Today in Rogue One: Hear a preview of Michael Giacchino’s score

Entertainment Weekly brought us our first listen of Michael Giacchino’s Rogue One score. I’m not really much of a score junkie, but it sounds good! If you want to dig a little deeper, the full track listing has been spotted. There are few intriguing things there, so take it as you will.

→ Chatting about Columbia’s Rogue One jackets with the brand’s director of apparel design, Debra Criss. These are really some of the most impressive clothing tie-ins we’ve seen with this film, so it’s nice to learn more.

→ There’s been some pretty ridiculous stuff running around Twitter regarding an “anti-Trump” message being inserted into Rogue One at the last minute. While Star Wars has never shied away from some pointed commentary, the timeline alone here makes that deeply unrealistic. And in any case, certain themes have been baked in since the start. I expect this boycott will bear about as much fruit as the last one did.

→ The interviews: Gareth Edwards on diversity, reshoots and the “team sport” method of Star Wars (and/or filmmaking in general.) Riz Ahmed raps. The Wrap calls Donnie Yen “the perfect breakout star for 2017” and he tells Mashable “Give me a lightsaber, you wouldn’t have two hours of storytelling.”

→ A quick guide to the Star Wars books, films and TV you may want to catch up on before Rogue One.

Today in Rogue One: Michael Giacchino on his last-minute call to compose

ro-trailer2-station

Entertainment Weekly’s Anthony Breznican has the most extensive interview yet with composer Michael Giacchino on Rogue One. Giacchino says the film is “in many ways a really great World War II movie” with “this huge, huge heart.” He reveals that he does use “little moments” of the classic John Williams, but ” the score is 95 percent original.” Read

→ While EW gives us extended chunks of coverage, Empire magazine dribbles out a new photo and a few quotes regarding Gareth Edwards’ being hands-on with filming. But hey, they do have a bunch of character covers.

Rogue One is tracking for a big debut – in the range of $120M-150M. If this bears out, it could be the second-biggest December opening – after The Force Awakens.

Riz Ahmed profiled by the Wall Street Journal.

Spoiler corner: The first twenty minutes of the film was shown on the promotional tour in Mexico, and Making Star Wars has a few (though not extensive) details about the film’s title card.

The catchup: Rogue One villains, music and jackets

ro-trailer2-vader

At USA Today, Director Gareth Edwards talks about the Empire, Darth Vader and how Ben Mendelsohn’s Director Orson Krennic differs from the other high-ranking Imperials we’ve met.

→ Composer Michael Giacchino on the film’s tight schedule, and loving Jyn.

→ Speaking of Jyn, Felicity Jones was on Kimmel last night.

→ Want Jyn and Cassian’s jackets? Check out the versions from Musterbrand. (Which also has some The Force Awakens-inspired cardigans.)

Also, there’s a rumor going around that we might get word on ticket sales soon… Perhaps this afternoon? What drops then? Hmm. Nope!