As we inch closer to the release of the first chapter of the Star Wars saga outside of the “Episodes,” everything we’re seeing about Rogue One has us feeling that it just might be the best film in the franchise. We’ve already lauded how diverse it is and profiled the film’s POC characters, but now that the final trailer and one-sheet have been released, December 16 can’t get here fast enough!
Let’s start with the trailer that was just released:
One of the things I’m most looking forward to about Rogue One is how different, yet familiar, the universe feels like. Because this takes place before A New Hope, the characters (I see you, Vader!) and ship designs are a throwback to what’s come before, but the new touches like the Deathtroopers and the new U-Wing Fighter are welcome additions to the canon.
What I love the most, however, is how the environment feels. We’ve seen the beachfront battle from several different angles already, and each time, it reminds me that this is not your father’s Star Wars! The other reminder? All those people of color in the movie!
Major lines by: black woman, black man, 2 asian men, 2 white women, hispanic man, white man; this is what inclusivity feels like. #RogueOne
— Lucas Siegel (@LucasSiegel) October 13, 2016
Not to mention the fact that aside from Felicity Jones’ Jyn Erso, the only other white person on the poster is the movie’s villain. Never in my life did I imagine I’d see a Star Wars movie that featured a cast that looked like our galaxy.
Of course, as progressive as it is to see Rogue One — and Force Awakens — led by white women, we’re still a year away from a woman of color leading a Star Wars film when Kelly Marie Tran takes center stage in Episode VIII, though the Han Solo movie has Tessa Thompson, Zoe Kravits, and Naomi Scott vying for the female lead too!
Still, a new Star Wars movie means toy aisles full of action figures. As a collector, this is the most moving aspect of the movie for me.
Like, I finally get Asian Star Wars toys. I can finally retire Nien Nunb and those racist ass Nemoidians from Phantom Menace. #GoAsians
Asian @starwars @OriginalFunko Pop Vinyl FTW. cc: @angryasianman pic.twitter.com/NvAUOVyQzp
— Keith Chow 周樂文 (@the_real_chow) October 13, 2016
Can I say I’m glad Donnie’s character is not a Jedi I feel that would lessen his badassery. Although I’m kinda feeling one character will turn out to be a secret Jedi who escaped Palpatine’s purges.
Righteous…utterly righteous.
I am so excited!
I totally agree with this post–I actually wrote an article in June that almost had the same title: https://therehasbeenanawakening.wordpress.com/2016/06/06/why-rogue-one-could-be-the-best-star-wars-movie-ever/
But I didn’t even point out the increased diversity for this film. You hit it right on the head–it’s an awesome start, and I only hope as more movies come out we get to see more and more of that in the leading roles.