Star Wars: Rogue One’s first draft had Vader Force choking (and killing) a major character

I think we can all agree that Star Wars: Rogue One turning Vader from ‘NOOOOO’ meme back into a badass killing machine was a smart move. However, we very nearly didn’t get a cacophony of corridor kills and, instead, would have had Vader Force choking (and Force murdering) a major character. Ouchy.

Entertainment Weekly has revealed that Rogue One cut a Vader end scene, one that would have taken place alongside the happier, cheesy ending from the first draft. In this version, all-round baddie Orson Krennic survived the Death Star blast, only to meet a similarly unpleasant end.

Screenwriter Gary Whitta explains, “He survived the blast and they pulled him up and brought him to the Star Destroyer to report to Vader. He’s all beat up, his cape’s all torn up and stuff, and he thinks he has survived.”

The Sith Lord, though, had other, more choke-y plans, as Whitta says, “Vader kills him for his failure.”

It’s not as undeniably cool as the Vader massacre but it’s definitely a better end (in a manner of speaking) for the cowardly Krennic.

What do you think of the first draft of Vader’s Rogue One appearance? Sound off in the comments!

Image: Lucasfilm

Bradley Russell

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.