Rogue One details raise the stakes with family drama

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We’ve heard reports about Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) and her estranged father Galen (Mads Mikkelsen), but we never knew why there was such strife between the characters. Now, thanks to a synopsis of James Luceno’s novel Catalyst, which is set prior to the events of Rogue One, we know more about how the Erso family was torn apart.

Note that there are potential Rogue One spoilers ahead.

Apparently, Director Orson Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn), who heads the Empire’s Advanced Weapons Research, essentially forces Galen to use his “energy-focused” research for a nefarious purpose. Only, Galen doesn’t realize this until it’s too late.

Here’s what the official synopsis of Catalyst says:

Galen’s energy-focused research has captured the attention of both Krennic and his foes, making the scientist a crucial pawn in the galactic conflict. But after Krennic rescues Galen, his wife, Lyra, and their young daughter, Jyn, from Separatist kidnappers, the Erso family is deeply in Krennic’s debt. Krennic then offers Galen an extraordinary opportunity: to continue his scientific studies with every resource put utterly at his disposal. While Galen and Lyra believe that his energy research will be used purely in altruistic ways, Krennic has other plans that will make the Death Star a reality. Trapped in their benefactor’s tightening grip, the Ersos must untangle Krennic’s web of deception to save themselves and the galaxy itself.

That’s more or less what the rumors have been saying all along, although the fact that Krennic saved Galen and his family (albeit with ulterior motives) is a big new detail.

We’ve been hearing all along that Galen would be a key to the Death Star and now we know why. It seems the Empire are unable to get the superweapon working properly without Galen’s research. Once Galen realizes what he has helped create, however, he defects and reportedly helps Jyn, his daughter, retrieve the Death Star plans to give to the Rebels.

James Luceno’s Catalyst will be available on Nov. 15, about a month ahead of the Dec. 16 release of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.