The most nervous director in Hollywood right now might just be Gareth Edwards. With huge expectations weighing on his shoulders with “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” and slightly beaten up this summer as word of extensive reshoots dogged the film, the filmmaker is taking solace in the nostalgic feeling he’s enjoying just being able to work on the first official spinoff from the saga.
“Even though there’s a lot of pressure on this movie, it’s really impossible to feel it because it reminds you so much of when you grew up and when you felt most comfortable,” he told EW. “It’s hard to get intimidated when you can constantly look left and see a Stormtrooper or look right and see an X-Wing. It just feels like you’re at home again.”
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Indeed, audiences will those and the return of Darth Vader in the prequel to “Star Wars,” which follows Felicity Jones‘ Jyn Erso leading the Rebellion as they embark on a heist to the steal the plans for the Death Star. However, what you won’t necessarily see are Jedi.
“Something that’s a very obvious departure on this picture is that we really have no Jedi,” executive producer and special effects supervisor John Knoll said. “This takes place in a time that’s after the Jedi purge in ‘Episode III‘ and before Obi-Wan reemerges and starts training Luke, and before Yoda gets involved. So this is a dark time when things are very bleak and the Jedi have not come back.”
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However, the spirit of resistance still remains strong. “In that era, there are still brave people who are doing heroic acts, who don’t have those Force powers, who still fight and die for the cause of good,” Knoll added. “And I think, I want to hear some of those stories. What are these people who are the more ordinary citizens of the galaxy who see outrageous acts occurring and feel like they have to take up arms against the status quo to, you know, fight for good.”
It’s all intriguing stuff, and we’ll find out much more when the film opens on December 16th. Check out some new images below.