POLL: Should Rogue One Use an Opening Crawl?

rogue one 09Last week, during EW’s coverage on Rogue One, one particular comment by LFL’s President Kathleen Kennedy stood out compared to the rest of the info revealed about the movie’s reshoots. Kennedy revealed that even now they are not certain about some aspects of the stand alone movies that are supposed to differentiate them from the saga films. We decided to ask the fans and see their opinions about one of them – the opening crawl. Who knows, maybe the results will be helpful in deciding which way to go. Please vote in the poll after the jump…

 

 

Here’s what Kathleen Kennedy said to EW last week:

Another thing they’re grappling with, Kennedy says, (and it has nothing to do with the reshoots) is whether Rogue One should incorporate some of the standard tropes of a Star Wars film, like an opening crawl, or whether it should distance itself stylistically from the “saga” trilogy films.

“We talk about that all the time. It’s something that we’re right in the midst of discussing even now, so I don’t want to say definitively what we’re doing,” she said. “The crawl and some of those elements live so specifically within the ‘saga’ films that we are having a lot of discussion about what will define the [stand-alone] Star Wars Stories separate and apart from the saga films. So we’re right in the middle of talking about that.”

 

Opening

 

The opening crawl is the signature of the Star Wars Saga films, but should the stand alone movies use it as well? For example the TV shows The Clone Wars and Rebels never used an opening crawl. Let’s see what the fans think on that matter. Perhaps we might help with the decision, although not always what fans want is the right thing. Please cast your vote in the poll below. Keep in mind that the idea of the poll is to determine if you want the stand alone movies to have a crawl or not. It’s not about your prediction what they will choose.

 

 

[socialpoll id=”2370913″]

 

 

Here’s what SWNN’s Jordan Pate (Hard Case) thinks on this matter:

I don’t really care either way. If it doesn’t have one I don’t think it will hurt the film. But I think it should, and here’s why…

While it is true that Rebels and several novels don’t include a “crawl” element, most Star Wars media does. Most novels at least include the “A long time ago…” bit at the beginning. Every Marvel comic so far has used the crawl format for its introduction in every issue across all SW titles. And while Clone Wars didn’t use one, the opening narration for each episode by Tom Kane served as a crawl. If you listen to it, it basically reads just like an opening crawl would. They use the narration rather than a crawl so that they can set the story up visually as well. I think a crawl in a 22 minute episode would take up too much screen time, thus you have the narration. But it still serves the same purpose.

 

Comic Crawl
I don’t think its a must, but in my opinion, at least every film should do an opening crawl. If the other media is mimicking it, its an important device, even if it ends up being solely for nostalgia and getting the audience in the SW mood.

 

What about you? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

 

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Val Trichkov (Viral Hide)

Founder of SWNN, MNN and The Cantina forums.Born on April 24, 1980.

143 thoughts on “POLL: Should Rogue One Use an Opening Crawl?

  • June 28, 2016 at 7:58 pm
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    I don’t think it’s essential. I think what is essential is that Rogue One establishes a “language” for the standalone movies that is consistent with but distinct from the saga movies. The movie is using a different composer and possibly changing the style of the opening. There are other stylistic things like the famous wipes between scenes which The Force Awakens carried on from the previous 6 movies — should Rogue One use those?

    I’ll be interested to see the direction it goes. I think I’d like something pretty distinct as it would be a sign that Lucasfilm is prepared to take some risks with the standalone movies. At the same time if “different” means “the same as all other 21st century action movies” then I’d probably rather they stuck with the classic Star Wars style.

  • June 28, 2016 at 7:59 pm
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    I’m against it — not because it would bother me, per se, but because the stand alone films do need something to separate them from the saga episodes.

    Alternatively, a Clone Wars-style opening could be REALLY fitting and cool.

  • June 28, 2016 at 8:00 pm
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    It will probably start with a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away and then fade right into some sort of opening battle where Jyn Erso gets apprehended by the Rebellion

  • June 28, 2016 at 8:01 pm
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    No crawl and no “Star Wars” theme music, please. This is not the Skywalker Saga. The standalones need to feel distinct.

  • June 28, 2016 at 8:04 pm
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    Keep the crawl, change the color. Problem solved.

  • June 28, 2016 at 8:16 pm
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    No crawl, as Jordan Pate said, other media mimics what the saga movies do, and this is because they need to make it feel more like the movies, but this a movie already, It must have its own way, its own style, its own identity, juste like the clone wars did.

    How?, i dont know, but it is the perfect oportunity to make something new and original, and when you start to see a movie of this you can know clearly that this is a Star Wars Story movie, and not a saga movie.

    • June 28, 2016 at 8:23 pm
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      The title of the crawl can be Rogue One with A Star Wars story placed below instead of the episode number and you know its not a saga movie without having to eliminate an iconic Star Wars moment that no other film franchise has.

      • June 28, 2016 at 8:43 pm
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        I think the best way is to make something unique, maybe similar in some ways, but different at first sight. Star wars story movies are different from the saga, the logical thing is to have its own opening, I don’t see it as a bad thing, this a good thing.

        • June 28, 2016 at 8:52 pm
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          Its a Star Wars film, it should have the opening crawl that is unique to this franchise. The difference should be between the credits in the unique styles and stories they can tell with different filmmakers.

  • June 28, 2016 at 8:21 pm
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    I think a crawl is essential star wars material and should be included in every film, episode moniker or otherwise. In between the credits is where the film should show its uniqueness. How its different from other star wars experiences will come out in the filmmakers style and the story being told. I want the film to kick off with a Iconic Star Wars music and an opening crawl and I want the film to end with iconic Star Wars music and credits.

  • June 28, 2016 at 8:23 pm
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    Yes.

    Just make it a good movie.

  • June 28, 2016 at 8:24 pm
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    It doesn’t have to have an opening crawl necessarily but these standalone movies will need something to indicate where in the timeline they take place to the general audience.

    We all know it’s right before Episode IV, but that’s not true for a lot of people. The general movie going audience needs something at the beginning to let them know this is prior to the first (or fourth) movie and not part of the force awakens story.

    This can be an opening crawl or some kind of alternative or voice over.

  • June 28, 2016 at 8:25 pm
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    All other Star Wars media have opening crawls so yes. Will also help establish the point in the timeline just in case people wander in confused.

    • June 29, 2016 at 1:11 am
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      Really, does Clone Wars and Rebels? No!

      • June 29, 2016 at 2:56 am
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        To be fair those are TV shows and that would be redundant if each weekly episode had a designated crawl. Not a lot to set up there.

        • June 29, 2016 at 4:04 am
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          The Clone Wars movie had no crawl as well.

          • June 29, 2016 at 5:20 am
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            Which was a glorified pilot episode for a tv show that got a theatrical release.

  • June 28, 2016 at 8:28 pm
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    More importantly. How will they handle the intro/crawl of Episode VIII.

    • June 28, 2016 at 9:08 pm
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      With same scrolling yellow text as the previous 7.

  • June 28, 2016 at 8:32 pm
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    I don’t think it should have one. It limits the style of the openings, and I think the standalone films should be free to experiment. Furthermore, seeing the opening crawl in the saga films will feel more special this way.

  • June 28, 2016 at 8:39 pm
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    I’ve been very in between on this subject. On one hand, I feel that the crawl/music should be exclusive to the episodic films. On the other hand, it will feel downright weird to watch a Star Wars film without it. Plus that crawl always produces unbridled excitement leading up to the first scene. If they don’t include a crawl, that first scene has to kick ass.

  • June 28, 2016 at 8:40 pm
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    It is Sta Wars. It has to start with opening crawl and the Star Wars theme. Every videogame has it, no mater the story or Skywalker involved. It’s a trade mark of everything Star Wars. The tv show doesn’t have it becaue it’s too long for a tv episode. I suggest use different approach for he Han Solo oigin. Everythng ese should have the classical intro.

    • June 28, 2016 at 8:47 pm
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      All other star wars media emulates or mimics what movies do, to make you feel it more close to the movies, i understand that, but this is already a movie they don’t need to do anything to make it feel like a movie, because it is, so, they should do something different, something special to the SW story movies.

      • June 29, 2016 at 12:50 am
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        And why is that exactly? 🙂 Why everything else should have the opening crawl and main music but this movie? I understand there are extremely dumb people around the globe who could feel confused and asking themselves why there is a new Death Star and some Vader clone and why they can´t find Luke (again)….but I truly believe that some of us who can read and maybe count up to five would figure it out, especially if it starts with A STAR WARS STORY with no episode number and the opening crawl explains the time and place of the events….

        • June 29, 2016 at 7:13 am
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          I understand you point, but i find perfectly natural that all the movies under “A Star Wars Story” have a particular Signature, its own mark, I think it is more about identity than other thing, I supose all of them will have the “a long time ago, in a…” as all star wars media. But If you hear in your mind “A star wars story” you know it is about that other part from star wars where you can watch stories about other characters ( no the skywalker ) and it is a nice touch that this part have its own identity.

          This doesn’t mean the new opening will not be epic, or iconic, it will be still Star Wars, and I’m sure it will be awesome, another side from Star Wars.

          Star Wars is a big big place, we can see it as a big house 🙂 and you have a room for the Saga movies, and now you have new movies, not about the saga but still star wars movies, why you want to have them all in one single room if you have a big big place, the Star Wars Story movies can have its own room, why not?

          Thats a way to see it 🙂

      • June 29, 2016 at 1:10 am
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        The Clone Wars and Rebels don’t, so that point can be dismissed.

  • June 28, 2016 at 8:41 pm
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    Crawl with red text instead of yellow! That sound be could and different, but still the same in some sense

  • June 28, 2016 at 8:50 pm
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    YES! Although I would approve some “innovations” like prologue / pre-sequence before the crawl and post credits scene. But still, I cannot imagine it without a crawl.

  • June 28, 2016 at 9:01 pm
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    Am I the only one who thinks they should get Tom Kane to read the intro in his Wullf Yularen voice?

  • June 28, 2016 at 9:04 pm
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    While I think star wars saga episodes MUST have opening crawls, I don’t think Rogue One needs any. We really don’t need a setup, as we know the setting. This is also an issue with episode VIII, as it starts right after episode VII. I mean, what would you put in that film’s opening crawl that we don’t know? Still episode VIII needs an opening crawl. Rogue one doesn’t.

  • June 28, 2016 at 9:05 pm
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    I’ve always hated the argument that something should be a certain way only because it’s always been that way. Not having a crawl might feel weird at first, but it will allow for many new creative openings.

  • June 28, 2016 at 9:07 pm
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    I’m only for the crawl if “a star wars story” is left out of the crawl itself… because that phrase drives me nuts.

    So I didn’t vote in the poll.

    If it just says “STAR WARS/ ROGUE ONE” then hell yes. Otherwise… straight to the action after the Lucasfilm Logo.

    • June 28, 2016 at 10:20 pm
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      With you there 100%. “A Star Wars Story” sounds soooo kiddie & Disneyfied. “Star Wars Anthology – Rogue One” would also work to keep it separate from the Saga movies and sound grown up. The fact so many people still say “Anthology…or whatever they’re call it now” shows that A Star Wars Story is such a dud phrase.

  • June 28, 2016 at 9:07 pm
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    No crawl. These movies should be stylistically diverse and not feel the need to conform to a set checklist of Star Wars conventions. Make them different from the episodic formula. People keep bitching about the lack of innovation and new territory in the new Star Wars. The least they could do to change that is to make the spinoff movies look distinctively different from the episodes.

  • June 28, 2016 at 9:11 pm
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    I am surprised that so many voted Yes.
    Having no opening crawl but something else for the Anthology movies would give them something new and unique. Which could ultimately become just as iconic as the opening crawl.

    Be a bit more open for change people, you might like it!

  • June 28, 2016 at 9:13 pm
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    I’d like to see it because A long time ago…. and the crawl are so iconic to Star Wars, plus the crawl will help those viewers confused that they aren’t seeing the Skywalkers’ latest episode. That being said, I trust Kathleen Kennedy and Lucasfilm to make Rogue One work either with or without the crawl.

  • June 28, 2016 at 9:14 pm
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    I can’t believe people are even discussing this. Of course you have the opening crawl. You want to give the movie a different feel then do it, that doesn’t have to involve the opening crawl. It seems like a cheap way to make the anthology films stand out. They are still part of the story and they are still cannon. Change the freaking type color or something. No opening crawl indeed, preposterous.

  • June 28, 2016 at 9:17 pm
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    Yes. Lucasfilm logo, A long time ago, Star Wars and the crawl.
    No typical movie credits at the start, just start it like the other Star Wars films. I think I’d be really disappointed if it started any differently.

  • June 28, 2016 at 9:19 pm
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    Saga films have Episode X and the story films have the name of the story name. Crawl sticks.

    Simple

    • June 28, 2016 at 10:11 pm
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      episode X is very well a posibility ahaha dont call it they will answer
      Episode ten that is

      • June 28, 2016 at 10:57 pm
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        If Rey turns at the end of IX and they’re like surprise motha fakas and we get X,XI, and XII with Rey as the main antagonist then that’d be a huge “say whaaaaat” moment lol http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yqyixwqiCag

  • June 28, 2016 at 9:31 pm
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    Lets not forget the purpose of the opening crawl – to set the stage for the movie! It puts you right in the thick of the situation so it doesn’t have to be creatively explained through lame dialogue. Opening crawl for sure!

  • June 28, 2016 at 9:41 pm
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    It’s basically Episode 3 1/2 so yes, it should have one. It will have Darth Vader in it, it’s part of the saga more than the Han Solo movie will be.

  • June 28, 2016 at 9:56 pm
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    There will be no episode number, but I think a crawl is good. Some background info is always nice, and this time they will need to make it clear to the most naive that they are NOT about to watch the sequel to The Force Awakens!

    • June 29, 2016 at 7:43 am
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      One is a number. It comes after zero.

  • June 28, 2016 at 10:12 pm
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    yes for crawl. Lucas always wanted these movies to seem like we, the audience, is being brought in in the middle of the action. The crawl is bringing us up to speed on “last week’s episode.” Remember, Lucas envisioned his movies to be weekly serials. I think the stand alone films should be included in this, and not just the Skywalker story. If they ever did a KOTOR movie, that would need an opening crawl. If they ever did a Yoda movie taking place 700 year prior to Ep I, that would need an opening crawl. If they ever did a Boba Fett movie that takes place b/w IV-VI, that would need an opening crawl to explain what has gone on before (ie, Boba Fett has delivered Han Solo, frozen in carbonite, to Jabba the Hutt). Set the precedent up front, as some stand alone films will inevitably need a few sentences of back story to bring us up to speed.

    • June 28, 2016 at 10:19 pm
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      Exactly my sentiments!

  • June 28, 2016 at 10:28 pm
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    I’ve gone back and forth on this. At first I was thinking yes it has to have one, it’s a Star Wars movie. But then I was thinking about the other two stand alone movies. I can think of what the Rogue One crawl could be but would we need one to set up a young Han Solo movie, or whatever the third one is (is it Boba Fett?). The other movies seem to be based upon events so they need some setup, as opposed to movies based upon individuals. So that made me think no, we don’t need one, let the stand alones be something different (still needs a long time ago….). And then I went back the other way. A New Hope had one that set up this brand new story we had never seen before. It set the stage. So maybe the second and third would be something similar to that one.

  • June 28, 2016 at 10:46 pm
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    I wouldn’t mind as long as the movie is good. The saga stories should always have the crawl though. If Rouge One has the crawl it is all for the better.

  • June 28, 2016 at 10:48 pm
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    Defo it should start with “A long time ago…in a galaxy far, far away”….but maybe the title and crawl be in silver or blue to differentiate

  • June 28, 2016 at 10:57 pm
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    It’s not a requirement. Even the clone wars show deviated from that and used a saying in place of a crawl. I’d be up for a context appropriate saying in that style.

  • June 28, 2016 at 11:09 pm
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    An opening crawl is ESSENTIAL to the feel, aura, and narrative of a Star Wars Film. Period.

  • June 28, 2016 at 11:14 pm
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    I’m kind of expecting the movie to begin with a quote.

  • June 28, 2016 at 11:42 pm
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    Does anyone not realize that this isn’t the first Stand Alone movie that LucasFilm has done? As you can see, George himself decided against the opening crawl when he made this (please don’t go past the opening credits to see my point, your eyes might melt):
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIpbyhjxeAM

    • June 29, 2016 at 8:12 am
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      Instead of a crawl for this, it could’ve faded up on “G’morning! I’m Wilford Brimley, and I’d like to talk to you for a few minutes about Ewok Beetus…”

  • June 28, 2016 at 11:50 pm
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    I’m personally fine either way. If there is a crawl, I would like something to help quickly show that it isn’t a Saga film. I saw one person do a mock-up where the text is blue instead of yellow, which could work.

    • June 28, 2016 at 11:56 pm
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      Same here…

  • June 28, 2016 at 11:54 pm
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    I think they should do what The Clone Wars and REBELS do… just have “Long ago, in a galaxy far, far away…”

    • June 29, 2016 at 12:01 am
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      This. It’s a familiar intro, without dictating the style of what immediately follows. I think the opening crawl should be particular to the saga films. It’s a good method of differentiation.

    • June 29, 2016 at 2:39 am
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      I like that too. Damn it this is hard. How long do we have to make a decision?

  • June 29, 2016 at 12:04 am
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    No crawl. It’s a sign of poor storytelling anyway.

  • June 29, 2016 at 12:08 am
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    No opening crawl. Instead, a short introduction read by someone sitting in a recliner and smoking a pipe.

    Hell yes it should have an opening crawl, it’s a Star Wars movie! And who cares if the gd cartoons didn’t have the crawl, they’re gd cartoons.

  • June 29, 2016 at 12:13 am
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    I’m so torn on this. I’d probably be happy either way.

    I remember, all the way up until the minute The Force Awakens started, I was scared to death that they would either abandon the crawl altogether or leave out the “Episode VII” text. The relief I felt when it finally all showed up was so huge.

    For Rogue One, though, it’s NOT an episode. Nobody’s expecting an “Episode III.5” in the text, if there even is text. I trust Lucasfilm to make the best decision – because whatever it is, it will be the cornerstone for future spinoffs.

    • June 29, 2016 at 5:27 am
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      If we were expecting it however, I think it would actually be “Episode III.V” 🙂

  • June 29, 2016 at 12:15 am
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    Yes, they should have an opening crawl.

  • June 29, 2016 at 12:16 am
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    Lot of anger over something pretty trivial, but, eh, “no crawl”. The whole point of the crawl was to make SW feel like the latest episode of a serial that the audience is walking in to having missed the previous installments of. The device is therefore specifically tied to the episodic nature of the saga films. These aren’t saga films, so not episodic in nature, so I think the crawl isn’t necessary or warranted.

  • June 29, 2016 at 12:35 am
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    Okay I think the Star Wars Story films DO need crawls but the crawls themselves can be distinctly different from the episodic saga crawls. Like the text can be blue or green or a different shade for each of the stand alone films.

    The crawl is so specifically Star Wars that I feel like it would be weird to disclude it just to make the movies feel different when the crawls could be changed in a simple way to differentiate the movies.

    BUT regardless what they decide they should include the sentence from the original crawl that this movie is based on. “During the battle, Rebel Spies stole the plans to a super weapon with enough power to destroy an entire planet.” It was something along those lines anyway. This was how the movie was pitched to Kathleen Kenedy and I firmly believe it must be in some sort of opening crawl sequence for Rogue One. And if they do it for Rogue One it would be odd not to do it for the others so just change the color or something. Simple, clean & different enough to notice.

    • June 29, 2016 at 12:42 am
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      But that doesn’t make sense to incorporate since the sentence IS the movie. The crawl is the set up.

      • June 29, 2016 at 12:44 am
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        “During the battle, rebel spies managed to successfully steal the plans, but then Jyn got killed in the third act, right before the plans were beamed to Princess Leia. Oh, and Darth Vader had a really cool bit where he pwned the blind buy…”

        • June 29, 2016 at 8:09 am
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          …end of movie. who wants pie?

      • June 29, 2016 at 1:09 am
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        Well I realize the sentence IS the movie but all Star Wars fans already know that. What about casual fans that don’t know that? It’s a war movie, so the mission isn’t a spoiler or anything. The mission and mission’s outcome is already known. It would make sense to include that sentence in the beginning and then include another one that says something like, “this is A Star Wars Story about that band of rebel spies and how they stole the plans for the Death Star.” Boom, simple and straight forward and it also tells all the casual fans that has seen the original movie what’s going on. I feel this is needed in the movie.

        • June 29, 2016 at 2:00 am
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          You want it the crawl to explain what the film is? Do it right. Here’s a quick rough draft:
          “It has been nineteen years since the destruction of the Jedi Order and the rise of the Galactic Empire. A rebellion has formed to overthrow the tyrannical regime and restore freedom to the galaxy. In an attempt to quash this and future rebellions, the Empire has been working on a secret super weapon, one rumored to be able to destroy planets.”
          You get the information out without going into the future. The crawl is the past. It has always been the past. Saying, “During the battle, Rebel Spies stole the plans to a super weapon with enough power to destroy an entire planet,” would just confuse people into thinking the film has already happened.

          • June 29, 2016 at 4:09 am
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            As long as there’s a crawl and they mention the secret super weapon and the rebel spies it’s all good with me

  • June 29, 2016 at 12:41 am
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    Why are you people so close minded? If they don’t put a different title sequence in this movie chances are that you will never, ever see a different Star Wars opening.
    This is an amazing creative opportunity to blast the audience into the movie in a unique way. Aren’t you at least a bit curious what they can come up with?

    I think they should definitely try to develop different title sequences and decide whether or not to use them when they are ready. To make the opening crawl takes less than two hours….

  • June 29, 2016 at 1:12 am
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    No crawl. The Clone Wars film and TV show never needed one. Narration is an appropriate alternative, and helps set it apart from the saga films.

    • June 29, 2016 at 2:37 am
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      Narration is an interesting idea. Two words, Morgan Freeman.

      • June 29, 2016 at 2:46 am
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        More likely Tom Kane.

        • June 29, 2016 at 5:00 am
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          Who also does Morgan Freeman.

          • June 29, 2016 at 5:00 am
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            Not literally though.

          • June 30, 2016 at 6:07 am
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            Ah, fiddlesticks 😐

          • June 29, 2016 at 5:12 am
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            Really?

        • July 1, 2016 at 6:10 am
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          I doubt they would go with that kind of old timey radio narration here.

    • June 30, 2016 at 5:51 am
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      Right, there no crawl, so they had Radio Announcer Guy (Tom Kane) to accomplish the same thing! Besides, the animated pace and style in the CW movie is different (and certainly the CW episodes).
      There are many ways to open a movie, but Star Wars OWNS the space crawl and pan, so why not use it.

      • June 30, 2016 at 6:06 am
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        Like Kennedy said, it helps it stand out and be different. Since the TV shows are technically anthologies as well, why not use the same opening for all spinoffs?

  • June 29, 2016 at 1:17 am
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    Should Rogue One open with the Star Wars theme?

    Isn’t that a similar question?

    • June 29, 2016 at 2:21 am
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      Yeah, that’s a very interesting question considering John Williams isn’t composing the score. Are we going to get a Williams tribute? Seems unlikely given Desplat is an 8 time Oscar nominee — he’s probably more likely to want to make the score his own.

  • June 29, 2016 at 1:18 am
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    It is important that the movie retains some stylistic features of the saga movies. if you stray too far from this you will get to a point where it is just borrowing the name and some characters. The more fake it feels the more it will seem like it could be any space movie. The integration into the saga is the key for it to be a success. There are many more opportunities to explore rather than tampering with the opening crawl in my opinion.

  • June 29, 2016 at 1:45 am
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    If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. This should be the first – or even the ONLY -commandment to anyone related to making movies

  • June 29, 2016 at 1:48 am
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    Considering the stand alone movies will be jumping all over the timeline, a crawl makes perfect sense.

    • June 29, 2016 at 4:59 am
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      I’ll never forget the day when I waited in line for Episode I and someone gushed about how they were looking forward to seeing the adventures of 9 year old Luke Skywalker.

      • June 30, 2016 at 2:05 am
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        I heard that AFTER the movie.

  • June 29, 2016 at 2:03 am
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    I think it should have an opening crawl but not have a familiar ending to it. Let the opening crawl get interrupted by something or change the musics tone as it nears the end to something unfamiliar.

  • June 29, 2016 at 2:10 am
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    It shouldn’t have the crawl.. That’s a way to differentiate the movie from the saga films. Also I can’t imagine the crawl with any other music than the SW main theme, which they won’t use – it doesn’t suit the tone of R1 and the composer will do his own thing.
    Not saying it can’t have A crawl, but I feel like the war news voice over reel from TCW would suit it better.
    The thing every Star Wars movie needs is the “Long time ago in a galaxy far far away”

    • June 29, 2016 at 2:35 am
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      Yep. I agree, especially now that you make the point about the theme song and the “Long time ago in a galaxy far far away.” That we all love and know. In fact, now that you mention it, I strongly agree! It would be all together jarring. Crawl, terrible idea. Start a petition folks!

  • June 29, 2016 at 3:09 am
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    YES! Crawl. Absolutely.

  • June 29, 2016 at 3:10 am
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    It is a Star Wars movie and as such needs the crawl. It is the signature of Star Wars.

  • June 29, 2016 at 3:15 am
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    Are we really that narrow-minded as to insist that nothing can possibly change with these spin-offs? Do something different, for crying out loud!

  • June 29, 2016 at 3:18 am
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    No crawl. Instead, I’d like to see a static page of text like Blade Runner or those old Flash Gordon episodes.

  • June 29, 2016 at 4:21 am
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    a crawl in a different color!

  • June 29, 2016 at 4:55 am
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    I think one of the many reasons the TCW film subconciously left a bad taste in my mouth and almost scared me off the series was due to a lack of crawl.

    As stated above, Including one is nothing new far as the EU stuff goes and soooooo many non-fans are going to be lost not knowing when this film takes place.

    I mean in the US alone, Nearly half the people here can’t name who the current Vice President is and no one’s ever gone broke underestimating the stupidity of the people. Fuck! Look who the nominees are for President – Less orange, less egotistical, less whore mongering, Jabba The Hutt vs less competent, less corrupt, less well-aged, Darth Sidious.

  • June 29, 2016 at 5:37 am
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    Looking at the poll results, 51% (as of the 29/6 in Australia) isn’t as resounding as it looks. Sure, it’s double the other two options – but the no vote is split by the ‘I don’t care, I trust Lucasfilm’ option. If this were a straight yes/no you’d likely get something like 51-55YES/45-49NO.

    Also, the base of samples is a subset demographic – hard-core SW fans. You want to sample the whole market to get an accurate read. If you kept these three options and took it to the streets you’d probably get a lot more ‘I trust Lucasfilm’ responses.

  • June 29, 2016 at 7:21 am
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    Is this meaning Brexit?
    Please Noooooo…
    British please stay with us, we like you!

    (well if we have to pick, we pick scottish first)

  • June 29, 2016 at 7:22 am
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    Ok, but with what theme music?

    • June 29, 2016 at 7:34 am
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      I hope listen Vader theme when he appears.

  • June 29, 2016 at 7:33 am
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    The crawl is the film “Once upon a time” of Star Wars.
    I want it there, it is the signature of Star Wars.
    It can/should be different than the “Skywalker-Kenobi-Solo-Palpatine… Saga”, may be the music or the spirit of the text change so we know is not the same.
    But the crawl is what introduce us in that far far away galaxy.

    • June 29, 2016 at 7:40 am
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      Very true. Ok, crawl with original theme!

  • June 29, 2016 at 7:48 am
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    All Star Wars films should have a crawl and the theme. These standalone films could really benefit from a crawl since it will place the audience and tell them where and when they are.

  • June 29, 2016 at 8:04 am
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    The opening crawl and theme music are essential. It’s all part of the experience.

    Lucasfilm Ltd.
    Fanfare
    A Long Time Ago…
    Star Wars theme
    Crawl
    Music fades out and pans down star field to a planet or ship.

    You can’t tell me that doesn’t give you goosebumps.

    • June 29, 2016 at 9:45 am
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      TFA didn’t include the fanfare before “A long time ago…”, yet it worked just fine.

      • July 1, 2016 at 6:09 am
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        I think he is merely forgetting.

  • June 29, 2016 at 8:47 am
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    No crawl vote for me.

  • June 29, 2016 at 9:16 am
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    Yes, it is a signature feature of he films, and should remain.

  • June 29, 2016 at 9:48 am
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    As you can see more people voted for “Yes”, but in the comments section most people put forward their constructive criticism about including the crawl. I think this says it all – most Yes-voters are too lazy to care, they can’t think outside the box.

    • June 29, 2016 at 12:40 pm
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      reminds me of Brexit last week lol

    • June 30, 2016 at 5:45 am
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      Start the movie inside the box, then go outside.

    • July 1, 2016 at 6:09 am
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      What a dumb thing to say.

  • June 29, 2016 at 9:56 am
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    I would prefer it if all the spinoffs have the crawl. it will help in making sure that the audience knows what this movie is about and that this is NOT one of the saga films.

  • June 29, 2016 at 11:46 am
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    All I will say ….its STAR WARS! So crawl please….as others have said it is part of the experience. This film does not need to make a point that its different from the others. What ever the story is….it is still STAR WARS!

  • June 29, 2016 at 11:58 am
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    Every day i care less about the crawl in Spinoffs although i am fine either way.
    I think the crawl is related to Williams main theme, it depends on that.
    Here we have another composer. The main theme notes i think will appear but not sure in the beginning.
    “A long time ago…” i think it’s totally necessary.
    To diferenciate from the saga i am ok with no crawl unless main theme appears.

  • June 29, 2016 at 12:46 pm
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    well i guess the crawl was never designed by Lucas to be a “Skywalker saga entry” but rather a cool opening for a late-70’s “sci-fi” movie that paralleled nicely the following scene of Star Destroyer filling up the screen.. sooo I think its more than appropriate to be present in Rogue One given its stylistic direction. we SW fans tend to overthink stuff too much, hearing Desplat conducted “SW theme” will differentiate the feeling from the saga films well enough.

  • June 29, 2016 at 1:12 pm
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    If there’s no crawl then is there no main SW theme? If there is the theme then what’s it playing in front of? For me the crawl is as much a part of Star Wars as anything in the movies themselves and needs to be there.

  • June 29, 2016 at 1:28 pm
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    I like the idea of a narrated introduction at the beginning as well. From the Lucasfilm Logo, do a slow fade to the emptiness of space to keep it somewhat familiar, then have some ships abruptly interrupt the calm in a frenzied fire fight where the Rebel ships get quickly destroyed. Maybe then cut to a planet to see the ground pounders getting decimated by Imperial forces, then cut to another battle scene and so on, kind of like the Order 66 montage in ROTS. While this is going on, have Mon Mothma provide narration to give a background intro to establish the setting and that the alliance is on its last leg, struggling to no end against an unstoppable Empire. Something akin to Galadriel’s introduction in The Fellowship of the Ring. I think that would be cool. But I’d love a crawl as well. It really depends on whether or not they use the main theme as an intro. Without the theme, I say no crawl. With the theme, I say why not?

  • June 29, 2016 at 3:53 pm
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    I think the crawl is the perfect place to set the time period.

    A year before Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker and Han Solo set off on their adventure to destroy the Death Star…

    PS Viral Hyde, we can’t comment on new iPad version of site?

  • June 29, 2016 at 7:30 pm
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    I’m good either way, but I think they’ll include it because it’s a useful tool for providing a chunk of exposition right at the outset.

  • June 29, 2016 at 7:55 pm
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    Has to have a crawl to be a SW film…IMO

  • June 29, 2016 at 8:35 pm
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    Please, NO CRAWL, for many the reasons mentioned below. Especially since these are stand-alone “stories” and not part of the serialized “saga”.

  • June 29, 2016 at 8:59 pm
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    I think the film, as a spin-off similar to The Clone Wars series, may benefit from a very brief sort of title crawl (just STAR WARS and ROGUE ONE), followed by narration rather than text, as others have mentioned. Sets it apart from the main films, and continues the method TCW began on TV. This establishes the film as a one-off episode, like each TCW episode, rather than main storyline/saga episode, while still setting the stage with some sort of prologue information on timing and what’s been going on.

    These films, in their opening narrations, could even be narrated by main Saga characters like Han Solo, Princess Leia, or Luke Skywalker, tying them into the OT, or the post-Galactic Civil War era.

  • June 29, 2016 at 9:14 pm
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    I would have an opening crawl, but make it look different. For example, have the crawl go straight up instead of at an angle. Maybe even a short series of words that appear (to explain the backstory) that don’t move. I think “A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away” probably needs to be there though.

  • June 29, 2016 at 10:40 pm
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    I think the fact that this is a discussion is an embarrassment. If it was never brought up, they left it in, nobody would have cared, everyone happy. Regardless if it was brought up, If they remove it, we have pissed off Star Wars fans all over the place. To me they will shoot themselves in the foot if left out now.

    • July 2, 2016 at 6:39 am
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      Totally agree i will be one of the pissed off fans

  • June 30, 2016 at 1:16 am
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    Do the Crawl! It’s Star Wars! Tradition!

  • June 30, 2016 at 4:21 am
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    Interesting. Didn’t think Opening crawl would do so well.

  • June 30, 2016 at 5:43 am
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    StarWars=Crawl, gotta be there. Plus, it serves a very important function of giving the viewer enough backstory to be able to jump right into the story/action, without needing to waste screen time on the backstory.
    Think of the visceral relations we all have to the STAR WARS exploding to fanfare, then the crawl, the space setting, then the pan to the first planet/ship.
    I want Rogue One to feel 100% Star Wars.

  • June 30, 2016 at 7:37 am
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    This isn’t a SW movie. It’s a Star Wars STORY. I say no. The Ewok movies were standalone productions with no crawl, so awash with this “tradition” nonsense. It’s already been done.

    • July 2, 2016 at 6:37 am
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      Bahahaaa ewoks movies

  • June 30, 2016 at 3:36 pm
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    It can have a intro-crawl though it should have a different theme

    • June 30, 2016 at 10:43 pm
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      Agreed. The crawl has always been a great way to set the scene, so that the movie can jump straight into the action. But a different theme would set it apart from the Episodic movies.

  • June 30, 2016 at 6:37 pm
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    Absolutely must have the crawl.

  • June 30, 2016 at 9:48 pm
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    NO! it Already has a crawl! did we not read the episode 4 crawl? if it has a crawl it will feel like a fan film to me,this might be nitpicky but this drives me nuts,it is the same attitude like with friday the 13th they are talking a prequel,it already has a prequel,THE ORIGINAL 1980 FIlm! I think sometimes people are on dope.

    • July 1, 2016 at 6:08 am
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      This makes no sense. What happens just before Rogue One is not explained in the crawl in ANH.

  • July 2, 2016 at 5:53 am
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    It must have the crawl, if this is in the star wars universe it must state what has happend and whats happening ,of course any real star wars fan would expect it,,,first we lost the 20th century fox drum roll,,now we might lose the crawl in a sw film..if its not in there the sw universe is slowly fading away from us

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