There is little doubt that Rogue One: A Star Wars Story was completely different from just about every Star Wars movie out there. After all, the film didn't focus on any established character from the franchise and instead highlighted the efforts of a band of nobodies. Nevertheless, the standalone flick was loved by fans and director Gareth Edwards wouldn't have it any other way.
Gareth Edwards himself came out of nowhere and just suddenly found himself directing a Star Wars movie. Speaking to Variety, the Creator director reflected on his experience working on Rogue One and how it affected his entire career.
"Look, the only thing I can say is I was incredibly lucky," Edwards said. "I got to make a Star Wars film. I won the lottery, in that sense. The idea of someone as privileged as me in any way implying that it was anything other than the amazing experience that it was to some extent – like, I don’t have any empathy for that person, and I don’t want to be that person either."
Although Edwards didn't mention anything there, it is implied that he is referring to screenwriter Tony Gilroy who reportedly took over the Rogue One reshoots. Gilroy's involvement was never confirmed by Lucasfilm but it is suggested since most of the scenes from the film's first trailer never appeared in the final theatrical cut.
Interestingly, Edwards further commented on working on something where he is not fully in charge. "The way you make a film is as important as its screenplay. I would take full control over the process and a mediocre screenplay over a really good screenplay and zero control over the process," he said.
Rogue One is noted for its darker tone and despite this, the film had grossed over $1 billion worldwide. It would go on to become the 20th-highest-grossing film of all time and the second-highest-grossing film of 2016. Additionally, the Star Wars flick received two Academy Award nominations for Best Sound Mixing and Best Visual Effects.
The prequel film, which focused on the group of rebels who band together to steal plans of the Death Star, would get its own prequel in Andor. The Disney+ series followed Cassian Andor five years before the events in Rogue One. Andor is currently set for a second season which is expected to premiere on Disney+ next year.
