Say What? Rogue One’s Ending Was Almost Completely Different!

I’ve said time and again that Rogue One A Star Wars Story is my favorite of all the Star Wars movies. I’ve watched it more times than I can count, built most LEGO ships from it, and push it on any who ask me about it. 

The story is memorable, touching, and is near perfect from start to finish. It brilliantly explains how the plans to the Death Star are gained by the Rebels and why the massive ship even has a weak point. Rogue One has some of the most beloved characters outside of the original trilogy and for good reason. Their stories are relatable and why each join the cause are the exact reasons that many of us would join. 

The characters are so beloved that some of them, Cassian Andor, is set to get his own spin-off television series. 

But what if the movie ended in a different way? Would that change how we feel about it?

Writer, Chris Weitz, has shared something very interesting.  “The version prior to [mine] didn’t have everyone die. As a matter of fact, it ended with a wedding. I think it was on the presumption that Disney wouldn’t allow characters to die with such abandon.” He then elaborates, “I felt it was necessary because nobody ever mentions them or sees them again. But also because we’ve done this whole sort of theme about sacrifice that it was appropriate that all of our main characters die.”

Imagine that? The movie ends with a wedding…

As far as I’m concerned, the movie ending exactly as it should’ve. By killing off all the characters who invaded Scarif Rogue One created a sense of sacrifice and importance to the Death Star plans that appeared in A New Hope. Just think of how differently A New Hope would’ve been without the sense of urgency created by Rogue One.

I, for one, am glad that Rogue One’s Ending was as it was.

Cheers,

Joel