It is a well-documented fact that Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is pretty much a complete and utter game-changer in the realm of big budget blockbusters. The visual effects are not only impeccable; they are some of the best we have ever seen. However, while everyone has raved consistently about the CGI resurrection techniques used on characters like Tarkin and Leia, we should also point out how good the CGI was in the creation of the film's vast landscapes. A new video has just hit the web showcasing the construction of Jedha and Scarif, and it really helps you understand how much work goes into a single VFX shot. Check out the clip below to see for yourself.
That video comes to us courtesy of Industrial Light & Magic, and it provides some genuinely compelling insight into how a visual effect comes together in post-production. Despite the overwhelmingly gritty and lived-in feeling of Jedha and Scarif, large portions of these locations were designed entirely on computers. The video runs through the creation of these exotic locales, and it becomes increasingly apparent just how many layers of work are actually required to make a world feel so thoroughly realized and authentic.
Of course, as previously mentioned, the landscapes in Rogue One only really represent the tip if the iceberg when it comes to the film's highly advanced visual effects shots. The groundbreaking aspect of the movie is the way in which Gareth Edwards and the rest of the crew managed to quite literally resurrect a character like Grand Moff Tarkin and give him a proper role in the film. We have not fully reached the point where those effects have become seamless with reality, but Rogue One is a watershed moment towards that day.
In many ways, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story represents a continuation of a longstanding tradition that has existed for decades. The Star Wars movies have always been known for groundbreaking special effects, and the advanced use of computer generated imagery in this standalone feature is merely the latest in a long line of Star Wars films to innovate within the filmmaking process. In fact, Lord of the Rings' Peter Jackson even recently spoke out regarding Star Wars creator George Lucas and likened him to Thomas Edison for his ability to pioneer new filmmaking techniques that have become standardized over time. That is not a bad legacy to leave behind.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is the latest example of phenomenal Star Wars special effects, but the franchise doesn't show any signs of slowing down in the near future. The series will continue its trend of mind-bending visuals when Rian Johnson's The Last Jedi hits theaters later this year on December 15.
