Warning: The following article contains spoilers for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. If you don’t want to be spoiled then check out our non-spoiler review of Rogue One.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is the latest addition to the Star Wars franchise. Taking place before A New Hope which premiered in 1977 Rogue One tells us the story from the opening crawl of how a group of Rebel fighters managed to secure the plans to the Death Star which would ultimately lead to its destruction at the hands of Luke Skywalker (Luke Hamill) in the climatic finale of the first film.
Being a film set in the Star Wars universe and one that takes place moments before the most important well known film in the franchise it is not without its fair share of references and Easter eggs. Several characters from throughout the franchise also make guest appearances in Rogue One.
With that said here is our pick of the top ten cameos and guest appearances in Rogue One:
10. Saw Gerrera
Saw Gerrera marks a first for the franchise. He is the first time a character that debuted in an animated show has made the transition to live-action. First appearing in the Star Wars: The Clone Wars series he was portrayed by Forrest Whittaker in Rogue One. Saw Gerrera is a Rebel extremist whose methods for fighting the Empire buts him at odds with the Rebel Alliance. He is also an old friend of Galen Erso and a mentor to Jyn who is vital to the discovery of the existence of the Death Star. Fans will smile in delight though when they hear him speak Admiral Ackbar’s famous line: “It’s a trap!”
9. Mon Mothma
Reprising her role from a deleted scene in Revenge of the Sith Genevieve O’Reilly plays the Rebel commander in Rogue One who we first saw in Return of the Jedi. Mon Mothma is famous for telling us of the many Bothans who died to bring information about the whereabouts of the Second Death Star to the Rebellion but in Rogue One we get to see her as a leader of the Rebellion and the person who originally recruits Jyn Erso into the cause.
8. Bail Organa
Princess Leia’s adopted father returns from the Prequel Trilogy to lead the Rebellion. Played once again by Jimmy Smits his most memorable line is his passing reference to an “old Jedi friend.” He plans on sending a message to him via someone he trusts with his life thus setting in motion the entirety of events from A New Hope onwards. Bail Organa’s appearance helps bridge the gap between the Prequel Trilogy and the Original Triology and is a good indicator of further cameos to come.
7. General Jan Dodonna
Star Wars fans will remember Jan Dodonna as the General who briefed the Rebel fighter pilots (including Luke Skywalker) before the attack on the first Death Star. Played by Alex McCrindle in A New Hope Ian McElhinney takes up the mantle in Rogue One. He only makes a brief appearance however during a scene where the Rebel Senate is discussing plans to attack Scarif to retrieve the Death Star plans. It is a nice touch and helps ground us in the timeline of the original trilogy.
6. Ponda Baba and Cornelius Evazan
In a blink and you’ll miss it cameo two familiar faces from the Mos Eisley Cantina make an appearance on Jedha, the holy moon that is home to several Jedi Temples as well as the Death Star. While escaping from the Empire Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) and Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) bump into the pair and narrowly avoid getting into a confrontation with the hot headed duo. We have to assume that they both managed to escape Jedha City before its destruction at the hands of the Death Star because they are next seen causing trouble for Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) in A New Hope.
5. Red Leader and Gold Leader
Probably one of the most satisfying cameos for fans of the original trilogy during the space battle over Scarif we are reintroduced to several characters from A New Hope: Jon “Dutch” Vander (AKA Red Leader) and Garven “Dave” Dreis (AKA Gold Leader). The best thing about these cameos is not only are they portrayed by the original actors from A New Hope but they use actual footage from A New Hope. We’re also introduced to a brand new Red Five only for them to be killed off in the ensuing battle to later be replaced by none other than Luke Skywalker.
4. R2-D2 and C-3PO
What would a Star Wars film be without R2-D2 and C-3PO? Just when fans thought we were going to find out the two lovable droids make a brief appearance on the Rebel base on Yavin 4. As the Rebel fleet prepares to head to Scarif for the climatic confrontation with the Empire C-3PO comments in dismay about how nobody ever tells him anything. While it adds nothing to the overall story it is a fun cameo that reminds us that the droids have always and will continue to be a part of the Star Wars franchise.
3. Grand Moff Tarkin
The most impressive return in Rogue One was undoubtedly Grand Moff Tarkin (played by the late legendary Peter Cushing in A New Hope). Using CGI face stitching technology ILM was able to bring Peter Cushing back from the dead and pit him against Commander Orson Crennic (Ben Mendelson) for control of the Death Star. Tarkin ultimately wins when he orders the destruction of the Imperial base on Scarif, murdering Crennic in the process.
2. Princess Leia
In an unexpected but obvious cameo Princess Leia appears in the final moments of the film. Portrayed using the same face stitching technology that brought Peter Cushing back to life as Grand Moff Tarkin the brief appearance sets the stage for the opening of A New Hope. Leia receives the Death Star plans, a signal of hope for the Rebellion, but little does she know another famous character is hot on her tail.
1. Darth Vader
While we were aware that Darth Vader was going to be in Rogue One as early on as the second trailer we weren’t aware what role he would play in the film. He appears in the opening of A New Hope already in pursuit of the Death Star plans as he boards the ship containing Princess Leia but fans weren’t quite ready for what else we got to see from the Sith Lord. Darth Vader only makes brief appearances in Rogue One but what screen time he does have is breathtaking. Not only do we get to see him force choke Commander Crennic but we also get to watch with morbid delight as he annihilates a ship full of Rebel soldiers as he attempts to retrieve the Death Star plans. If Rogue One did one thing perfectly, it was to help remind us why Darth Vader is the most feared person in the galaxy.
Those are our picks for the best cameos and guest appearances in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Did we miss any out? Who were you most excited to see return and who do you want to see make an appearance in future spin-off films? Let us know in the comments below.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is in cinemas now. Directed by Gareth Edwards (Godzilla, Monsters) it stars Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Mads Mikkelsen, Ben Mendelsohn, Donnie Yen and Alan Tudyk.
Kaden Fillis 