Behind the making of any film, there are dozens of other stories waiting to be told.
What was Alan Tudyks backpack of shame?
Whats the link betweenRogue Oneand EdwardsMonstersandGodzillareboot?
What does the film say about the state of the real world in 2016?
Read on to find out…
I was waiting for some phone call that goes, You cant do that.
And it never came.
If anything, they were encouraging us to be different.
They had all the other really successful saga films, and then suddenly this standalone.
And they were like, Well, how is this different?
Why is this unique?
Its got to be different.
We tried to make the most realistic version of Star Wars we could.
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Mads Mikkelsen:It brought two styles of filmmaking together.
Doing a gigantic sci-fi film but sort of approaching it sort of likeDogme 95, raw style.
The characters are used to being in these situations, so it should be intimate for them.
Ben Mendelsohn:But it does provide a real sense, just for the audience, of being there.
And thats part of what really thrills me aboutRogue Oneis the look.
It feels worn, it feels like a dilapidated world to a degree.
But you feel very present in it.
Really, really proud.
Its a really gutsy film.
Especially for one so grand as aStar Warsfilm.
Diego Luna:Yeah, the realistic approach to theStar Warsuniverse was important.
Theres a proximity thats almost uncomfortable youre very close.
It was important to make a film that was realistic because its about regular people doing extraordinary things.
These are the darkest time in the galaxy; there are no Jedis around, you know?
No ones going to come to rescue you.
Its about you getting involved, or watching disaster happen.
Thats kind of cool.
It was very exciting to me at least.
To make characters that live in the grey zone, theyre not black or white.
War is horrible, right?
War can be a cruel place to be.
You witness horrible things, and you have to make choices.
Riz Ahmed:Its got an edge to it that makes it very distinctive.
This isnt an Angel Delight, blancmange version ofStar Wars.Its got some edges to it for sure.
But I think thats what people are responding to from what Ive seen.
People feel like its kind of a special movie for that reason.
The stilts were uncomfortable for the first couple of weeks until the callouses came in.
They were like a new pair of Church shoes that you have to wear.
I got the balance down pretty much.
Certain challenges: sand, but not really deep sand.
Diego [Luna] hated it.
[Launches into Diego Luna impression, with Mexican accent] kindly take it off.
I cant stand that.
It looks like were now doing a movie in Mexico.
But I could run in that.
I could jump and run through water.
A lot of active stuff, because its a war movie.
A lot of running.
Luckily, the droids inStar Warshave such big personalities.
So there was never a question of, Do I have a soul?
The droids just have personalities, especially on the Alliance side of things.
So the life came from the script.
And she says, Yeah.
And he says, Im sorry.
He doesnt even ask what he said, hes just like, Yeah… him.
Hes apologising without knowing what he said!
I feel like scale is relative.
Theres that phrase, If one person dies, its a tragedy.
When a million people die, its a statistic.
If youre experiencing it too objectively, you dont really care.
And the camera crew, in a way, is trying to survive.
[Chirrut being blind] was one of my suggestions.
Very spiritual, skilful.
I thought it would be interesting to make him blind Id never played a blind person before.
Here youve got this person whos as capable as anybody else, but he cant see.
Hes full of darkness, but yet so strong, so optimistic.
He has so much faith.
Thats what inspired me to play a blind person.
Like, hes destroying his soul and losing his humanity.
Its supposed to be very subconscious but its like, if Saw keeps going, hell become like Vader.
Hell lose his soul.
[Theatre training] helps with everything.
And also, the crew are the first audience.
When a take hasnt gone very well, literally everyone leaves!
People are going to get coffee you’re free to sense it.
Everyones ready for the next thing.
So I always trust the crews instinct.
I have trouble putting characters away, if Im honest.
I still act out scenes fromThe Night Ofsometimes.
I always think about how else I could have done something.
But thats okay I dont mind hanging out with Bodi Rook for a few more years, at least.
Hes a complicated guy.
Hes trying to do the right thing, so hes not a bad person to have around.
There are things that I gravitate towards that I subconsciously went to on this film.
One of the obvious ones is the Death Star: what does that symbolically represent in the real world?
Its the nuclear arms race, and trying to be the first to get the nuclear weapon.
Maybe that affected this film more than I realised.
I find all that stuff fascinating.
Riz Ahmed:Its 2016, you know?
So if youre telling a story, youre telling it to the world.
So I think it feels natural.
Alan Tudyk:Its easy to be apathetic and get lost in your phone.
[Chuckles] The luxuries of the day.
I have a problem myself of just getting into my computer and, Ugh.
Im upset about that.
And then the next page… Ugh!
Im upset about that.
Taking action is, I think, rare.
Star Trekexplored race relations and interracial romance and a lot of political things.
Done with aliens, its somehow palatable.
It doesnt hit you right in the face.Twilight Zonewas the same way.
Theyre great, moral stories, andRogue Oneis no different.
It teaches a great thing about hope, and an individuals power to affect change.
Felicity Jones:Jyns on the outside of society.
Its someone finding a belief and fighting for something.
Diego Luna:Its about getting involved, about getting your hands dirty.
Its about, if something worries you, get out there.
So it is about that.
Our strength is in our numbers, and youre not alone.
So go out there, connect with others, and do something.
Yes, its a film about that.
I feel very lucky to be part of it.
