It's long been said that the international box office is of greater importance for major movie studios that typically rely on worldwide grosses to make a profit off of their investments. While domestic numbers certainly are pertinent, the global haul can be the difference between a flop and a moderately successful blockbuster. Disney and Lucasfilm are obviously very much aware of this, and they are beginning to increase their marketing efforts for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story in foreign markets.
This week has seen the release of an international TV spot and an international trailer, the latter of which revealed fresh details about Jyn Erso's backstory and new action shots of the Death Star. The studio's push continues with the release of a third international theatrical preview, which you can watch above.
The trailer more or less follows the same structure as the one from yesterday, with slight alterations. New footage and dialogue is included in this version, such as a moment of levity between friends Baze Malbus and Chirrut Îmwe during a battle. It's nice to see their relationship fleshed out a bit in advertising, since their dynamic should be amusing to watch unfold. We also get more looks at the variety of battle sequences (Bistan arming the guns) and space dogfights, and a shot of the U-wing flying through hyperspace. Even though more is being shared, Lucasfilm is still holding back on spoilers, which is an approach very much appreciated.
Lately, it's been possible to piece together a rough outline for the basic narrative. From the looks of it, Jyn is first sent to the planet Jedha to learn more information about the Galactic Empire's super weapon and report back with her discoveries. It's only after the Imperials attack that the plan to steal the Death Star readouts is devised, bringing together a band of unlikely heroes. The exact location of the blueprints remains to be seen, but based on what's been shown, everything is going to build up to that heist - setting the stage for an emotionally driven climax.
One interesting note is that the marketing materials have focused more on the protagonists, which makes sense considering there's a whole group for audiences to meet. Still, it's somewhat curious that the villains of the movie have more or less been pushed into the background. Director Krennic has only said one line in all of the trailers combined, while Darth Vader has (justifiably) been briefly glimpsed. This could be read as the main antagonists not having as large a role in Rogue One as some might have expected, but Star Wars is a franchise known for iconic evildoers. Chances are, Krennic and Vader will get their moments in the spotlight, making life a living hell for the galaxy.
NEXT: Rogue One International TV Spot
Source: Disney/Lucasfilm [via We Got This Covered]
