Great Costumes in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

(Lucasfilm)

Mission Intergalactic: Rogue Vader

By Shrey Sankalp

Today we talk about the first Star Wars anthology film, which succeeds the mammoth The Force Awakens.

Let’s get two things right out of the way: Firstly, that was a bad, bad attempt at wordplay and if you’re still reading, thank you. Secondly, with semi-apologies out of the way, you’re wondering why I’m bothering to “educate” you about Star Wars, and hey, you’re not entirely wrong (I mean let’s face it, someone who’s reading this on the Wonder Costumes blog is clearly well versed with the galaxy far, far away, and probably already has booked their costume of choice for Halloween, or the premiere of Rogue One, just like the costume they bought for the The Force Awakens premiere), but let me tell you something old chap – today, there will be no educating, but rather, we’ll be talking about the film. You know, discuss and stuff.

(Lucasfilm)

So Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (the first and last time I mention that title in its entirety) is directed by Mr. Gareth Edwards (who developed 2014’s excellent, if a bit divisive Godzilla) featuring stunning ensemble comprised of Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Forest Whitaker, Riz Ahmed, Mads Mikkelsen and Alan Tudyk among others (really, there are a lot of people in it) and is developed from a script by Chris Weitz and the supremely talented Tony Gilroy. Unlike the bright and colorful costumed adventures dominating the other films in the franchise, Rogue One is a very mature and gritty story that centers on a group of Rebel spies tasked with stealing the Galactic Empire’s new weapon, the Death Star. If that synopsis befuddled you, let me clear it up – Rogue One might be releasing after The Force Awakens, but it’s a standalone adventure that serves as a prequel to A New Hope. Before you throw up in disgust at the mention of the word prequel and run, allow me to assuage your fears – this is an immediate prequel, and George Lucas isn’t anywhere near it. Two things make Rogue One unique: First, it’s the first film in the franchise to not focus on the Skywalker family (around whom the galaxy revolved so strongly, they might as well have been the space Kardashians) and that’s most certainly going to be welcome. Secondly, from the footage and photos released so far, Rogue One finally looks like it’s going to put the ‘war’ in Star Wars, because as much as I love TIE fighter shootouts and the battle at Hoth, we’re yet to see the full impact of this galactic war as it should be and is implied to be, and Rogue One looks like it’s finally going to give us that. With the director of Godzilla and the writer of the Bourne films, I except nothing less.

(Lucasfilm)

One thing the footage really impressed me with, was the visual style. I abhor the overuse of CGI in the prequel trilogy, and the props, costumes and puppets of the original trilogy are beginning to show their age, but as well as The Force Awakens restored the looks of the older costumes and props with a blend of practical design and CGI, it still felt like an homage to the original trilogy, which is not a bad thing, but it just recreates the look and feel of the original trilogy. Rogue One tells a story outside of the original or the prequel trilogy, and as such really impressed me with the direction it has taken with handheld camera work and a gritty aesthetic about everything from the sets to the costumes, because as much as I love a pristine shiny white Stormtrooper costume, that costume wouldn’t be as pretty during a war, and Rogue One actually goes there by showing a banged up costume and making the costume look battle worn. The best part is that it is consistent with all the new costume designs introduced for the new Stormtroopers!

But when we put all of the above aside for a second, something that has adversely affected the film is he negativity surrounding the films alleged rewrites by Christopher McQuarrie and reshoots by Tony Gilroy. Let me just say it – reshoots happen all the time, and as a Disney executive clarified, the reshoots are to make the tone more consistent with the first film (because you know, it’s a direct lead-in?) and that’s a very valid reason, isn’t it? Plus, Disney handles their MCU and Pixar divisions with aplomb, so I’d say they know what they’re doing. Relax ‘trooper, this is still going to be your Star Wars, just with a little more grit and more banged-up costumes. Good time to show the scratches accumulated over time on your costume, eh?

PS. - Yep, Darth Vader’s in it, so do break out your Vader costume!