.
And then, on the flip side, there’s the fireplace scene.
(Oy…) ;^)
LMAO
Oopsie. Sorry ….
http://youtu.be/qJlbPXZEpRE
The sad thing is, this isn’t even close to the worst dialogue in the PT.
There are scenes in Ep. III that are worse.
How is VIII coming sooner when we think?
Didn’t Disney say from the beginning [2012]
that starting in 2015, there’d be a new SW movie every other year?
VII-2015
Rogue-2016
VIII-2017
…
Because it is usually a Two year wait in between Episodes. The evey other year thing was including the spin offs.
Most people thought the December release date was going to become the new norm.
18 months is better than 24.
Star wars is gonna be making a whole lot of movies and maybe more animation series in the future. I hope this kind of thing helps stimulate more competition in sci-fi film making and help raise it to a respectable level again. Star wars is increasing its market share a lot more. Maybe this will inspire other writer/producers directors etc to be more bold and come forward to release more sci-fi films. New ideas or resurrect old ideas. There are writers/directors etc that are not gonna be too pleased with star wars taking all the lime light. There should be a renaissance in sci-fi film making cause its been dead for years. Unless you like tom cruise.
No one likes Tom Cruise and Star Wars is not sci-fi which is why it isn’t boring.
A lot of people like Tom Cruise.
I did not know that, my bad.
Edge of Tomorrow was BTW A GREAT FILM, even if the name sucks.
Tom Cruise’s best role in years, and this is coming from a guy who loves star wars and hates mission impossible.
Edge of Tomorrow aka Live Die Repeat really made the concept of repetition work. With the repetition curse of Groundhogs Day, but substitute Puxsutawney with Alien-Occupied France with Tom Cruise playing a Jerry MacGuire-esque fish-out-of-water asshole, and that’s just the first 20 minutes before the REAL plot starts, also the romance plot-line is spot-on and gives the film real depth and stakes, which sadly is more than can be said for Ani and Padme. If you wanna use a sci-fi film as a punchline, look elsewhere.
A lot of people don’t like Tom Cruise.
I don’t like Tom Cruise either, that’s why I like Jerry MacGuire, tropic thunder, and Edge of Tomorrow, because those films make Tom Cruise decidedly NOT likeable. I don’t like tom but he can be a good actor if he’s given a real role to work with.
Star Wars is considered Soft Scifi (as opposed to Hard.) So yeah, it qualifies as Science Fiction. That template is rather large and can contain many variations.
Sci fantasy.
For those who complain about first spin off not being about Boba Fett.
I bet you in the times of Rogue one Boba Fett was there.
So A film with xwings and Boba Fett.
Why you make a movie with only xwings if you can put on it whatever you want.
Everybody happy.
They don’t need to shoehorn in Boba into a movie most likely taking place after ROTJ. IF Boba survived the Sarlac who’s to say that he’ll be interested in going after a X-Wing figher jockey group when he has more pressing matters to turn to.
Rogue one it seems more set in A new hope era for me
Nah, I think it will go post ROTJ maybe even TFA to tie things together for the new trilogy.
Damn, JJ/Mouse/Lucarts did a helluva job misdirecting rumors toward a Fett film, makes you wonder concerning so-called leaks for the main SW movies.
My opinion is that the title probably confirms the spin-off will be set in the current time frame of the sequels not post Jedi or pre-NH.
Why go back? They want the new films geared to a new young audience as well as the older generations of fans. The best of both worlds, a new generation of heroes but with the trappings of familiarity for the older crowd.
I mean think of the expense to go and recreate older models, sets, ships, wardrobes; the best use of their Disney $ is to utilize all the current productions assets for both SW7-9 and the spin-offs, which makes since.
Furthermore this to me indicates the Bounty Hunter film will be set concurrently and use a new generation Fett with new hunters. Why remine old characters for a new generation.
The Solo film could concern a Solo child, but I myself am concerned about an Obi-Wan film, Ewan is just too awesome and his character is ranked at the top in terms of fan fav. A low buget film set mostly on Tatooine is an option, but so could an option of having Ewan reprise his role but as the bastard son or grandson. The former a love child with Ventress the latter means a 55ish yr old Alec gets some.
Just bought rogueonenewsDOTcom if you guys want it. Will swap for a link on your site. Give me a mail to contact you. Cheers guys.
It’ll be interesting to see what Gareth does if it is in fact all about star fighter squadrons!
There’s a joke about a dog fight only appearing in the background towards the end of the film in there somewhere but I wont be that guy!
I’m just so excited about all this!
Yawn……..
Give us a bloody Yoda backstory, a Qui Gon backstory, Mace windu, palpatine, Bobba fett… There’s so many interesting characters in Star Wars that deserve a backstory which the fans would like to know..
This choice is irrelvant… And adds no extra substance to the current story.
God I would have love to have seen Yodas story!
It does add something, and that is a lot bigger budget, resource and production crews devoted toward a totally separate film.
Remember, new ships would have to be created, older ones recreated, new sets built, old sets mimicking the OT world built, currents sets used for SW7-9 redone for spin-offs then reconfigured back to their original design. Old costumes from OT created again, old aliens recreated. Then you hit the problem of availability There is a finite space of Sound Stage space, plus there are others filmms, such as Spectre shooting at Pinewood.
Then there are the production crews, art, costuming, makeup, special effects, etc. The current format of SW7, 8 and 9 in 2 year gaps, precludes them from working on the spin-offs, unless most of the same sets, costumes, models, cgi ships etc can be used also. Otherwise, for a spin-off to be set 30 years earlier or even before a NH, would require a completely separate staff to facilitate it’s creation, including separate Studio Sound Stages.
We don’t need the spinoffs to be about origin stories for jedi characters. Even Yoda for that matter. I’d rather they either leave that alone or tell it in a comic or novel. Same for Mace and Palpatine. The only character that you mentioned that I can see being involved in a future spin off would be Boba Fett. That said, to say that this is irrelevant is slightly missing the point. This could be a movie that bridges the gap between ROTJ and TFA. It’s a missing puzzle piece. A Yoda story set in his long past is irrelevant. As would be Mace or the Emperor. Heck, even Boba would be a waste if it’s just about him in my opinion.
The fact is, Rogue One has so much potential especially if the lead is going to be Felicity. Rogue Squadron’s leader is going to be female! Impressive. Yeah, that’s not irrelevant.
Origin Stories need to go away.
Spiderman franchise, do we need any more renditions of spider bites?
Wedge’s back story…a bore.
From the Adventures of Biggs Darklighter…yawn.
Have we not learned our lessons of Prequels and tales thereof preconceived notions.
Comics do these storylines to death.
New character Arch’s with new missions and a few surprise cameoed or old character sub stories interwoven are fine.
A Palpatine Prequel I’ve dreamed of, but I learned from The Vader back story, it was better in my head than could ever be put on screen.
Boba Fett had the start of an origin story.
It was useless.
I’m excited that Star Wars will be back on the week before Memorial Day weekend where it belongs! I wish Episode 8 were being released on Wed., May 24th instead of Friday the 26th so it would be in keeping with the release dates of the original Trilogy but it’s still a BIG improvement over December! And it’s nice that we’ll probably be able to catch early screenings of it ON Star Wars actual 40th birthday!
And this means the time between Episodes is less than a year and a half for these first two, less than half the traditional three years that we used to always have to endure. I sure do hope that’s enough time for them to do it right, especially with the off-shoot “Rogue Squadron” film stuck in between!
Imagine! We’ll be seeing three new Star Wars films in just over two years! Amazing!
MTFBWY!
Alan
This is great news that they actually went with one of the more underrated threads of the SWiverse. It shows that they are actually worried about what FANS want. If they were cash grabbing they would take Fett in a heartbeat.
The decision to use Rogue makes me think “hey! they actually want to make a GOOD MOVIE! hallelujah!”
yeah I’m there. Can’t wait to see if this actually works out. Boba Fett can wait, he needs a proper entrance. the tone has to be right.
Also, Denis Lawson is THE most underrated actor/character of the OT. He really was our familiar relatable ambassador to the other pilots.
Face it, we needed his familiar face [particularly his awesome eyebrows] there shouting out information to Ackbar and Lando in ROTJ to ease us into the Non-Luke space battle. Without him there we wouldn’t get the impression that Luke actually gives a shit about the pilots in the battle going on when he looks out the window.
That said, if Lawson has other things he’d rather do, THEY REALLY SHOULD LEAVE WEDGE ALONE and FIND A NEW CHARACTER. [enter Ms. Jones]
PS. Ackbar has got to be involved – agreed?
Agreed
Two people have already played Wedge in the first movie anyways. I say recast and be done with it.
Yeah, but nobody pays attention to the hangar sequences. The point is it’s Denis Lawson’s Wedge that we all love and associate with, it’s either: Lawson’s eyebrows stay – or – get a new character.
Whether it’s noticed or not he has been played by two people and his voice is even dubbed over regardless. The actor isn’t above the character. Recast away and move forward for the franchises sake.
Wasn’t the name announced like last year in a rumor? The rumor that supposedly announced all the films from 2015 all the way to 2020?……HOLY F*** THEN BOBA FETT AND HAN SOLO ARE GETTING MOVIES !!!!!!!!!! YEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wonder who Felicity Jones plays, she is the main star after all, Wedge’s daughter?, Kanan/Hera child? Cool, someone photoshop Ms Jones with green skin tone. I say this because there will more than likely be ties between the new trilogy, Rebels, spin-offs and of course Clone Wars.
Wonder if Rogue Squadron will have there own special attack fighters. Red and Blue are obviously in SW7. Perhaps they will have a shout out or some brief scene setting up the events for the spin-off. Many rumors have suggested the first three spin-offs will contain an over arching story which will tie all three together, I guess the final one concludes this primary story line.
She looks like Leia. All the girls who auditioned for her role looked like Leia.
Pinewood gonna be busy this ear, Spectre wrapping by May, Then Rogue One (June-Sept?)
Of course the biggie, SW8 (Oct/Nov?) with the release date moved to May 2017, they have to begin filming this fall sometime. This must mean they anticipate the scripts completion by early summer. They have to scout filming locations, cast any additional actors and begin construction on new sets needed.
Dam busters in space? Top Gun in space? Memphis Belle in space? Firefox in space? Blue Thunder in space? Something to do with flying in space anyway. Can’t wait!
Oh! Just realized Lego sequel also slated for May 26, 2017, which studio will blink first?
Hmmm. I wonder which one I would rather see… I mean, Lego Movie was decent and all, but comparing it to star wars is like comparing a sniper rifle to a nuclear bomb.
Star Wars is the A-Bomb of cinema. Nothing else stands a chance.
Interesting over at iFIlm, apparently a concept art image shown to investors at the meeting had nothing to do with Rogue Squadron, but instead had a group of heavily armored, green camo soldiers with SW weaponry and vehicles assaulting someplace. The setting appeared to be heavily forested.
Could the films title deviously refer to the name of an operation or commando group call sign, maybe its about Bounty Hunters after all.
The official twitter page for the movie has a picture up of x-wings and y-wings in formation. It’s definitely a fighter squadron movie. That said they won’t be in space all the time. It’ll probably be a fighter jockey movie who also does black ops things ala: Rogue Squadron/Wraith Squadron. These fighters will get their hands dirty.
So much Star Wars…so much time to go…everyone talking about being safe and stuff….lets hope WW3 dosn’t happen till AFTER Ep.9 and the last spin off…..
WWIII already happened, we just claimed it was “Cold”.
I’m sure if WWIV happened they’d still be making Star Wars films.
Star Wars Episode VIIi: The Force Awakens II
So because the word “Rogue” is in the title this means that the story is based off of the RS video game? Jesus Christ you are all a bunch of terrible fans.
So a star wars movie comes out called Rogue One and you don’t think it’s a call sign? Seriously? Rogue (a name star wars fans should know IE: Rogue Squadron) One (leader) Yeah it’s a fighter group movie. They even mention it on twitter. This is a no brainer.
Has a female lead (Felicity Jones) – Mon Mothma is Rogue One.
She was not a pilot.
Maybe the title is Disney’s attempt at tongue and cheek. Everyone assumes Rogue One is a Rebel Unit but what if Disney used this to throw off the hardcore geekdom. Rogue One to me sounds like a person who actually goes…Rogue. Jedi leaving the Order? Or quite possibly…a Dark Force User coming to the light. My friends, I am convinced that Felicity Jones is playing Mara Jade, who if you look at her biography, went rogue from the Empire after the death of Palpatine. Ponder this I will.
I would be more inclined to believe you if the official twitter page didn’t have X-wings as it’s header image.
people are bummed about this??? a frigging movie that may feature x wing fighters and space combat and pilots etc etc… HELL YES BRING IT ON!! gonna be FUN!! with todays visuals holy crap this could be awesome. just silly excited
Think about it people..There’s no way this is going to take place in a diffferent timeline to the ST. There are 3 main reasons,
1. Shared Assets from the ST will keep budgets down
2. Ordinary moviegoers will be confused if the spin offs jump around differnt eras
3. The story will feed into & enhance the overall narrative arc of the ST..much like the Marvel movies inform each other.
My question is why does it take 2 years for an Episode movie, but a spin off takes 1? Logistically it doesn’t make sense to me. Both movies can’t just reuse the same props. Although I’m sure things like Stormtrooper armor and some of the blasters will be reused, but I would think the bulk of the work would be the same.
There are a lot of Star Wars pages today trying to get this Rogue One petition signed. Seems like a cool idea to tie the franchise together.
https://www.facebook.com/BombadRadio/posts/689352097842096
MTFBWY!
I hope we see some fuckin’ kick ass flying from the Rouges. Someone mentioned earlier: Top Gun in the Star Wars univers… now that gives me wood. (No beach volleyball though lol). I envision this to be one roller coaster of a movie. I hope we all walk out the cinema in 2016 and say “wow, that was some other shit right there” (in a good way)
At a Comic-Con in the late 90’s I Happened upon a booth of rebel pilots and asked them who was the BEST X-WING PILOT EVER. After a long quiet confused moment of puzzled silence, I proudly proclaimed…
… WEDGE!!
Well I guess this latest announcement with the official twitter account image being X-Wings points to Rogue One being about that famous fictitious fighter squadron.
I just felt a great disturbance in my thoughts.
Because I remembered Lucas’s swansong for the movie world (followed by ragequit when the film critics and TPM haters once again did not understand his vision), Red Tails. Let’s hope Rogue One does not try to follow that “example” in any way.
This could be Red Tails with X-Wings for all anyone knows. Grapevine or popular opinion poll here puts it in the immediate post-ROTJ era. I’m not against exploring the ST era but the standalone should be just that standalone and not having anything to do with the current trilogy being produced on the big screen. Books, comics, and animated shows/movies can fill in the blanks adaquately.
We have the opportunity to look at other eras in SW history rather than be bogged down by the sequels. But the kool-aid drinkers want more new, and less old or something (confused) while the prequel kool-aid drinks say “never forget Amidawa”. And hard-kore SW ultra-nerds hate on everyone else and think their opinion matters above all the others “OT diehards” included. “Hey I got a script”..or something. (even more confused)
Michael Stackpole did a great job on the X-wing Series books. Yet, since Disney no longer thinks those are canon, I bet the spin-off movie is going to be a huge rip-off of that series.
Pardon me, but that “official” Rouge One Twitter account does not seem official at all. It most likely is not.
To start with, the account was created May 2011. In addition, the image used by the account is a still from the Battle of Yavin.
Yes, you’re right. For some reason I was misled. This is not the official Twitter of the spin-off.