Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’sdirector, Gareth Edwards, shares valuable insights about the making of this fan-favoriteStar Warsmovie and his perspective onStar Warsmovies and TV showsnearly 10 years afterRogue One’sdebut.Rogue Oneis a true anomaly, as it’s considered one ofStar Wars’best moviesbut isn’t part of the Skywalker Saga.
Rogue Onedirector Gareth Edwards seems keenly aware of just how special a position that is, as he’s no stranger to how important to and (at times fiercely) defended by its fansStar Warsis. Speaking withGamesRadar+, Edwards shared:
“I mean, I’m just eternally relieved that I don’t walk across the street and people don’t shout that I ruined their childhood…I hate the word ‘franchise,’ really, and ‘IP.’ It sort of diminishes… Like, to me, these movies were sort of semi-religious experiences as a kid, watching them, and so they mean a lot.”
In addition to Edwards' apparent awareness that the accusations thrown at someStar Warscreators have at times included the idea that they’ve ‘ruined’ one’s childhood or just flat-out ‘ruinedStar Wars,‘this quote is such a perfect encapsulation of why fans can be so protective of the franchise.
Gareth Edwards Is Right About Star Wars
There Is Something Nearly Religious About Star Wars As A Franchise
While some fan reactions have undoubtedly gone too far—such as the more vitriolicbacklash toThe Acolyte—there really is something nearly religious about theStar Warsfranchise and the dedication of its fanbase. EvenStar Warsfans who were born long afterA New Hope, for example, tend to have a type of reverence for the original trilogy.
As Gareth Edwards’ comments suggest, this does explain some of the at times rather jarring fan responses to newStar Warsprojects. Ultimately, for better or worse, there’s an intense nostalgia and protectiveness within theStar Warsfanbase, and that can certainly lead to accusations of ruined childhoods.
Yet, Edwards is also right thatRogue Oneimpressively avoided that fate. Particularly because we know there were severalchanges made toRogue One, some of which took place rather late in the game, it’s to be commended that, generally speaking, audiences enjoyedRogue One.
Our Take On Rogue One’s Legacy
Rogue One’s Success And Impact Speak For Themselves
I am among those who believeRogue Oneis one ofStar Wars’best movies, but even that subjectivity aside,Rogue One’ssuccess and impact are readily apparent just based on what has happened in the time since the movie was released. Perhaps the most prominent example isAndor.
Just asRogue Oneis considered among the bestStar Warsmovies,Andoris now largely seen as one ofStar Wars’best TV shows, and many (myself included) would go so far as to say it’s the franchise’s best show to date. As aRogue Onespin-off, that success was only possible because ofRogue One.
In terms of the overall franchise,Rogue Onealso proved thatStar Warscan be successful even outside the Skywalker Saga. Despite the semi-religious nature ofStar Wars, as director Gareth Edwards put it,Rogue One: A Star Wars Storystands out as one of the franchise’s greatest achievements.
