3. Big Blockbuster:
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Director: Gareth Edwards
Release Date: 15th December 2016
Budget: $200 Million
Box Office: $1.034 Billion
Rating: 12A
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action
Distribution Company: Disney
Production Company: Lucasfilm
4. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is not the first Star Wars film we
have seen, in fact it is the 9th Star Wars film to be released in
cinemas with many more to come.
Throughout the Star Wars series, there is a timeline that is
present throughout all of the films. This timeline is presented in
trilogy’s (three films) or in Standalone Anthology films. The films
released do not necessarily have to follow the timeline forwards,
as we have seen, the films jump forwards and backwards to give
us context and expand the Star Wars Universe.
For example, we were first given ‘A New Hope’ in 1977, which is
listed as Episode 4 in the series, shortly followed by ‘The Empire
Strikes Back’ and ‘Return of the Jedi’, Episodes 5 and 6.
Then in 1999, we were given the start of the Prequel Trilogy, ‘The
Phantom Menace’ which is Episode 1, followed by ‘Attack of the
Clones’ and then ‘Revenge of the Sith’ (Episodes 2 and 3)
Recently, a new Trilogy of films has started production, with the
first in the trilogy ‘The Force Awakens’ having been released in
December of 2015, titled as Episode 7 in the Star Wars Saga.
Background Information
5. So where does Rogue One fit into this
timeline?
Rogue One is what’s known as a
Standalone Anthology film, meaning it is
set in the Star Wars Universe, but follows
it’s own story and has a few connections
that relate it to the main Saga of films.
The film follows some unsung (rebel)
heroes on their quest to obtain the plans
for the Death Star in order to destroy it.
This places the film in between Episodes 3
and 4, ending right before ‘A New Hope’
begins. This doesn’t mean that this film
isn’t Canon though, as the film is
produced officially and approved by
George Lucas, the film fits in with the
others and is considered to have taken
place in the Star Wars Universe.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
6. The Star Wars Universe was created by George Lucas and first
brought to the screen on December 27th 1977.
Lucas first wanted to create a ‘Sci-Fi Space Opera’ in 1971,
having been inspired by watching T.V. Shows and Films like
Flash Gordon when he was a child. The film took 3 script re-
drafts over the space of 5 years before the fourth and final draft
was the one that was used in the first Star Wars film in 1977.
Lucas always struggled with dialogue so hired scriptwriters to
help him thicken out his story, however he had the creativity to
create entire universes, and his world building and character
creation was and still is amazing, as it has opened a whole
world of opportunities for people to create stories in his
universe, known as the Star Wars Expanded Universe (STEU)
He’s also a generous man and donated the majority of his money
from the films to charity.
George Lucas
7. Rogue One, like all other Star Wars films, put a lot of
emphasis and importance into Marketing their film and
getting the word out about the Film so that people will go
out and pay to watch the film on it’s initial release.
They released offers on tickets if consumers purchased
certain items/deals (in co-operation with other
companies), Star Wars Panels, billboards, bus shelter
posters, magazine articles as well as teaser trailers on
YouTube also helped to market the film.
As well as this, they also had deals with multiple large
companies such as Duracell, Nissan, Gillette, Verizon,
General Mills and Uber.
Cast and Crew members would also feature in interviews
in order to increase hype for the film.
Marketing Techniques
8. Because the Star Wars universe is so large and multiple films
had been created before releasing their own merchandise, this
meant a lot of merchandise had already been made for the film.
However, there were still opportunities for Rogue One exclusive
merchandise, such as action figures and toys as well as a large
clothing line.
Rogue One Merchandise
9. The marketing team for Rogue One
released 8 posters in the lead up to the
films release, featuring the eight main
characters of the film, all of the posters
have the same style to them, showing
(what looks like) the Death Star’s plans
being projected onto their faces. This was
a good way to advertise the film as it
allowed people to familiarise themselves
with the characters, as well as this,
consumers may be prompted to buy the
whole collection or multiple of the 8
posters too, which would help advertise
the film, as well as create profit.
Merchandise
10. The popular end battle
scenes on the planet
‘Scarif’ were actually
filmed in the Maldives.
Rogue One Filming The opening scene to
Rogue One, which was set
on the planet ‘Lah’mu’ was
actually filmed on location
in the south of Iceland.
Rogue One used a large
amount of practical effects,
on location sets as well as
digital effects added in
post.
The inside shots of the
Scarif Data Vault were
actually filmed inside the
Canary Wharf Station in
London.
11. Rogue One Trailer #1
Release Date: April 7th 2016
Platform: YouTube
Views: 44,062,455 (44+ Million)
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wji-BZ0oCwg
Trailers/Teasers/Interviews
Rogue One Trailer #2
Release Date: October 13th 2016
Platform: YouTube
Views: 23,986,629 (24 Million)
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sC9abcLLQpI
12. There are 1000s of results for ‘Rogue One
Interview’ on YouTube. There are exclusive
interviews with the cast and crew, where they
are asked all about filming, on and off set funny
moments, and general questions on how they
came to get the role.
The YouTube trailers are aimed at the younger,
generation because they have been posted on
YouTube where the majority of users are
teenagers. However, the film is targeted for all
ages as the original trilogy was released in
1977, so fans that grew up with Star Wars will
want to see the film.
Trailers/Teasers/Interviews
13. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is yet to receive it’s
own official game, however, there has been a DLC
(Downloadable Content) Pack for Star Wars
Battlefront. There is also a flash ‘Arcade’ game
available on the Disney Games Site.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J48gd0GZGWk
Games
The DLC allows players to play
as Jyn Erso and Orson Krennic.
As well as play on the new
Scarif Map with multiple new
gamemodes.
This increased profit as well as
gaining more consumers for the
game.
14. The film was nominated for multiple awards
including a BAFTA for ‘Best Make-up and Hair’
and ‘Best Achievement in Special Visual
Effects’. As well as being nominated for an
Oscar for ‘Best Achievement in Visual Effects’
and ‘Best Achievement in Sound Mixing’.
They also won multiple awards including
‘Motion Capture Performance’, ‘Best Visual
Effects’, ‘Best Sound Effects Editing’ and ‘Best
Movie Trailer’.
Awards
