Rogue One: A Star Wars Storyis what many might consider a delayed hit. The film earned a lukewarm reception upon its initial release but has grown in popularity over the years. Whether that phenomenon has been due to more people seeing it or simply a strange twist of luck, there’s one aspect of the movie that has remained consistently praised ever since it premiered: the characters, including Donnie Yen’s role.
Yen’s Force-fanboy warrior monk Chirrut Îmwe, whose incredible fighting skills (despite his lack of vision) and tiny sprinkling of snark quickly endeared him to audiences everywhere. While Chirrut, like the rest of the main cast includingFelicity Jones' lead character Jyn Erso, met with an unfortunate fate duringRogue One’s climax, that hasn’t stopped fans from hoping to see the character again. But what does Yen himself think about the idea?
RELATED:Star Wars: The Series Should Take Inspiration From This Spielberg Movie
Yen recently spoke with Looper about his films, includinghis upcoming role inJohn Wick 4, and the conversation naturally drifted over to the subject ofStar Wars, albeit briefly. When asked about the possibility of returning as Chirrut, he appeared open to the idea. “Well, I would definitely consider it,” Yen answered. “I had a great time shootingRogue One, and I guess people like my character. It really depends, you don’t know what they’re thinking. I leave it up to Disney to sort it out. We’ll see. I believe in destiny. A lot of times, what brings people together in one film, it’s all about timing and destiny.”
Well, if there’s one franchise where the concept of destiny loves to rear its increasingly disheveled head over and over, it’sStar Wars. It’s even in the title oftheStar Wars: Force and DestinyTTRPG. Even Chirrut as a character seemed to love the idea of destiny, being quick to accept his fate and unafraid to take so many risks. From his point of view, whatever happens was meant to happen, and even as his maybe-platonic-maybe-more partner Baze Malbus screamed in anguish at Chirrut’s death, the two accepted that it was just how things ended up. Anybody getting teary-eyed while remembering that scene has just figured out whyRogue Onegained such a following.
As a character so tied to the Force, Chirrut seems like the kind who will likely show up again in one form or another. Whether he gets to make an appearance in a prequel like theupcoming Disney Plus seriesAndoror achieves the honor of saying a few words as a disembodied voice to a dying Jedi in the next big movie, it frankly wouldn’t be a big surprise to see Yen make a triumphant return to the world ofStar Wars.
But would there be a point to it beyond a simple cameo? Many common complaints about the series concern the idea that there’s such a thing as too much backstory for characters who don’t need it. Chirrut may be one of those characters, seeing as his arc inRogue Onewas satisfying enough. But that’s for the endless fandom speculation to decide. Going forward, there’s always more to think about, like how gloriously weirdTaika Waititi’sStar Warsmoviewill absolutely be.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Storyis now available on Disney Plus.
