Earlier this week, new photos were released fromRogue One: A Star Wars Storythat tease some of thedeleted scenesthat weren’t included in the theatrical cut. Today we have even more details about this blockbuster before it enters its fourth weekend at the box office, including some very obscure Easter Eggs about a few of the X-Wing pilots. If that wasn’t enough, the cameo appearance of directorGareth Edwardshas also been revealed. There may be SPOILERS forRogue Onebelow, if you’re among the few who haven’t seen it yet, so read on at your own risk.
Radio Timeswas perusing the official tie-in bookRogue One: The Ultimate Visual Guide, and came across some intriguing details. British fans may have noticed a few familiar faces among the X-Wing pilots, notablyUptopiastarGeraldine JamesandYonderland’sSimon Farnaby, although their real names were never revealed in the actual movie. TheRogue Onetie-in book reveals that their character names are actually anagrams of their real names.
Geraldine James' character is Jaldine Gerams (aka Blue Three), whileSimon Faranabyis Farns Monsbee. Additionally,Jonathan Strange and Mr NorrellstarAriyon Bakare’s character is named Barion Raner, and first assistant directorToby Hefferman, who also played a U-Wing pilot, was named “Heff Tobber.” While it wasn’t revealed in the tie-in book, an eagle-eyed fan noticed directorGareth Edwards' cameo inRogue One, and as it turns out, he actually had a rather significant on-screen role.
Twitter userLeonardo Valdiviarecently posted a photo of the director’s cameo on Twitter, revealing that the filmmaker is the soldier who disengages the Tantive IV, the rebel ship that is seen at the beginning ofA New Hopeand at the end ofRogue One. Because ofGareth Edwards' character, this ship which carried both Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) and theDeath Starplans was allowed to escape from Darth Vader’s clutches, setting up the iconic scene with Leia at the end of the film. Perhaps we’ll get to see more of the director’s cameo when the Blu-ray and DVD is released later this year.
These details are just the latest to surface in the weeks following the theatrical release on December 16. Earlier this week LucasFilm debuted new images and while most featured scenes that were shown in the movie, there were a handful of images taken from some of the deleted scenes. Perhaps the most intriguing photo of this new batch featuresBen Mendelsohnas Director Orson Krennic, where he’s seen pointing a blaster at someone off-screen. There is speculation already that this scene may have taken place after the Death Star was tested on the planet of Jedha, after it had been mined for the kyber crystals that power the battle station’s primary weapon. And that Krennic is pointing the gun at Gran Moff Tarkin.
Rogue Onerecently crossed the $800 millionbox office milestone, and it’s quite possible that this could be only the fourth film this year to cross $1 billion worldwide. Surprisingly, all three of the $1 billion movies have been Disney releases, withCaptain America: Civil War($1.1 billion),Finding Dory($1.027 billion) andZootopia($1.023 billion). With little competition at the box office in the next few weeks,Rogue One: A Star Wars Storycould cross $1 billion, but we’ll keep you posted with all updates forRogue Oneas soon as they come out.
