History Trivia / RogueOne

* YouSoundFamiliar: In the French dub, Darth Vader started being voiced by Philippe Catoire with this film. He previously dubbed Tion Medon in ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith''.

** Creator/ForestWhitaker portrays the live-action Saw Gerrera in this film in lieu of his voice voice actor from ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars'' Andrew Kishino. Understandable, given how Saw is in his twilight years and is a barely functional shell of who he used to be.

** Creator/JamesEarlJones voiced Darth Vader once again.

** According to Pablo Hidalgo, Mon Mothma's wig was a Weasley wig from the Harry Potter.

* ActorInspiredElement

* PropRecycling: The CGI models used for several Rebellion background ships (the Hammerhead corvettes, the [[http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Braha%27tok-class_gunship Braha'tok gunship]], and [[spoiler:the ''Ghost'' [[TheCameo herself]]]]) were the same digital assets from ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsRebels'' with a photorealistic skin applied.

* RoleReprise

* TroubledProduction: The extent of the problems have been kept vague, but it is acknowledged that much of the story structure was rebuilt in reshoots long after principle photography. The theory is that Creator/GarethEdwards was aiming for a more documentary style and early cuts were not working to the studios satisfaction, and Creator/TonyGilroy took over director duties to overhaul the story (resulting in a number of {{Missing Trailer Scene}}s). To their credit both men have admitted to the collaborative process and view the final film as the best outcome they could have gotten.
* WhatCouldHaveBeen
** Creator/BrieLarson, Creator/TatianaMaslany, Creator/RooneyMara, and Creator/KateMara screen-tested for the part of Jyn Erso before Creator/FelicityJones was cast.
** Creator/AaronPaul, Creator/SamClaflin, and Creator/EdgarRamirez auditioned for the role of Cassian Andor before the casting of Creator/DiegoLuna.

* IKnewIt:
** Many people figured out that Darth Vader would be one of the main villains of the film long before it was [[http://www.ew.com/article/2016/06/22/star-wars-rogue-one-cover officially announced]]. Many also correctly guessed that he'd be the person inside the bacta tank which was shown in the first trailer.
** ''Rebels'' fans concluded that if Cassian is a member of Alliance Intelligence and has a history of recruiting people into the Rebellion, then he must've been a Fulcrum informant. AllThereInTheManual confirmed this is indeed the case.
** While the theory that the Death Star's design flaw was [[spoiler:done on purpose]] existed before ''Rogue One'' was even announced, many fans correctly speculated that [[AscendedFanon the film would confirm it]].
** Upon the revelation that prior to Season 3 of Rebels Recon (the recap show for ''Rebels'' on [=YouTube=]) that Chopper was sent to England during the hiatus, due to apparently not being sent over for Celebration London, people started theorizing that he was going to show up in ''Rogue One'' as a [[TheCameo cameo]]. [[FreezeFrameBonus Watch and listen]] [[MeaningfulBackgroundEvent carefully]].
** Fans correctly guessed that [[spoiler:the ''Ghost'' would get some sort of cameo as being a part of the Rebel fleet, with the most likely character to appear or be mentioned alongside it being Hera]].
** A lot of people guessed that [[spoiler: most if not all of the main characters would die.]]

* PlayingAgainstType: Galen's Japanese VA, Masahiko Tanaka, who is well-known for voicing villains or outright jerkasses, being his most famous role was voicing the AxCrazy mercenary [[LightNovel/FullMetalPanic Gauron]], but here plays a loving dad who was forced to work for the Empire.

* TroubledProduction: The extent of the problems have been kept vague, but it is acknowledged that much of the story structure was rebuilt in reshoots long after principle photography. The theory is that Creator/GarethEdwards was aiming for a more documentary style and early cuts were not working to the studios satisfaction, and Creator/TonyGilroy took over director duties to overhaul the story (resulting in a number of MissingTrailerScenes). To their credit both men have admitted to the collaborative process and view the final film as the best outcome they could have gotten.

* InvisibleAdvertising: The Chinese release of the film surprisingly lacked promotion leading up to its premiere in spite of the presence of Donnie Yen and Jiang Wen. This is most likely a result of [[BannedInChina government influence]] adversely affecting the movie's promotion, as the Communist government does not look too kindly upon the prospect of a movie promoting people rebelling against their government.

* TheOriginalDarrin: After being voiced by Creator/PhilLaMarr in ''WesternAnimation/TheCloneWars'', Jimmy Smits returns to portray Bail Organa for the first time since ''Videogame/TheForceUnleashed''.

** Grand Moff Tarkin in the Spaniard dub was voiced by Jordi Ribes as Tarkin's original voice actor, José Luis Sansalvador, passed away in 2006. However, for [[spoiler:Leia's only quote]] at the end of the film, [[spoiler:María Luisa Solá]] did not reprise and was replaced by a younger actress (Nerea Alfonso) too.

** Creator/AlexandreDesplat was the film's original composer, but was replaced by Creator/MichaelGiacchino after the film was extensively reshot, as Desplat was no longer available to score the new footage.

** Cassian Andor is listed as 26, but Creator/DiegoLuna was 35-36 at the time of shooting. The prequel series ''Series/{[Andor}}'' {{Retcon}}s Cassian's backstory and ages him up by seven years, making him 33 at the time of the film's events and retroactively averting this trope.

* DawsonCasting:

** Cassian Andor is listed as 26, but Creator/DiegoLuna was 36 at the time of shooting.

* WordOfSaintPaul: In [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=843mH3FlRWs an interview for the Vanity Fair YouTube channel,]] Creator/DiegoLuna claims that Cassian Andor is a great cook whose specialty is chilaquiles[[note]]a dish of fried strips of corn tortillas cooked in salsa and topped with cheese that is specific to Luna's native Mexico[[/note]]. (Supposedly, Luna himself is a bit of a hobbyist cook and makes a mean chilaquiles himself.) This tidbit has zero bearing on the movie, but fans have naturally latched onto it, and many depictions of Cassian in fanfic will at least mention him cooking. This would later get a bit of a reference six years later in the prequel series ''Series/{{Andor}}'', where it's mentioned that a sixteen-year-old Cassian was a camp cook in a military operation on Mimban.

* WordOfSaintPaul: In [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=843mH3FlRWs an interview for the Vanity Fair YouTube channel,]] Creator/DiegoLuna claims that Cassian Andor is a great cook whose specialty is chilaquiles[[note]]a dish of fried strips of corn tortillas cooked in salsa and topped with cheese that is specific to Luna's native Mexico[[/note]]. (Supposedly, Luna himself is a bit of a hobbyist cook and makes a mean chilaquiles himself.) This tidbit has zero bearing on the movie, but fans have naturally latched onto it, and many depictions of Cassian in fanfic will at least mention him cooking.

* ActorInspiredElement:

* RefittedForSequel:

* RoleReprise:

* WhatCouldHaveBeen:

* PlayingAgainstType:
** Creator/MadsMikkelsen is typically typecast as villains in American productions such as Le Chiffre in ''Film/{{Casino Royale|2006}}'', Hannibal Lecter in ''Series/{{Hannibal}}'', and Kaecilius in ''Film/DoctorStrange2016'' (ironically released by Disney through Marvel the previous month), yet here he is playing Jyn's father, Galen Erso, a hero being held against his will by the Empire. However, you can make the argument that he's not so much playing against this type as he is [[PlayingWithCharacterType playing ''with'' it]], as he is playing a scientist working for '''''THE''''' EvilEmpire...but is a [[TokenGoodTeammate much more heroic figure]] than many other figures in that faction.
** The same goes in the Japanese dub with Galen's Japanese VA, Masahiko Tanaka, who is well-known for voicing villains or outright jerkasses, being his most famous role was voicing the AxCrazy mercenary [[LightNovel/FullMetalPanic Gauron]].

* AuthorsSavingThrow:
** Many, ''many'' fans were worried that Disney picking up the franchise would mean that the franchise as a whole would suffer heavy {{Disneyfication}} and be LighterAndSofter kid stuff, especially those who haven't read or watched the new ExpandedUniverse material or paid attention to the success of the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse.[[note]]Ironically, that was one of the main criticisms of the prequel era, especially ''Film/ThePhantomMenace''.[[/note]] Even Disney's first entry ''Film/TheForceAwakens'', one of the darkest ''Star Wars'' movies to date, was considered by some to be light and family-friendly due to its optimistic tone and "reunion special" vibe. ''Rogue One'' is easily one of the darkest pieces to ever come out of the ''franchise'', let alone the film series, and has a very brutal scene of [[spoiler:Vader wordlessly hacking through a group of Rebel soldiers like [[Franchise/FridayThe13th Jason Voorhees]], not to mention having [[EverybodyDiesEnding all members of the Rogue One squadron die.]]]]
** The Death Star's often ridiculed design flaw has for decades been used as the main example for the Empire being a bunch of idiots that even the primitive Ewoks can defeat. This movie shows how much blood and sweat went into getting the info on that flaw, while also revealing that [[spoiler:the flaw was built on purpose by an inside man]].
** Similarly, the question of why the Empire were chasing after the plans in the first place is neatly addressed. Yes, it's clear the Empire wants to figure out what's wrong with the Death Star since the Rebels apparently believe they have information that will help them destroy it, but why not get the people in charge to analyze the station and find the weakness? This film explains it. Not only was the lead scientist, Galen Erso, sabotaging the thing and wouldn't be likely to talk had the Empire realized the bigger problem, but Krennic has Erso's entire team killed for what they thought was a smaller problem of conspiracy, and Erso himself is killed by the Rebel ships arriving on the scene. [[NiceJobFixingItVillain This reckless behavior on Krennic's part]] (well, [[NiceJobBreakingItHero and the miscommunication in the Rebellion]]) has the unintentional effect of forcing the Empire to defend, and later, track down the recorded copy of the plans, as reviewing them becomes the only way they could find the flaw and make the Death Star indestructible. On top of that, it also explains why the Empire can't just look at their archival copy of the plans to find the problem themselves: Tarkin blew said archives up.
** After 40 years of ''Star Wars'' being the go-to franchise for "[[ImperialStormtrooperMarksmanshipAcademy henchmen never hit]] [[PlotArmor main characters]]" jokes, Disney averts the trope with a vengeance by killing off [[spoiler: ''[[EverybodyDiesEnding every]]'' new character, hero and villain alike, who wasn't already SavedByCanon.]]
** On the other hand, in ''A New Hope'', the weak lightsaber duel between Vader and Obi-Wan has often been explained away by fans as being due to Ben's old age, Vader's crippling, and both characters being weaker than during the Republic era. However, a scene towards the end of this film shows Vader using quite a bit of his power to overcome a line of Rebels, showing that Vader wasn't weak at all. In this film, Vader's physical actions are still relatively slow, plodding, and deliberate. However, he exercises much more creative use of the Force than he manages in any version of the original trilogy in just a few short scenes. And despite the slower, deliberate lightsaber swings, there are clear remnants of Anakin Skywalker's fighting style in them.
** For the fans who'd grown tired of the franchise's perceived BlackAndWhiteMorality treatment concerning the Rebellion and the Empire, this film showing a far less savory side to the Rebel Alliance with their desperate situation driving them to some very shady actions is quite welcome.
** The Rebel soldiers' [[CurbStompBattle infamously poor showing]] in the opening of ''A New Hope'' against a Stormtrooper boarding party who [[ImperialStormtrooperMarksmanshipAcademy couldn't otherwise hit the broad side of a barn]] is probably the franchise's most infamous example of EarlyInstallmentWeirdness. This film fixes that seeming continuity problem by explaining what happened to those soldiers to make them so weak and demoralized: [[spoiler: Vader. ''[[OneManArmy Vader]]'' [[MookHorrorShow happened to them.]]]]
** Construction on the Death Star was revealed to have begun in the closing scenes of ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith''. Considering it would take nearly twenty years for the base to be completed by the time ''Film/ANewHope'' would take place, but only a handful of years to have an even larger, mostly completed and fully operational one in ''Film/ReturnOfTheJedi'', many fans were left scratching their heads. In the opening scene of this film, it was revealed that construction of the first Death Star was completed long before ''Film/ANewHope'', but -- due to Galen Erso's absence -- the Superlaser was not operational for many years, stalling the base's deployment.
** Fans of the prequel trilogy lamented the fact that ''Film/TheForceAwakens'' was filled with callbacks to the original trilogy while seemingly deliberately excluding the prequel trilogy, disappointing those who hoped that Disney would take some more of the better-received elements of the prequels into account. This film contains multiple easter eggs both to the prequel trilogy and the animated series ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars'' and ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsRebels'', with the presence of characters like Saw Gerrera and Bail Organa as well as some planets, ships, and vehicles. Not to mention, Creator/JimmySmits and Creator/GenevieveOReilly both returned to reprise their roles (Bail Organa and Mon Mothma, respectively) from ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith'', and Creator/JamesEarlJones once again lends his voice for Vader.

* CreatorBacklash:
** Subverted since he mainly thought it was funny, but Diego Luna was a little perturbed spending most of his time with Creator/AlanTudyk with Tudyk's crotch bulge directly in his eyeline.
** Another joking example with Ben Mendelsohn being disappointed he wasn't allowed to keep Krennic's blaster.

** Spencer Wilding replaces Creator/HaydenChristensen inside Darth Vader's iconic suit (Creator/JamesEarlJones still voices him however). Probably for the best as Christensen was a bit too short (6'1" compared with 6'6" Creator/DavidProwse) to fit comfortably in the costume, and also justified in the sense that he only donned the suit for ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith'' because Anakin was just shown being fitted with the life-support system, despairing over the death of his wife, and then watching the construction of the Death Star -- not seeing much action, in short. It also goes without saying that David Prowse, in his 80s at the time of filming, was too old and in not good enough shape to play the character at this point. Stuntman Daniel Naprous donned the costume for the action sequence Vader appears in.
** Creator/PeterCushing passed away in 1994 due to prostate cancer and Wayne Pygram (''Film/RevengeOfTheSith'') did not come back; Tarkin's face has been recreated through CGI with the body and voice of Creator/GuyHenry.