【Dear Utol (2025): Kilay is Life Episode 42】

Rogue One: A Star Wars Storytook a turbulent journey from page to screen,Dear Utol (2025): Kilay is Life Episode 42 but we never realized how different things could have been. Screenwriter Chris Weitz revealed that before he joined the project, the story had a happy ending.

“The version prior to [my involvement] didn’t have everyone die. As a matter of fact, it ended with a wedding,” Weitz told CultPopture. “I think it was on the presumption that Disney wouldn’t allow characters to die with such abandon.”

More than two years after the film's release, this is almost impossible to imagine. Rogue Oneending with a joyful wedding???

SEE ALSO: The Star Wars theme park lands have opening days and they're so soon we're sweating

Weitz took over the script from Star Wars Rebelswriter Gary Whitta and tried a new ending that he felt made more sense.

Mashable Top Stories Stay connected with the hottest stories of the day and the latest entertainment news. Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up!

“I felt it was necessary because nobody ever mentions them or sees them again," he said. "But also because we’ve done this whole sort of theme about sacrifice that it was appropriate that all of our main characters die.”

The final film departed even farther from Weitz's screenplay after changes from editor Tony Gilroy. Scenes in the middle of the movie shifted around and at least one character (K-2SO) died in a different location than the script had previously dictated.

Rogue One's ending is now famous in the Star Wars universe, killing off almost every single main character yet still ending on Princess Leia's crucial bid for hope. It also stunned fans by showing Darth Vader – a ubiquitous presence in the franchise, but one we didn't expect to actually see in the film.

“The Darth Vader kicking ass I cannot take credit for,” Weitz said. “That was a later invention.”

Ultimately, Weitz said he was satisfied with the theatrical version of the film – a rare sentiment when it comes to movies with difficult productions (just ask this one's cousin, Solo).

---

Featured Video For You

---

In honor of 'Solo' hitting theaters, we talked about what makes Star Wars so magical

---

Topics Disney Star Wars

(Editor: {typename type="name"/})