It’s a little prescient, don’t you think, that the latest TV spot for “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” highlights female leadership and power so intentionally? With our looming 2016 presidential election less than 24 hours away, it’s both reassuring and exciting to see Felicity Jones take command as Jyn Erso in this spot for the latest “Star Wars” outing. Hopefully, the strength of women will become more evident tomorrow, as well as in December when “Rogue One” opens.
The saga in this prequel revolves around Erso being tasked with stealing the plans to the Death Star, the very plans that Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) stows away inside R2-D2 and are found by Luke Skywalker in the first “Star Wars” outing. The storyline was inspired by a part of the opening crawl of the first film, which reads: “During the battle, rebel spies managed to steal secret plans to the Empire’s ultimate weapon, the Death Star…”
“This is your chance to make a real difference,” Erso says to her followers, and the message and timeliness of the trailer could not be more clear. Having a second “Star Wars” film in a row where the main protagonist is a woman calls for a celebration, especially in times like these.
The “Rey-wakening” of “Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens” brought a new female energy to the franchise, despite the fact that there already were tons of female “Star Wars” fans. And just like women will flock to the polls tomorrow, we’ll also surely flock to the theaters this winter as we did last December to see “The Force Awakens”: “Rogue One” will offer another opportunity to see ourselves represented in one of the most beloved franchises in cinematic history.
“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” hits theaters December 16.