Category Archives: Rogue One

More ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ Visual Effects Secrets Revealed

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Via abcnews.go.com:

Industrial Light and Magic has released another clip breaking down the visual effects of “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.”

This time, the effect-makers are pulling back the curtain on how artists created a digital version of Wilhuff Tarkin —- an Imperial baddie originally played by the late Peter Cushing in 1977’s “Star Wars A New Hope.”

It’s the latest in a series of “breakdown” clips that the legendary visual effects company cranked out in the last few days showcasing its work on three films nominated for Academy Awards: “Rogue One,” “Doctor Strange” and “Deepwater Horizon.”

Of course, fans can also check out other recent behind-the-scenes stories on the creation of Tarkin and Princess Leia, the droid K-2SO and classic “Star Wars” spaceships for “Rogue One”.

Lucasfilm, the production company behind “Star Wars,” is owned by ABC News’ parent company, Disney.

Star Wars Artists Reveal 2 Rogue One Changes

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Via Movieweb.com:

Reshoots have become quite commonplace among big budget movies lately, with most productions building these additional days of principal photography into the schedule before filming even starts. The box office blockbuster Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is no different, and while rumors persisted that the ending was changed considerably, LucasFilm’s Pablo Hidalgo revealed in December that the ending always remained the same. Today we have word from some of the concept artists who worked on the film, about some of the details that did change during the reshoot process. If you still haven’t seen Rogue One: A Star Wars Story yet, there will be SPOILERS below, so read on at your own risk.

The Star Wars Hyperdrive Tumblr has a rundown from a recent event at London’s Gosh comic book shop, where Rogue One costume designers Glyn Dillon and Dave Crossman, as well as concept artists Adam Brockbank, Matt Allsopp, Vincent Jenkins, Jon Mccoy and Will Htay spoke about The Art of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story book and the movie itself. During this Q&A session, it was revealed that the iconic character Saw Gerrera (Forest Whitaker) was originally supposed to be on another planet. The artists revealed designs for both an ice planet, with designs that featured Snowtroopers and a different jungle planet, as seen in the first teaser, considered to be used as Saw’s home.

Eventually, those ideas were scrapped in favor of Saw Gerrera making his home on the holy planet of Jedha. The other major change was actually redesigned in the span of just a few hours. After spending two months on the citadel tower seen on Scarif, their work was completely scrapped and they had to redesign the tower in just two hours. While the artists didn’t clarify if the reshoots were responsible for this last-minute re-design or not, it’s possible that this additional photography played a role in Scarif tower’s new look.

The designers also mentioned that they wanted to use transport vehicles known as “CRAB-AT’s,” which resemble actual crabs, but they went with AT-ACT vehicles because they looked more familiar to fans. They spoke about not going “overboard” with new designs, which lead to a “conscious decision” to not introduce too many “new designs” into the film. The designers also added that they didn’t have the budget to use a tank, so they designed a “hover tank” around a real tank they had at their disposal. The designers also revealed that they were on set during the Darth Vader scene, with the concept artist working on different sketches while filming was under way.

The costume designers revealed that they have a bulk of Army surplus material to work with, which they used to create that “classic Star Wars feeling mixing otherworldly and worldly designs.” They also added that they would constantly look at the work of iconic Star Wars designer Ralph McQuarrie and storyboard designer Joe Johnston who they called the “unsung hero” of the franchise. They both created the “language” for Star Wars by bouncing ideas off one another during the original trilogy. The Art of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story book is currently available for purchase, if you want to see all of these designs for yourself.

MADS MIKKELSEN TALKS ROGUE ONE

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Via Ign.com:

IGN chatted with actor Mads Mikkelsen on the phone this morning to discuss the forthcoming Blu-ray release of Doctor Strange, during which time we also got to ask him some more specific and slightly SPOILERISH post-release questions about Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

Here’s what Mikkelsen had to say about which of his scenes in Rogue One were part of the much talked about reshoots, the prospect of possibly revisiting the character of Imperial scientist Galen Erso in a different Star Wars project, and more.

Again, some minor spoilers follow.

IGN: Now that we’ve all seen the film, were any of your scenes part of the reshoots and if so can you explain what specifically was changed?

Mads Mikkelsen: I had one day of reshoots, and that was just basically just a few shots on a big platform when it was raining and I see my daughter again when she’s grown up, and that was mostly just technical stuff, and a little story thing just to clarify the story a little bit more. And that’s what the reshoots are for, and I think that’s quite normal. I had one day and I know other people had more, but you really never get that chance very often, to see the film and go, ‘You know guys, we could have a little better or a little clearer.’ We never get that chance, and I think it’s a beautiful thing that we were able to go back and do that.

IGN: There was a Star Wars book called Catalyst that explored the Galen/Krennic backstory. Did you read the book and would you like the opportunity to maybe ever depict some of that? Or Galen’s years with the Empire?

Mikkelsen: I think it’s a very interesting and valid point. You know, the Star Wars films have always been about dealing with the Rebellion, the people that are fighting the Empire. But it’s actually very interesting to go and see the people who actually are in the Empire, and I’m one of them. And surprisingly enough, the people of the Empire have families, and wives and daughters that they love. You know, they are the other guys we don’t know so much about. And I think it would be interesting to you know, to make a film about the people of the Empire. Who are they, and why? Are they evil? Or do they believe in something greater.

IGN: Well, there is always the chance for Galen to pop up in Rebels at one point, because of the show’s time frame. Would you be interested in that?

Mikkelsen: I’m game for it man, it’d be tricky, but I’d give it a shot.

‘Rogue One’ Gets Nine Empire Award Nominations

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Via Empireonline.com:

We asked, you answered and the nominations for the 2017 Three Empire Awards are now in, with Rogue One taking the lead. Gareth Evans’ Star Wars story scoops a total of nine nominations, including Best Film and Best Actress for Felicity Jones. Meanwhile, despite having been roundly snubbed by the Academy, Amy Adams’ outstanding performance in Arrival saw her land a well-earned nomination for Best Actress.

Like Adams, The Merc With A Mouth, saw scant love from most of the awards bodies but Deadpool received the recognition it deserves from Empire readers, landing a total of five nominations, including Best Actor for Ryan Reynolds.

You can see the full list of nominees below, but it’s not over yet! The second round of voting now begins in earnest, so scroll down, cast your votes and help decide who will be showered in glory when the Awards take place on Sunday 19 March.

Click below to see the full article.

JIMMY SMITS ON ROGUE ONE

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Via Rottentomatoes.com:
Smits spoke with Rotten Tomatoes recently about his role in the new series and about returning to the role of Bail Organa for 2016 blockbuster Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which so successfully provided connective tissue between the Star Wars prequels and the original trilogy.

RT: There were reshoots to Rogue One. Did you do any different versions of your scenes, like when you say, “I trust her with my life?”

Smits: No. That was one of the reasons why I did it, because that little scene there meant a lot to me. I’m so happy that the film has done well, because it meant a lot, I think, to the franchise to do this whole thing that the standalone films would be just as substantive and good as the others, so that they can have a life themselves.

YN 13 YEAR Giveaway #2 – The 13 Year Hunt

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This idea was sent in by a reader back in 2010 and we did it again last year for our 12 year anniversary, and it’s always fun and has a great response! It won’t be for everyone, but it will be fun for those who choose to take part.

The first thing you need to do is print out the main 13 year logo below, you will need to include this in ALL photos to verify they are your photos and taken for this giveaway. On most computers you can simply right click and print it, you can also click here for the URL to just the image for those printing from a mobile phone or device.

Okay, now look at the list of 13 obscure items below. Find each of the items you need, gather what is needed or go to a location, place the logo you printed out in front of them and take a picture. Once you have all 13 done, email the images to us at YodasnewsAnniversary@gmail.com with the subject “13 Year Hunt” – We WILL be sharing some of the pictures online and on social media, so make sure what is in your photos is okay for the public to see.

THE LIST 

1)   A receipt, food order, sign, address, subway train number, flight, etc…showing 1138

2)  A Star Wars branded grocery item

3)  Picture of you playing in a park or playground with Star Wars toys

4)  Picture of a store Star Wars display

5)  You in the gym (or home made gym) working out with a star wars costume on, with a lightsaber, etc.. 

6)  Create your own Happy Anniversary message (can be a sign, a drawing, a sculpture, anything you want)

7)  Store receipt with an “embarrassing” item on it

8)  Picture of how you browse Yodasnews.com 

9)  A Pet or pet of a friend

10) Sign or Product with something spelled incorrectly

11) In a store/mall/shopping center

12) In front of a Rogue One Movie Poster

13) Yoda Toy/Figure/Plush

There will be TWO Winners (and it is possible for the same person to win both).

The Early Bird Prize – The first person that sends in all 13 photos that are in the proper format wins a $40 Gift Card to BBTS, they are still eligible for the grand prize. We will be sharing all 13 images from the Early Bird winner, this will help others to see how it’s done! You can also click here  to see the 2016 Early Bird winners images!

Grand Prize (25 total items) – 10 Random 3 3/4″ Hasbro Action Figures from multiple lines, 2 Marvel 2015 Star Wars #1 Hasbro Toyfair Previews Exclusive Cover, 1 Hasbro Star Wars Black Series Sergeant Jyn Erso 6 Inch Figure,  10 Topps Yoda Connexions 1st Edition chips, 1 Acme Archives Star Wars Clone Wars Asajj Ventress Character Key,  and 1 Star Wars Science Item from Uncle Milton.

We will pick one random person from all the people who find all items or locations and send in 13 correct photos (early bird winner is eligible and part of the random pool the grand prize will be selected from). You must send in all your pictures before 11:59pm EST on 2/7/16.The random winner will get all 25 items listed above under Grand Prize.

Recap, you need to send 13 unique pictures and each one must include the logo above and be an actual picture – no google images or Photoshop is allowed. Have Fun and always be SAFE when taking your images!  As with all our giveaways, please click here to read the Terms and Conditions of entering our giveaways, that are located at the bottom of that page. 

 

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Is Now the Second Highest Grossing Film Of 2016

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Via Comicbookmovie.com:

It took quite some time, but Rogue One: A Star Wars Story has finally surpassed Finding Dory to become the second highest grossing film of 2016. Read on for the complete box office breakdown!…

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story made $5.2 million domestically this past weekend and $14 million overseas this past week, and this was enough to push the film to yet another box office milestone. The current domestic total now stands at $520 million and the current overseas total at $513 million. Together this makes an overall worldwide cume of $1.033 billion which means the Star Wars flick has surpassed Finding Dory’s $1.028 billion. Pretty impressive, right?

Box office experts now say that Rogue One could finish at around the $1.06-1.07 billion mark. Obviously, this means that Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War will remain the worldwide box office champion of 2016 despite Rogue One claiming the domestic crown by more than $110 million.

Here is the complete list of Top 10 Highest Grossing Films of 2016 as a reminder:

1. Captain America: Civil War ($1.153 billion)
2. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story ($1.033 billion)
3. Finding Dory ($1.028 billion)
4. Zootopia ($1.023 billion)
5. The Jungle Book ($966 million)
6. The Secret Life of Pets ($875 million)
7. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice ($873 million)
8. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them ($809 million)
9. Deadpool ($783 million)
10. Suicide Squad ($745 million)

Interview With Rogue One Sound Editors

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Via Slashfilm.com:

Last week, I got an opportunity to chat with Rogue One: A Star Wars Story supervising sound editors Matthew Wood and Christopher Scarabosio about their work on the film. During the conversation, they revealed their secret voice cameos in the film and a bunch of auditory Rogue One Easter eggs that you probably missed, and much, much more.

Matt, you have done voices for some of the Star Wars films. You’ve voiced Bib Fortuna, General Grievous, Battle Droids, Ello Asty, Quiggold and many others. Did you have a voice cameo in Rogue One?

Matthew: Yeah, I did. In fact, Chris and I both did to be quite honest. In Rogue One I played the voice of the character Pao. I also did some Stormtrooper voices. And I also was the voice of anything Deathtrooper related. All the weird sort of encrypted dialect that’s coming out of the Deathtrooper’s voices to make that scary sound, that was my voice.

That’s awesome. And, Chris, who did you play?

Christopher: I was the Houjix guy.

Matthew: Saw’s guys are playing Dejarik holo-chess, and Chris is the guy gets a Yahtzee.

Christopher: Yeah, basically the guy throwing the dice and playing the game and he throws the die, and he reacts to it, and he’s very excited, and rest of the players are kind of like oh… So the appropriate thing we determined after checking with the people who makes these things was Houjix.

Matthew: We did consult with the Lucasfilm Story Group, and that was the name of the piece, the Houjix. You know, all those pieces in that original chess game on the Millennium Falcon hologram holo chess have names, and that was the name of the chess piece that had fallen down right there. So he yells out Houjix.

Click below to read the full article.