Incredible Insights from the Rogue One Director: Unveiling the Magical Influences of Star Wars on the New Sci-Fi Blockbuster!

Summary

The visually stunning landscapes of futuristic cityscapes in Asia, when combined with the essence of ancient spirituality, served as the inspiration for The Creator's aesthetic.

Gareth Edwards, known for his emphasis on character development and human drama, brings his unique blend of storytelling to his latest sci-fi film, The Creator. Drawing on lessons learned from his work on the Star Wars prequel, Edwards crafts a dystopian future where humanity is locked in a fierce battle with artificial intelligence. At the center of the story is Joshua, portrayed by John David Washington, a former special forces agent tasked with finding and eliminating the AI's mysterious new weapon and its creator, aptly named The Creator.

During an exclusive interview with Screen Rant at the San Diego Comic-Con in 2023, Gareth Edwards reflected on his experience directing Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. When asked about the lessons he carried over from the prequel to his new sci-fi action film, The Creator, the co-writer/director explained how he discovered the more "fairytale" aesthetic and the "juxtaposition" between futuristic cityscapes and Asian-influenced spirituality within the Star Wars franchise. Here's what Edwards had to say:

You learn a great deal, I suppose. One thing that Star Wars excels at and has proven to be tremendously helpful, especially for my recent project, is its mythical nature. People often categorize Star Wars as science fiction, and that's the simplest way to define it, but it's not entirely accurate. Yes, there are robots and spaceships involved, but it shares more similarities with fairytales or the grand scale of biblical or samurai epics. It combines elements from the distant past with futuristic aspects such as spaceships and robots – with no trace of anything from the present. Star Wars has nothing contemporary about it; it exists in an ancient and futuristic realm, leaving behind anything in between.

When I traveled to Asia, I was struck by two things that left a lasting impression: the profound spirituality that emanates from the temples, whether rooted in Buddhism or Hinduism, and the awe-inspiring futuristic cities that seemed straight out of a sci-fi movie. I find the juxtaposition of these elements captivating. As we filmed the movie, we intentionally incorporated a blend of old and futuristic elements. Even when selecting background vehicles, we opted for cars from the 1970s or 1960s. Initially, this decision seemed strange, but in the context of the movie, it felt just right. This choice reflects the reality of Asia, where you might find an electric car parked nearby, while someone rides a customized vintage moped. It showcases the coexistence of modernity and tradition, which I find truly fascinating.

Editor's Note: This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, and the movie covered here would not exist without the contributions of the writers and actors in both unions.

Why Edwards Is A Modern Sci-Fi Guru

Even before venturing into the realm of Star Wars spinoffs, Edwards had already made a mark in the sci-fi genre with his debut feature, the captivating horror film Monsters. Starring Scoot McNairy and Whitney Able, it delves into a world transformed by massive tentacled creatures brought forth by a NASA probe's crash landing in Mexico. Rather than relying solely on dazzling special effects, Edwards astutely directs our attention towards the characters and the social implications arising from the United States' decision to construct a wall to isolate the monsters in Mexico.

Edwards followed a similar approach to the 2014 American Godzilla remake, prioritizing human drama over the anticipated kaiju action. This decision divided critics and audiences, with some appreciating the Jaws-like tactic of establishing stakes for human characters before delving into genre thrills, while others found the characters lacking. This critique has continued in subsequent MonsterVerse films, notably Godzilla: King of the Monsters.

However, Edwards showcased his talent for blending character drama and blockbuster filmmaking in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, affirming him as a noteworthy sci-fi storyteller. With The Creator allowing him to collaborate again with Rogue One co-writer Chris Weitz, it will be intriguing to witness if Edwards can exceed his own high standards and deliver a thought-provoking new interpretation of the artificial intelligence conflict.