“State your name for the record.”
“Jyn Erso.”
Felicity Jones’s character, Jyn Erso, is escorted in handcuffs through the Yavin 4 base. What could she have done to require the Rebels to “arrest” her?
“Forgery of Imperial documents, possession of stolen property, aggravated assault, resisting arrest.”
A harsh sounding Rebel General (rank gathered by his insignia) reads off Jyn’s record in the presence of Mon Mothma — confirmed to be played by Genevieve O’Reilly, the actress who played Mothma briefly in Episode 3 (Speaking scenes deleted).
We also see the character played by Diego Luna, who looks to be a Rebel Captain based on his insignia. Some speculate that he may be Biggs Darklighter, but he doesn’t seem to be acting as a pilot in this trailer. I don’t believe Biggs has been given a rank in canon.
“On your own from the age of fifteen. Reckless, aggressive, and undisciplined.” Mon Mothma seems to know even more about Jyn’s past.
“This is a rebellion, isn’t it?” — Jyn Erso
We see Jyn fighting in an environment that looks reminiscent of Tatooine. I speculate that this is later in the story, rather than a taste of her actions before the Rebels capture her, as Diego’s character can also be seen. Though this could be how they met.
In the first image, behind Jyn, we can see the first glimpse of what is likely Alan Tudyk’s droid character. Is he with Jyn from the beginning, or is he a character she teams with for the Rebel mission?
Jyn can be seen fighting with a tonfa-like weapon (which seems like her preferred weapon) and also a trooper’s blaster.
A shadowed figure sets off a charge, blowing up some troopers as Jyn and Diego’s character dive for cover.
“I rebel.” Mon Mothma seems amused by Jyn’s response.
“We have a mission for you. A major weapons test is imminent. And we need to know what it is and how to destroy it.” — Mon Mothma
The Rebellion knows that some sort of weapon is being tested. Is this initial test thwarted by the Rebels, giving the line by Vader in EP4 new perspective? “There will be no one to stop us, this time.” Why have they chosen Jyn, and not a trusted member of the Rebellion, for this sensitive mission? What skills and/or knowledge does she possess that they need so badly?
We see a possibly apprehensive Jyn in some kind of transport.
The Death Star’s laser dish is set into place. Star Destroyers are dwarfed by its size.
“Is that clear…?” — Rebel General
“Yes, sir.” — Jyn
We get a sense of antagonism between Jyn and the General. He likely doesn’t trust her, and she likely doesn’t like authority. Is she given an offer she can’t refuse, or does she realize the importance of this mission at the start and willingly join. Will she and the General stay antagonistic? Will she earn his respect? Crazy theory: Could he be a traitor?
Rebels readying for action with Jyn and Diego’s character.
Red Four and Gold Five?
Biggs with a standard helmet?
Ben Mendelsohn’s Imperial Admiral. Though he wears a white uniform (Grand Admiral attire in “Legends”), his rank insignia is that of an Admiral. Note that he is holding a blaster. Is he ready to fight, execute, contemplating suicide after failing his mission, or all three?
An Imperial tank (note new tank trooper armor) riding down a Tatooine-like street (same place where we saw Jyn fighting troopers?). Who are the other characters? They don’t seem to match the pics we have seen of the crew so far, though the character behind the masked one is similar to Jiang Wen’s, with a cylinder of some kind on his back left shoulder. Have these figures been captured, or are they just watching the proceedings?
Forest Whitaker’s character. Mercenary? Bounty Hunter? He has a limp and, possibly, a more rustic Vader-like life support suit. Is Jyn connected to this character? Is she trying to get his help for the mission? He seems very wary of her involvement against the Empire.
“What will you do when they catch you?” — Whitaker’s character
Captured Rebel pilots being marched through a market. Same Tatooine-like location?
Jyn, Diego’s character, and a droid (likely Alan Tudyk) running through an Imperial setting. And troopers presumably running after them. Note the new trooper variation, reminiscent of Episode 6 Scout Troopers.
Are the Death Star plans on this?
“What will you do if they break you?” — Whitaker’s character
Donnie Yen’s (likely-blind) character fighting troopers with staff. (Note the downed black X-Wing in the background) If he is indeed blind, could he – like Maz Kanata – be using the Force without being a Jedi? Crazy theory: A pirate trained by Maz? He is already my favorite Rogue One character so far. I hope he survives at least till the end. I would hate to see Yen go out early.
“Shadow” Troopers firing massive blaster bolts on a beach. The beach battle sections are evocative of Normandy and Vietnam beach warfare.
What looks like an Imperial shuttle or troop transport blowing up. Reminiscent of Kylo Ren’s command shuttle but with four wings. Is this Mendelsohn’s ship, or maybe just a fancy troop carrier?
More explosions on the beach.
Ben Mendelsohn’s Admiral striding through the battlefield, dead troops littering the beach. Is this a walk of victory, or shame?
Who is the kneeling, cloaked figure? Is it Vader and they are hiding him for the trailer by giving him a hood? Note the Emperor’s Royal Guard. No doubt the Emperor will appear in this scene in some form. Have the effects been changed to hide a hologram of the Emperor? Crazy theory: is this Snoke?
“If you continue to fight…” — Whitaker’s character
Could Whitaker’s character be a former warrior who now questions his actions and what fighting a war can do to a person?
Jiang Wen’s character. His last stand?
An amazing shot of AT-ATs on the beach with Jyn and Diego’s character running the gauntlet towards them. What could be worth the risk of running towards AT-ATs?
“…what will you become?” — Whitaker’s character
Jyn in an Imperial disguise similar to TIE pilot gear. And most importantly (and largely missed, it seems), under Whitaker’s final line can be heard… the sound of Darth Vader’s mechanical breathing! This gives Whitaker’s final line much more weight: “If you continue to fight, what will you become?”
Until next time. May the Force be with you. Always.
Chris Miller
You had me really searching for that Vader breathing, but I heard it too! Nice catch with the downed black X-Wing too, somehow I’d missed that.