Felicity Jones Speaks to Vanity Fair About Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

rogue one
Vanity Fair has a piece up today in which they spoke to Rogue One star Felicity Jones ahead of her receiving an artist of the year honor at the Britannia Awards.

 

 

There isn’t a great deal of Star Wars content in the piece, but Jones does touch on her excitement at getting to portray a strong female character in the Star Wars universe and how she hopes to create a character that will be a role model for young girls. A role that she sees as a contrast to the types of female character she looked up to as a child, such as Ariel from Disney’s The Little Mermaid.

 

“I just hope that girls like the movie and can invest in Jyn’s story and care about her,” said Jones. “It is quite nice now that instead of a fish’s tail, girls can see a cool female character who’s got a blaster and can run really fast,” Jones said. And unlike Ariel, who spends the better part of The Little Mermaid trying to regain her literal voice, Jones gets to deliver the kind of powerhouse Star Wars lines in the Gareth Edwards–directed sequel that have made the sci-fi franchise so iconic. In the most recent trailer, for example, it is Jones who announces, “Rebellions are built on hope,” a message which seems to be the crux of the new film.

 

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Jones was particularly happy to get to repeat some of that iconic Star Wars dialogue

 

“There are some really strong lines that you definitely want to feel like you’ve rehearsed,” Jones said of her character’s dialogue. “I would always be reciting different lines, walking around my house, doing the ironing and saying, ‘The force is with you,’ over and over again.”

 

But, with the role of an action hero in both Rogue One and the recent Inferno come some consequences.

 

“I loved it because I got to kick some ass,” Jones said of her one-two action-film punch. “I loved the physical side of making these larger films. I worked closely with the stunt teams and got to learn a new skill. I mean, you do go home covered in bruises, but it’s worth it.”

 

 

Head over to Vanity Fair for the full article.

 

 

+ posts

49 thoughts on “Felicity Jones Speaks to Vanity Fair About Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

  • November 1, 2016 at 8:02 pm
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    It’s that time of year when new SW stars have to do the feminist press tour…

    • November 1, 2016 at 11:24 pm
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      Damned feminists wanting girls to like Star Wars!

  • November 1, 2016 at 9:02 pm
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    I think they need to drop the “a Star Wars story” it’s too long and doesn’t sound rite. Just Star Wars: Rogue One.

  • November 1, 2016 at 10:20 pm
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    Not sure if felicity understands the plot of the little mermaid or that comparing it to rogue one is completely ridiculous.

    • November 1, 2016 at 11:17 pm
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      I think the point of what she was saying flew past you, then.

      • November 1, 2016 at 11:39 pm
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        Yeah, yeah female empowerment. I got that, she didn’t need to take a swipe at Ariel to do it.

        • November 1, 2016 at 11:56 pm
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          And you took a swipe at her for saying something about a cartoon character.

          Not sure you needed to do that, either.

          • November 2, 2016 at 12:03 am
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            k.

    • November 2, 2016 at 1:45 am
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      Sidenote – ever notice that the plot is essentially “rich, entitled girl at the top of the social hierarchy puts everyone below her in danger and learns a lesson by becoming rich and entitled at the top of the social hierarchy – but with legs”?

      • November 2, 2016 at 2:04 am
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        wasn’t that also the plot to the lion king? 😉

        • November 2, 2016 at 2:16 am
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          Oh, dude, that one’s even WORSE! On top of that, you put the guys in charge of society whose main goal in life is to LITERALLY KILL AND EAT the people they rule over. Beauty and the Beast says some truly disgusting things about class too – namely that unless you’re royalty, you’re worth nothing, defined solely by your function serving the upper class, and has one of those characters actually say that unless poor people are busy serving their rich masters, they’re feckless, lazy, slobs with no meaning in their lives.
          To be clear, I don’t think it’s intentional, I just think Disney’s accountants looked at Little Mermaid and went “well, THAT made a shit-ton of cash….” and so the company has largely been aping that dynamic ever since.

          • November 2, 2016 at 2:24 am
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            “something is deeply wrong with a society who will throw in behind some evil nutbar as long as he promises they won’t starve any longer.”

            1930s germany in a nutshell.

          • November 2, 2016 at 2:53 am
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            No kidding, right? But I mean, you have to ask yourself just how badly Mufasa ran things for that even to be an alternative the animals were willing to entertain.

    • November 2, 2016 at 2:05 am
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      is that with one with extra dewbacks and CG jabba? 😉 great photoshop job though.

  • November 2, 2016 at 2:22 am
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    My comment seems to have been deleted, accidentally, I’m sure, so here it is again:

    It’s that time of year when new SW stars have to do the feminist press tour…

    • November 2, 2016 at 2:23 am
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      inb4delete.

    • November 2, 2016 at 3:19 am
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      You seem a little insecure. Why?

    • November 2, 2016 at 4:21 am
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      And that time of year when insecure men freak out…

      Oh, that’s year-round.

    • November 2, 2016 at 7:04 am
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      Heaven forbid a female lead look at gender in a franchise that’s packed more sausage than a schnitzelhaus.

      Name two, named females characters who talk to each other in the original three films. Do the same for the men.

      Now you know why it matters.

      • November 2, 2016 at 6:00 pm
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        Did I say I don’t like her or Rey as leads? Nope, I said I do not like the propaganda, but hey, anyone can read (interpret) what they want.

        • November 2, 2016 at 6:09 pm
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          Propaganda? Good Christ.

          • November 3, 2016 at 5:54 am
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            Because all acknowledgements of gender = feminist propaganda.

            Gerry is hilarious.

          • November 3, 2016 at 5:33 pm
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            Although, to be fair here “Running and jumping > FISH TAIL!!!!” is a pretty meaningless statement. She doesn’t actually say anything about either film or either role that has ANY meaning whatsoever. It’s not much of a gender statement either way.

          • November 5, 2016 at 6:36 pm
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            I invite to read the intelligent discussion I have the pleasure of having with Davis, a little up from these post.

        • November 2, 2016 at 6:39 pm
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          You clearly don’t like either of them if you don’t want them to speak or comment on the cultural and artistic significance of their roles.

          That’s how misogyny works.

          • November 2, 2016 at 8:34 pm
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            “You clearly don’t like either of them” I did not say that, you are inferring that based upon God knows what and a few words I just wrote. The fact that I do not like to mix political themes in my art forms does NOT mean I am a misogynist (again, that’s your deduction) That would be like judging you from your avatar (if indeed that is you). I just naively wish Star Wars was less politically correct and more pure old fun, like back in the late 70’s, when you wouldn’t catch Mark Hamill or even Carrie Fisher talking about political issues in their interviews they talked about the movies, about adventure, fantasy, spaceships, etc) I just imagined Hamill back then going: “Yes, I just hope my character motivates farmers of the third world countries to join rebellions against their governments…”

          • November 2, 2016 at 10:19 pm
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            You do not like to mix political themes in your art forms?
            Do you realise that Star Wars was always filled with political themes?

          • November 3, 2016 at 1:33 am
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            I meant earth political themes with my sci-fi and fantasy, but let’s just leave it at that, with the wise words of one George Lucas: “It’s only a movie”

          • November 3, 2016 at 10:53 am
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            I was talking exactly about earth political themes. Its a but ironic though that you see feminist agenda everywhere, but failed to see the incredibly obvious political references in the saga.
            I could write an essay about it, but let just name the most obvious one here.
            Ep III is basically Lucas’s critique of the Bush administration (there were evena couple of cinemas which boykotted the release because of this).
            Anakin’s dialogue “If you are not with me, then you’re my enemy” is almost a full quote of the famous Bush speech.

          • November 3, 2016 at 4:45 pm
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            Ok

          • November 3, 2016 at 8:01 pm
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            And the OT was inspired by the Vietnam war (its basically an allegorical protest), as Lucas himself said it multiple times. So whats so new about putting in political themes into SW?

          • November 4, 2016 at 6:40 pm
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            in the spirit of a mature, affable Internet discussion, let me state that I don’t ever recall reading that ANH had anything to do with the Vietnam war ( I struggle to find the parallelisms) but in any case, my point is not the symbolic analysis of the Franchise, which as you state, may have taken many real world events and, again, symbolically and metaphorically inserted them into the movies, my problem is with the blatant and forced inclusion of political topics into a movie that may have none. In other words, if they HAVE to tell you to look for the symbolic messages in their art, then why put them in there in the first place? Better go make a movie about Vietnam, feminism, etc

          • November 5, 2016 at 12:51 pm
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            Star Wars has always been filled with life political, historical and social themes.
            Its necessary to know the history behind the creation of SW though. See, Lucas was originally set to direct Apocalypse Now (an anti Vietnam war movie), and just like many in the industry (Coppola, his metor; Kubrick; Oliver Stone etc) he was also strongly against the war, and began writing ANH just after a couple of years after it. Btw ANH is filled with the paralells. The giant imperialst power against a small rebellion? Rings you a bell? The topics werent as symbolical and metaphorical as you might think…
            Anyway, here are some very good articles about the topic if you’re interessted:

            history.com/news/the-real-history-that-inspired-star-wars
            taskandpurpose.com/how-the-star-wars-franchise-started-as-a-commentary-on-american-imperialism/
            futureofstarwars.wordpress.com/2013/08/23/star-wars-as-allegory-for-the-vietnam-war-or-how-not-to-offend-anyone/

            “blatant and forced inclusion of political topics”
            There were such as well. After the Bush administration Lucas has changed his original idea about the emperor:
            Lucas: “…he was a politician. Richard M. Nixon was his name.”
            (huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/22/star-wars-prequels-return-of-the-jedi_n_3313793.html)

            He later forced in his political ideas about the Bush administraion (which was the contemporary topic when writing the PT), instead of Nixon. He even gave Anakin Bush’s words:
            “Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists.” (Bush, 2001)
            “If you are not with me, then you are my enemy” (Anakin, RotS)

            I’d like to ask you one question. How is forcing in one’s political agenda about a goverment any different than foring in more recent political agendas, aside from the fact that it insults a louder group of people becasue of the internet?
            Its nothing new. Its always been like that in SW.

          • November 5, 2016 at 6:33 pm
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            You make pretty strong points and citing sources is commendable. I like parallelism and symbolism in my movies and art; after all, art tends to reflect the best, and sometimes the worst, of life. I believe artists can and must draw inspiration from what surrounds them. That, coupled with their own experiences (Darth Vader aka dark father, have you read about Lucas’ relationship with his father?) and sometimes even personal demos, is what makes a work of art pure, compelling and original. What I personally do not like is those artists going on press saying “what I do is empowering to this or that particular group”. This is a “hollier than thou” attitude. Who can even say for sure that girls do want to be like Jyn or Rey? (Daughters dressing for halloween do not count, people dress like serial killers too)

            I think it’d be a sin of pride, right?: “Listen, mortals, I’m here to free you from your own limiting beliefs.”

            I think that also actually kills the effect of having the symbolism in the movie, theatre play, song, etc. If the artist has to go around sharing the interpretation of their work to the public, then why bother doing a work of art in the first place? Better devote those efforts in a direct way, like through a foundation, or speeches, what have you? Imagine Ridley Scott explaining Blade Runner, or Clark Gable going “Rhett Butler is a good role model for men of the 18th century.”

            Besides, SJW tend to defend what the actor says that accommodate their own personal beliefs. Dont’ believe me? Everybody loved Daisy Ridley preaching about empowering women with Rey, but the minute she hinted at gun control policies, those same fans hit her so hard she had to close her Instagram and Facebook. Artists really should stay away from politics.

          • November 5, 2016 at 10:35 pm
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            Im also a fan of symbolism and hidden metaphores in movies and art.
            But this whole “forced feminism in Star Wars”, “JJ Abrams and Disney are just contributing to white genocide” etc arguments are just bullshit as far as Im concerned.

            Imo its nothing more than just insufficient writing and business. Disney dosent care about the sjws and feminists at all. They dont care about any ideal in general. All they care about is money. And since the SW movie fanbase mostly consist of white men, they are trying to expand it with women and a wider range of ethnicities to make more money
            (btw not like this is new to SW aswell, just think a bit about why Lucas casted Samuel Jackson to play an incredibly boring character, or why did Padmé wear so many clothings and hairstyles).

            Many people claim that Katleen Kennedy is just exploiting her feminism. Thats also bullshit imo. Just look at Kennedy’s filmography. So many good movies, and non of them had anything to do with feminism at all. I think they really tried their best with TFA.

            And besides, for what I think Lucas would’ve done the exact same thing about the ST. I mean feminism and sjw culture are now the contemporary topics, just like the Bush administration or the Vietnam war back then. Dont forget that the female lead was his idea…
            And Lucas is also an sjw, he called Disney “white slavers” ffs.
            But yea, writing a believable female lead in an action movie is incredibly hard. But I think it at least brought some variety to the saga. Had Rey been a male, TFA would’ve been nothing really more than just ANH over again.

          • November 7, 2016 at 9:29 pm
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            Nice Internet conversation for a change, right now, I only hope R1 is a good movie… 38 days!

  • November 2, 2016 at 7:25 am
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    It’s entertaining to hear she’s having fun with the action scenes, going “home covered in bruises.” Which just makes me all the more excited for how the action in this movie will be intense.

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