WARNING: Possible spoilers by way of speculation and analysis ahead.
Orson Krennic’s ship landing on what looks to be a ringed planet where Galen and young Jyn Erso are living.
“Jyn. Whatever I do…” – Galen Erso
“I do it to protect you.” – Galen Erso
Galen Erso watching Krennic and his Death Troopers approach his home.
“So you understand?” – Galen
“I understand.” – Jyn Erso
Notice Jyn seems to be wearing an Imperial insignia on her shirt. We have also seen a picture of a Death Trooper holding a stormtrooper doll at this location. Seems Jyn liked to play as an Imperial as a child. It is interesting that Galen would allow this as it seems he will have a strained relationship with the Empire at this point.
Galen and Orson, once friends, meet again. We will get their backstory in the upcoming novel Rogue One: Catalyst (November 15). According to the official synopsis of the novel, Orson once saved Galen and his family during the Clone Wars, but their friendship turned sour when Galen realized what Orson and Palpatine were really doing with his research. I wonder if Krennic was ever truly a friend to the Erso family, or was it all a ruse to gain his allegiance.
Young Jyn hiding. We have already seen that this confrontation does not go well and Jyn must run while her home is burned by the Death Troopers. What she witnesses here will turn her into an enemy of the Empire she once admired. We also know, officially, that Jyn’s mother will be in the film.
Jyn snaps awake from what might be a flashback dream. She is now in an Imperial prison. Note her tentacle-faced alien cellmate.
A burning building on Jedha with a Star Destroyer looming above. Perhaps it is an old Jedi temple. We know that there is some resource on Jedha that was useful to both the Jedi and the Empire. It is safe to assume it is Kyber crystals, used for making lightsabers and the Death Star’s superlaser.
“Wanna get out of here?” – Rebel
Rebels free Jyn from what looks to be an Imperial prisoner transport.
Interesting that this rebel is taking Jyn’s handcuffs off here, yet we saw her in the original teaser and trailer being led into Yavin base with them on, being asked by rebel General Draven if she can be trusted without them, and a hesitant looking Cassian apparently unlocking her cuffs at the rebel meeting. Perhaps she tries to flee and the rebels must recapture her. Another possibility is that Jyn’s introduction to the Rebellion was changed in reshoots to have less tension.
An amazing shot the U-wing flying over what looks to be the gigantic, half buried statue of a Jedi.
“Our rebellion is all that remains to push back the Empire.” – Mon Mothma
“When was the last time you were in contact with your father?” – Cassian Andor
“What is this?” – Jyn
We know that Jyn has been on her own since she was fifteen. It is possible that she doesn’t even know her father is still alive.
An Imperial facility on the eerie planet of Eadu.
“It appears he’s critical to the development of a superweapon.” – Mon Mothma
Galen Erso in an Imperial uniform being confronted by Krennic on Eadu.
Galen’s uniform color scheme reminds me of the basic outfit worn by Galen Marek, AKA Starkiller, the protagonist of the popular video game The Force Unleashed, who was instrumental in the formation of the Rebel Alliance in the non-canon game. Some people speculated a connection when the name Galen was leaked. Perhaps this is a little nod to the non-canon character played by Sam Witwer.
We know Galen leaked information on the Death Star to the rebels, so what has been keeping him working for the Empire? I have speculated that they are holding his wife, who we know has been cast.
This also confirms my speculation from the last trailer that Galen was on this planet and there may be a rescue mission launched.
Another great shot of the Death Star looming behind a planet. Scarif?
“If my father built this thing, we need to find him.” – Jyn
You can see through the windows that this takes place on Eadu.
“Alright. How many do we (or is it “I”) need?” – Baze Malbus
This may be the moment Baze decides he will help Jyn and the others on their mission. The editing makes it look like this is in response to the last scene with Jyn, but the background is the Yavin base rather than a ship on Eadu.
Chirrut Imwe seems pleased with his friend’s decision. It is the will of the Force.
“They are requesting a call sign.” – K-2SO
“It’s uh… Rogue.” – Bodhi Rook
“Rogue One.” – Bodhi Rook
Pilot Bodhi Rook creates a call sign for the ship, seemingly inspired by Jyn.
A creepy reflection of Darth Vader. I believe this was the shot of Vader used in the Celebration Europe exclusive teaser.
“The power that we are dealing with here… is immeasurable!” – Orson Krennic to Vader
I’m sure Vader is most impressed with the technological terror Krennic has constructed…
An intriguing shot of an Imperial officer walking towards Orson Krennic on the control deck of the Death Star. The shot makes it seem that this is an important character, possibly more so than Krennic. My first thought is Tarkin, but he seems too young for the timeline, unless this is another flashback, but even then I think he seems too young compared to Krennic. It also looks like he has darker hair than Tarkin.
We have seen this figure before in the behind the scenes reel from Celebration. He certainly looks like a young Tarkin, and I assumed at the time that this was a stand-in who would be aged up with cgi to look more like Peter Cushing.
However, he also resembles another character… Supreme Leader Snoke.
I like to put far-out theories in these breakdowns, and my current favorite candidate for Snoke, and one I believe Lucasfilm at least put out there to be a “red herring,” is the mysterious Fleet Admiral named Gallius Rax (who was introduced as the main villain of the Aftermath trilogy). Rax was secretly working under Palpatine since before the rise of the Empire, and during the Aftermath series he is forming what will become the First Order. I won’t go into details here why I, and many others, believe he could be Snoke, but I would love an appearance by Rax in Rogue One… But this is likely just Tarkin.
The Death Star control deck. Compare with A New Hope. (Also note the gray, balding Tarkin of Episode IV… I really want that guy to be Snoke!)
“If the Empire has this kind of power, what chance to we have?” – Unknown female Rebel
An AT-ST firing on Jedha rebels.
The first shot we have seen of Saw Gerrera’s robotic right leg outside the toy reveals. We also know that his armor, like Vader’s, is also a life support suit. It also looks like he has the remnants of shackle on his left ankle.
“We have hope.” – Jyn
Hope may be something Saw has lost over his many years of fighting the Empire. We’ve already heard him warn Jyn of what she may become if she continues to fight.
“Rebellions are built on hope.” – Jyn
We see that Jyn isn’t as cynical as she seemed in some of the other trailers. Is this hope there from the beginning, or is it something she learns on the mission?
Chirrut Imwe seems happy with Jyn’s words of hope, though this is clearly from a different scene. This could be his reaction to Jyn saying “may the Force be with us” as seen in the other trailers. Chirrut is still my favorite Rogue One character so far.
The Imperial facility on Scarif. It reminds me of an upside down version of Skystrike Academy from the last episode of Rebels, The Antilles Extraction. I wonder if this was an intentional design influence.
Dave Filoni recently said that Rebels was going to look more like Rogue One as the timeline gets closer to it: “I’ve been aware of kind of the look of the film and the characters in the film for a while. If you look at Rogue One, it’s a much more gritty and very realistic-looking world and Rebels is a much more, when it starts out, colorful world. I’ve been slowly adapting, because I’ve been in the know, so that as we get closer to each other, things are going to naturally line up.”
“They have no idea we’re coming.” – Jyn
Jyn, Cassian, and K-2SO infiltrating an Imperial facility to steal the Death Star plans. “…Rebel spies managed to steal secret plans to the Empire’s ultimate weapon, the DEATH STAR” –Episode IV opening crawl
Chirrut and Baze on Eadu as X-wings begin their attack.
“Take hold of this moment!” “The Force is strong.” – Chirrut Imwe
Edrio Two Tubes and more of Saw Gerrera’s rebel fighters on Jedha.
Former assassin Baze watching spiritual warrior Chirrut’s back.
Note the crashed X-wing. We have also seen captured Rebel pilots marched through the streets of this Jedha city.
“Make ten men feel like a hundred.” – Cassian
The context of this line isn’t clear, but the edit of the trailer makes it seem like he is referring to the Force.
X-wings attacking the Eadu base and Cassian working on the ground. This may be where the team makes their final stand. I believe this comes after the battle on Scarif, when they already have the plans.
Chirrut shooting his energy crossbow on Scarif, making Chewie jealous. No way he doesn’t use the Force, despite what his Databank says. He may not be able to do everything the Jedi can do, but this isn’t a normal skill for a blind man. “Though he lacks Force abilities, this warrior monk has rigorously honed his body through intense physical and mental discipline.” Riiiight.
“We will take the next chance. And the next.” – Jyn
Former Imperial pilot Bodhi Rook gathering his courage on Scarif. Perhaps he is sacrificing himself for the cause as we see this ship exploding in other trailers.
From the official Databank entry on Bodhi: “Ever practical, but highly anxious, Bodhi must gather his courage to bring the battle to the Empire.”
“Rebel spaceships, striking from a hidden base, have won their first victory against the evil Galactic Empire.” –Episode IV opening crawl
X-wings and other Rebel ships attacking an orbiting station or satellite of some kind above Scarif.
K-2SO flying a ship on Eadu. This doesn’t bode well for pilot Bodhi’s chances…
Imperial ship firing at, or over, Cassian and Jyn. This may be K-2SO saving them.
“You’re all rebels, aren’t you?” – Jyn
Jyn justifying her actions against the Empire to rebels who question her methods? It seems she may have been with Saw’s extremist rebels at one point, possibly even raised by him. Forest Whitaker told Entertainment Weekly: “He’s really close to her, and they have a very powerful relationship.”
Jedha’s plateau city being destroyed by a small test of the Death Star’s power? Bodhi Rook is witnessing the destruction of his home (also the home of Chirrut and Baze).
Our first good look at Vader as he appears in the film. A shot very reminiscent of The Empire Strikes Back.
It’s hard to tell, but I believe they matched the look of Vader’s robe in A New Hope, the only time it went over the shoulder armor, and my preferred look.
Galen on the ground with a menacing figure looking down on him. I believe it is an angry Krennic over a wounded Galen, but my crazy theory sense wants it to be a partially unmasked Vader.
“Save the rebellion! Save the dream.” – Saw Gerrera
Saw Gerrera imploring Jyn to succeed in her mission. Notice that the structure seems to be collapsing behind him. This is likely during the destruction of Jedha, and it doesn’t look like Saw is making an effort to escape.
Great shot of the U-wing and AT-ACT walker on Scarif. Note the burning AT-ACT in the background, and the open cargo door of the one on the far right. Only $299.99, kids!
Chirrut and Baze running from an AT-ACT foot!
This film is going to be great!
Till next time, may the Force be with you.
REALLY good stuff, Chris. I’m going to try and lighten the Galen on the ground image – very intriguing about an unmasked Vader – possibly connected to the bacta tank?
couple things i would like to point out, in the orginal trilogy, mon mothma stated that many bothins died to bring them the plans, so i really hope there are bothins in this movie. also i wonder if the character Chirrut was inspired by or a version of jedi master zao. he survives the purge and goes “were he is needed by the will of the force”. either way itll be great
This may blow your mind, but there were two different Death Stars. When Mon Mothma talked about Bothans, that was in Return of the Jedi. If you carefully rewatch the movies, you will note that the Death Star from Rogue One was destroyed in A New Hope which took place prior to Return of the Jedi.