Rogue One is set to cast a wider net on the known Star Wars universe. Telling the story before the events of Episode IV: A New Hope is fraught with dangers, as the ultimate outcomes are set in stone.

What Gareth Edwards and producer Kathleen Kennedy have done so well in this new Star Wars film is populate the story with great actors, who bring a compelling dynamic to the wider galaxy far, far away.

RELATED: ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ World Premiere Photo Gallery

Stefan Pape sat down with two of these fine actors today, Mads Mikkelsen and Ben Mendelsohn, who play the Imperial scientist Galen Erso and his domineering superior Director Krennic respectively.

The pair are firmly at the centre of the Rogue One storm, and if you’ve read the companion novel Catalyst by James Luceno (which acts as a direct prequel to Rogue One) you’ll know the complicated history the pair have before the events of this new film.

Their dynamic is crucial in not only bringing a human element to the Empire’s higher order, but also in engaging us quickly with a strong narrative early on. The film is a triumph incidentally, making fans of the saga giddy with joy while making good on Gareth Edwards’ promise to bring a darker, more realistic tone to the series.

During the interview they talk about the freedom of being untethered to the current Star Wars saga, how they brought their humanity to the characters and what it’s like for them seeing the fan reaction to them. Also mentioned is Gareth Edwards’ own fandom and how this helped the film considerably.

Our review is effulgent with praise, read it with your eyes here.

RELATED: Our rogue One UK Premiere Interviews: Felicity Jones, Gareth Edwards, Riz Ahmed, Alan Tudyk, Kathleen Kennedy & More

The Star Wars prequel is directed by Gareth Edwards and stars Felicity Jones, Ben Mendelsohn, Diego Luna, Donnie Yen, Jiang Wen , Forest Whitaker, Mads Mikkelsen and Riz Ahmed. It is produced by Kathleen Kennedy from an original idea by John Knoll.

RELATED: Why Rogue One is the Most Important Star Wars Film in a Generation

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Interview: Ben Mendelsohn & Mads Mikkelsen

 

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is released in the UK on the 15th of December, and on the 16th in the US.