We reported last month that the highly-anticipated spinoff Force Friday extravaganza is coming on September 30, when new merchandise will be available. That date is only the beginning, though, with new merchandise continuing to roll out ahead of the December 16 release date, including a new prequel novel that has just been announced called Catalyst. The first plot details have been released for this book, which tease a connection between the Rebel Alliance's Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) and the villainous Director Orson Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn) while explaining the secret origins behind the Death Star.
Stitch Kingdom managed to get their hands on the first synopsis for this new Del Rey book Catalyst, written by James Luceno, which is now available for pre-order and will debut on November 15, just a month before the movie hits theaters. This 352-page prequel novel offers some back story for the events that take place before the movie, and as you can see in the synopsis, Jyn Erso and her father Galen (Mads Mikkelsen) have a connection to Krennic, which essentially confirm earlier plot rumors.
"War is tearing the galaxy apart. For years the Republic and the Separatists have battled across the stars, each building more and more deadly technology in an attempt to win the war. As a member of Chancellor Palpatine's top secret Death Star project, Orson Krennic is determined to develop a superweapon before their enemies can. And an old friend of Krennic's, the brilliant scientist Galen Erso, could be the key. 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 finally make the Death Star a reality. Trapped in their benefactor's tightening grasp, the Ersos must untangle Krennic's web of deception to save themselves and the galaxy itself."
It was previously rumored that Galen Erso was working on the Death Star for Imperial forces, but later regrets his decision to work for this evil empire. He is said to be the galactic version of nuclear bomb inventor J. Robert Oppenheimer, whose knowledge is sought by both the Empire and the Rebels. The earlier rumors claimed that Galen fled the Empire to "make things right" with his daughter Jyn, who was on a mission of her own to try and undo all of the destruction her father caused.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story also stars Alan Tudyk as the new droid K-2SO, Diego Luna as Cassian Andor, Forest Whitaker as Saw Gerrera from The Clone Wars animated series, Donnie Yen as Chirrut Imwe, Riz Ahmed as Bohdi Rook and Wen Jiang as Baze Malbus. Gareth Edwards directs from a script by Chris Weitz, based on a story by Gary Whitta and John Knoll. Take a look at the cover artwork for this Rogue One prequel novel Catalyst and stay tuned for more details.
