Actor Riz Ahmed has been speaking about his key role in December’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The talented actor, whose role is currently unspecified, has ramped up the excitement in saying that fans should expect the unexpected from the next Star Wars movie, the first in a number of planned standalone projects.
The main plot in Rogue One follows a group of Rebel Soldiers who infiltrate the ranks of the Imperial Army to steal plans for the first Death Star. It is set inbetween the events of Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. Ahmed, who appeared in Nightcrawler and will also feature in this summer’s Jason Bourne, spoke with HeyUGuys.com about what to expect from the movie: “In a weird way, this hasn’t been like a machine. What Gareth Edwards is bringing to Rogue One is incredible, organic, loose, kind of a raw feeling. When Gareth speaks about Rogue One, he spoke about it in terms of a war movie. And he compares it to other War movies.
“What it will bring is a fresh pair of eyes on a familiar world. I think that is real exciting. We’re doing something a little different to the other films. And hopefully people are ready for that, and will embrace it,” he said.
“It’s been really cool. Because Star Wars is such a touchstone for cinema. It really has been for decades. It’s really cool to see them leading the way for diversity. I wouldn’t even call it diversity. I would call it honesty, really. They’re lining their films with a sign of the times we’re living in. Felicity has the lead role in Rogue One. And you have Diego Luna, Donnie Yen and Wen Jiang in there as well. It’s really cool to see that franchise lead the way, and bring us into line with reality a little more.”
Finally, Riz Ahmed discussed Rogue One’s director, Gareth Edwards. The filmmaker rebooted the Godzilla franchise and, according to Ahmed, will put a unique spin on the Star Wars universe.
“He’s such a down to earth, relaxed, normal dude with a wicked sense of humor. He doesn’t bring any ego to the table. It’s not like a big boss on set. He puts everyone at ease. Lets everyone relax. He creates a working environment where everyone can have some input, everyone can bring something to the table. He brings out the best in everyone. So, hopefully some of it stuck. And I look forward to it.”
The first Rogue One trailer is expected to be attached to Captain America: Civil War. Star Wars is owned by Disney, which also owns Marvel Studios, so there’s the connection for anyone who was unsure. Marketing-wise, it makes the most sense to place a teaser before one of Marvel and Disney’s most highly-anticipated films ever. With the audiences piling into cinemas in their millions, the audience for the Rogue One trailer will be maximised, not that an upcoming Star Wars movie will struggle to get noticed anyway.
Thanks to Squareeyed for the headsup
Irwin Fletcher
I'm an LA journalist who really lives for his profession. I have also published work as Jane Doe in various mags and newspapers across the globe. I normally write articles that can cause trouble but now I write for FTN because Nerds are never angry, so I feel safe.
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