Rogue One screenwriter reveals original ending was much happier

It even featured a wedding!

It has been more than two years since the release of the Star Wars Universe’s first anthology film, and it turns out the Rogue One ending we seen wasn’t the original plan!

Screenwriter Chris Weitz – who took over from original writer Gary Whitta – has revealed that the movie was originally going to end on a bit more of a positive note.

In an interview with the CultPopture podcast Weitz explained: “The version prior to [me taking over] didn’t have everyone die. As a matter of fact, it ended with a wedding. I think it was on the presumption that Disney wouldn’t allow characters to die with such abandon.”

The movie’s theatrical release featured all of the main cast sacrificing themselves for the Death Star plans to make it to the Rebellion.

The interview continues with Weitz explaining that the theme of sacrifice made it appropriate for all main cast members to die whilst in the third act.

Steering away from the Rogue One ending, he also explains how the film underwent drastic changes due to the change in director. The directing chair went from Gareth Edwards to Tony Gilroy. Weitz said “If you imagine the beginning of the second act and the end of the second act kind of swapping places, that would not be an inaccurate way to portray how it structurally was changed.

Weitz continues: “A lot of the deaths were put in different locations than they were originally put in the script and were originally shot. I’m not sure why, for instance, K-2 died in a different place.”

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is available to buy and stream now, whereas Star Wars Episode IX hits cinemas December 19, 2019 in the UK and December 20, 2019 in the US.