With the news that Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, the first standalone film in the smash-hit sci-fi franchise, will be the closing-night film at the 2016 Dubai International FIlm Festival, we look back at the evolution of Star Wars from the release of George Lucas’s groundbreaking Episode IV: A New Hope in 1977 to the present day, what we can expect from the latest movie, and what the future might hold for our heroes in a galaxy far, far away.
A long time ago, in 1977, moviegoers were introduced to the heroes and villains in a galaxy far, far away when George Lucas's Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. The movie introduced us to heroic Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), roguish Han Solo (Harrison Ford), feisty Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) and super villain Darth Vader and loveable droids R2-D2 and C-3PO, all of whom became cultural icons for multiple generations. Two sequels followed – The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983) – and then a prequel trilogy: The Phantom Menace (1999), Attack of the Clones (2002) and Revenge of the Sith (2005).
In 2012, having completed six of what had long been rumoured to be his nine-film Star Wars series, Lucas sold his Lucasfilm operation, and with it the rights to the Star Wars franchise, to the Disney corporation. Although fans had misgivings, Disney quickly announced that Episodes VII, VIII and IX were coming soon. In addition, a number of stand-alone movies were announced, which would become known as the Star Wars Anthology set in the Star Wars universe and telling other related stories not covered by the nine films in the main series.
The deserts of Abu Dhabi stood in for the planet Jakku during filming of Episode VII: The Force Awakens, directed by J J Abrams, and in December 2015 an audience in the capital was one of the first in the world to see the film, which had its regional premiere at Emirates Palace. The glitzy event was attended by local dignitaries, industry professionals and, of course, plenty of stormtroopers. There was also an after-party, which included an exhibition of props and costumes from the Abu Dhabi shoot – including loveable new droid BB-8.
In April 2016, the first trailer was unveiled for the first Anthology movie, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The movie is set in the period between Episode III: Return of the Jedi and Episode IV: A New Hope, and tells the story of the mission carried out by embattled rebels to steal the plans for the Empire's devastating Death Star – the blueprints for which were hidden by Princess Leia inside R2-D2 in A New Hope. The movie stars Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything, Inferno) as rebel Jyn Erso and introduces a host of new characters, including Diego Luna as Rebel Alliance intelligence officer Diego Luna and Riz Ahmed as Bodhi Rook, a defector from the Empire. In addition, Forrest Whitaker as veteran Saw Gerrera, a character that first appeared in the animated TV Star Wars spin-off The Clone Wars.
One of the most exciting things in the Rogue One trailer was a brief appearance by Darth Vader, who died at the end of Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy had previously confirmed that James Earl Jones would return to provide the villain's voice, but that 80-year-old David Prouse would not be back to put on the suit.
Speaking to The National in October 2016, Rogue One star Felicity Jones said the role of Erso was a little different to any she had played before. "It's a very unusual experience when someone is shouting: 'OK, now act like you're in hyperspace' – and you're going: 'Well, how do you act in hyperspace?'" she said. "But that's the charm with Star Wars and having adventures in a galaxy far, far away. It's nice to do things that are different and refreshing."
Jones also told us that she is not sure what to expect from the increased level of fame that is sure to follow her leading role in what is almost certain to be the biggest movie of the year. “Am I ready for that fame? No, of course not, not at all. I don’t know how you can be ready for that,” she said. “There’s a bit of responsibility involved, I guess, when you make the decision to take these films on and you do them and people are going to watch them, and hopefully enjoy them. I’m just going along for the ride and taking each day as it comes.”
When we pointed out to her that Rogue One's release date was conveniently close to the Dubai International Film Festival, and she had not made it to Dubai in 2015 for the opening gala screening of her film The Theory of Everything. At that point we did not know for sure that Rogue One would be part of the festival, but we asked whether she would like to make up for missing out in 2015 by hitting the red carpet in 2016. "I'd love to, that would be great yeah – I've never been actually," she said. "That's what's so great about being in this world is you get to go to all these amazing places and travel, so yeah, I'd totally be keen to do that."
A final 30-second teaser for Rogue One was unveiled on YouTube on November 20, revealing the desperation that drives the rebels to launch their mission steal the Death Star plans. When asked what chance they have of stealing the plans from the all-powerful Empire, Jones’ Erso responds: “The question is what choice to do we have?”
The UAE’s blossoming relationship with Star Wars and Disney continues, as fans are treated to an early Christmas present for a second year running – after the regional premiere of Episode VII: The Force Awakens in 2015, Rogue One will close the Dubai International Film Festival on December 14, 2016, ahead of its global release that weekend.
