It has been a big week forRogue One: A Star Wars Storyreveals, with plenty of character and story details arriving alongside some absolutely stunningnew photos. Today, we get an even closer look at the plot, along with some sure to become iconic images from this firstStar Warsspinoff. This time, the focus is on returning character Mon Mothma, who was first introduced inReturn of the Jedi. We also get an awesome fiery shot of a Death Trooper.
Mon Mothmais a former senator responsible for uniting disparate planetary systems who have come under the tyrannical rule of the Galactic Empire. She is sometimes known as ‘The Mother of the Rebellion’, and was first introduced way back in 1983’sReturn of the Jedi, where she delivered the pilot debriefing before the raid on the second Death Star. She also had a small role inRevenge of the Sith, which was cut out of the movie but returned as part of the deleted scenes during that film’s DVD debut. Now, she’s back for an even more important role inRogue One. And it’s not just a cameo.
No, in fact, Mon Mothma plays a key role in this latest chapter in the sprawling space opera. The movie is set in the weeks beforeA New Hope, as a team of Rebel pilots go on a covert spy mission to infiltrate the Empire and steal plans to the first dreaded Death Star. She is the one who recruits Jyn Erso, played by Felicity Jones, pairing her with Diego Luna’s Captain Cassian Andor so they can retrieve important information about the super weapon capable of blowing up entire planets. Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy assures that Mon Mothma has a considerably larger role inRogue Onethan she did inJedi.
“We actually see quite a bit of her. The Rebel alliance is in disarray. Pretty panicked. Up against it. And she is trying the best she can to provide the leadership, in amongst a wide variety of Rebel soldiers that have very differing opinions as to what to do.”
Genevieve O’Reilly will reprise her role as Mon Mothma after being left on theRevenge of the Sithcutting room floor. She replaces originalJediactress Caroline Blakiston, and is considered by fans to be a dead ringer. DirectorGareth Edwardsfelt it was important to bring the same actress back, especially since the deleted scene is familiar with most fans of the franchise, and it gives the spinoff some continuity. It’s suspected that Mon Mothma may even have more screen time thanDarth VaderinRogue One, with that villain relegated to an extended cameo.
Along with this exciting tidbit on Mon Mothma’s appearance, we also get 6 more photos fromEW. The first is the best, though, which shows the shiny blackDeath Trooperstanding on a beach engulfed by flames. These photos didn’t make the print edition of the upcoming EW edition, but are exciting none the less.
Also included in these new images is another look at blind warrior-monk Chirrut Imwe played by Donnie Yen, who isn’t a Jedi but has accepted some of their principles into his lifestyle and fight training. Here, he offers a new look at an unidentified weapon that he is carrying on his back. This shot is followed by one that shows Capt.Cassian Andorsurveying the damage done during the big beach battle, which has left quite a few Stormtroopers dead. And we get to see Chirrut’s righthand man, Baze Malbus, played by Jiang Wen. He is crouched in front of a downed X-Wing, looking ready to take on opposing forces.
Other new photos include an image of Cassian and Jyn together in the back of a transport vehicle. They are compared to Murtaugh and Riggs inLethal Weapon, with Erso the unpredictable loose canon and Andor the straight laced soldier who might just be getting a little too old for this fight, despite the fact that he’s only in his thirties. The final new shot goes behind-the-scenes to show how some of the big beach battle was accomplished. We get to see Baze, Chirrut, and a squad of Rebel fighters storming the beach as a helicopter looms above capturing this beautiful shot taking place in what is being referred to as a South Pacific paradise. TheRogue Oneissue of EW is on newsstands today, and promises even more exciting news about the movie as it nears its December release date.
