Rogue One Connections to the Star Wars Saga

But the long-term success of the franchise rests in the stand-alone films because, if done right, they allow Lucasfilm to tell new stories, expand the galaxy and experiment with genres beyond the current plan of a new “Star Wars” movie every year until 2020.

ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY is directed by Gareth Edwards (“Godzilla”, “Monsters”) and produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Allison Shearmur (“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire”, “Cinderella”) and Simon Emanuel (“The Dark Knight Rises”, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Parts 1&2”).

Until now, the Death Star existed basically as a Star War’s joke.

Here’s a glimpse at how reviewers are taking to the newest tale of the space fantasy, which debuts with showings Thursday night. One of the hottest stars in Mexico, Luna takes his first major foray into the Star Wars Universe as a spy for the Rebel Alliance. First Star Wars movie came out on 1977 and last was on 2015 which was episode VII, Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Actor Wil Wheaton said he hadn’t loved a Star Wars movie as much since the original. “Rogue One” is a bold and stirring adventure film that will have both fans and casual observers spellbound. He saved some of his highest compliments for a final act that “plays like a sci-fi version of the Battle of Iwo Jima”. “But just also, scientifically, there is no Force”, he said.

Star Felicity Jones, from The Theory of Everything, is also among the English talent.

There isn’t universal praise, though.

She was raised by rebel leader Saw Gerrera (Forest Whitaker), but as the movie opens she hasn’t seen him in many years.

But the fact that these are all new characters – with no expectations, and no real assurances – allows the script by the very good Chris Weitz and Tony Gilroy (working from a story by John Knoll and Gary Whitta) to keep us on edge.

ONE of cinema’s most iconic villains returns to our screens on Thursday.

Some have called this chapter highly political, if not the most political in the franchise, but star Riz Ahmed thinks people may be projecting a little.

This characterization problem runs throughout the cast as everyone gets neat details, but rarely enough to invest in them as individuals.