Mads Mikkelsen Reveals Rogue One’s Script Was Never Locked In
Mads Mikkelsen shares how the script for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story was in constant flux during filming, with ongoing rewrites and reshoots shaping the final product.
Mads Mikkelsen has opened up about the unpredictable nature of working on Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, saying the script was in a state of flux right through production. The Danish actor, who played Galen Erso, described the process as far less settled than you’d expect for a blockbuster of this scale.
“For a Star Wars script, it was surprisingly unfinished,”
Mikkelsen said.
“It kept changing. One would think that was already done. I don’t think they ever locked in a draft. I think they kept working on it and improvised and went back and reshot stuff. And then came up with a better idea.”
Script in Constant Motion
Rogue One, directed by Gareth Edwards, landed in cinemas back in 2016. The story is set just before the original Star Wars film, following rebels Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) and Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) as they pinch the Death Star plans from the Empire. Mikkelsen’s character, Galen Erso, is Jyn’s father and the scientist behind the Death Star’s design.
Despite the high expectations and massive budget—reportedly around $300 million—the script was never truly set in stone. Mikkelsen explained that the team kept tweaking scenes, improvising lines, and even returning for reshoots as new ideas cropped up. The approach was more off-the-cuff than most would expect from such a major franchise.
Box Office Success and Legacy
Even with all the behind-the-scenes changes, Rogue One turned out to be a hit with punters, raking in over $1 billion worldwide. Mikkelsen reflected on the end result, saying,
“I think it turned out to be a really nice film.”
While Galen Erso doesn’t appear in the Andor spin-off series, his presence is still felt, with the character getting a few mentions throughout the show. The film’s impact continues, with fans still keen to revisit the story on streaming platforms.
What’s Next for Star Wars
The Star Wars universe isn’t slowing down. Up next is The Mandalorian and Grogu, starring Pedro Pascal and Sigourney Weaver, set to hit Aussie cinemas in May 2026. There’s also Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter, with Ryan Gosling in the lead, currently in the works.
For those wanting to catch up, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is available to stream now on Disney Plus.