Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Cast, Character & Cameo Guide

Now regarded as one of Star Wars‘ best projects to date, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is the first Star Wars movie to break away from the episodic Skywalker saga. Coming onto the Star Wars scene in 2016, Rogue One introduced wonderful characters such as Cassian Andor to the canon. While its main focus wasn’t to expand Star Wars lore, it still did so by including George Lucas’ Guardians of the Whills and more. Many years later, it continues to be one of the most well-written Star Wars movies in existence.

Leading into the events of A New Hope, Rogue One shows how Princess Leia Organa got the Death Star schematics. Not only that, but it also explains why the Death Star had such an obvious design flaw. As a Star Wars movie, it was bound to be packed with cameos and familiar characters along with new ones. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the profound cast, characters, and cameos of Rogue One.

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Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Cast And Characters

Felicity Jones As Jyn Erso

Galen Erso’s daughter and key rebel fighter

Jyn Erso, portrayed by Felicity Jones, is first introduced in Rogue One as the adult daughter of Galen Erso, an Imperial science officer forced to work on the Death Star, and a former member of Saw Gerrera’s extremist rebel faction. Throughout the movie, Jones’ Jyn Erso goes from disillusioned loner to rebel hero, following in her father’s footsteps and risking it all for the sake of the Rebellion. Her quiet strength and leadership are what ultimately saves the Rebellion by securing the Death Star plans, contrary to other orders.

Felicity Jones was born in Birmingham, United Kingdom, and she has been acting since she was 12 years old. She broke big in The Theory of Everything, where she played Jane Wilde Hawking. Jones has since gone on to star in many other movies, with Rogue One just being one of her many successes. Some of Jones’ most notable roles include:

Diego Luna As Cassian Andor

Key rebel fighter

Cassian Andor, portrayed by Diego Luna, is a dedicated rebel fighter who will do anything for the cause. Throughout the movie, his commitment and wit play a key role in getting the Death Star schematics to the Rebellion. Despite his often stoic nature, Cassian loves deeply and has a soft spot. His origin story has since been told in the Rogue One spin-off series Andor, which shows him as a morally gray character who is willing to do whatever it takes to protect those he cares about and fight the Empire.

Diego Luna was born in Toluca, Mexico and broke big in the movie Y tu mamá también, where he played Tenoch Iturbide. Luna has reprised his role as Cassian Andor in the excellent Star Wars TV show Andor, and Andor season 2 will likely be released in 2025. Diego Luna began his career in Mexican telenovelas and movies and has since taken part in many movies and TV shows throughout his career. Some of Luna’s most notable roles include:

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Donnie Yen As Chirrut Îmwe

A key Guardian of the Whills

Chirrut Îmwe, portrayed by Donnie Yen, is a dedicated Guardian of the Whills – and thus has a special connection to the Force. When he is first introduced, he is underestimated due to his blindness. However, he quickly proves himself to be a formidable warrior and skilled with both a staff and a lightbow. Chirrut’s refusal to give up on his commitment to the Guardians of the Whills brings his friend, Baze Malbus, back to the faith. Chirrut continues to be an inspirational figure throughout the movie, even encouraging his rebel friends and partners.

Born Yen Chi-tan, Donnie Yen was born in Guangzhou, China and has been acting since he was 21 years old. He broke big in Once Upon a Time in China II, where he played General Nap-Ian. He is also known for his role as Wing Chun grandmaster Ip Man in Ip Man. Yen has acted in and directed many other movies as well, and some of his notable roles include:

Jiang Wen As Baze Malbus

A former Guardian of the Whills and key player in the mission to get the Death Star plans to Princess Leia

Baze Malbus, portrayed by Jiang Wen, is a close friend of Chirrut Îmwe. He used to be the most dedicated of the Guardians of the Whills before becoming disillusioned and abandoning the faith. While Baze only joins the Rebellion because he doesn’t want to leave Chirrut on his own, he becomes a dedicated rebel himself. Baze does whatever it takes to stand alongside his dear friend and his other allies, and as such, he is one of the most loyal friends a person could have.

Jiang Wen was born in Tangshan, China. He broke big in Hibiscus Town, in which he played Qiu Shutian – a role that won him the Best Actor Award at the Hundred Flowers Awards. He has acted in, directed, and written many notable movies, some of which include:

Alan Tudyk As K-2SO

Repurposed Imperial droid and key rebel fighter

K-2SO, portrayed by Alan Tudyk, is perhaps the funniest character in Rogue One. Due to his programming that turned him from an Imperial droid to an ally of the Rebellion, K-2SO is blunt to the point of being rude in the most hilarious way. Despite this, K-2SO is also a fiercly loyal friend, as he can always be found helping his best friend Cassian whenever he’s in need – even if he explicitly asks for K-2SO not to help.

Alan Tudyk was born in El Paso, Texas and made his breakthrough in A Knight’s Tale, in which he played Wat. Tudyk has since been known mostly for his incredible voice acting, as he has contributed his voice to every Walt Disney Animation Studios movie since 2012, though he has also physically acted in many hit movies and TV shows. Some of his most notable roles include:

Rizwan Ahmed As Bodhi Rook

Defected Imperial pilot who brings key information about the Death Star from Galen Erso to Jyn Erso

Bodhi Rook, portrayed by Riz Ahmed is an Imperial pilot who’s also a close friend of Galen Erso. He credits Galen with giving him the strength to do what is right in aiding the Rebellion effort. While he tends to appear anxious, his bravery in defecting from the Empire shows his strength as a character. He is possibly the strongest character in the movie because of how he gives up everything to defy the Empire.

Riz Ahmed was born in Wembley, United Kingdom and has been acting since his debut in 2006. He made it big in Nightcrawler, in which he played Rick. Ahmed, also a rapper, has gone on to act in many other movies and TV shows, and some of his notable roles include:

Forest Whitaker As Saw Gerrera

Rebel extremist who raised Jyn Erso

Saw Gerrera, portrayed by Forest Whitaker, first appeared in Star Wars: The Clone Wars as a young man defending his home against the Separatists. After his sister, Steela, dies, he becomes jaded and radicalized. He later becomes a rebel fighter against the Empire but is rejected by the Rebel Alliance as a terrorist. Despite his radical methods, Rogue One shows that he has a soft side, as he raised Jyn Erso. Saw has many faults, but at heart, he is a deeply hurting person who wanted justice.

Forest Whitaker was born in Longview, Texas and has been acting since 1982. He made his breakthrough in Clint Eastwood’s Bird, in which he played Charlie “Bird” Parker. Whitaker has since reprised his role as Saw Gerrera in Andor, the prequel spin-off Rogue One series. He has also been in many notable movies and TV shows, and some of his most well-known roles include:

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Mads Mikkelsen As Galen Erso

Jyn Erso’s father and Imperial engineer who built the exhaust port fault into the Death Star

Galen Erso, portrayed by Mads Mikkelsen, is a brilliant man who has lost everything. His wife is killed trying to protect him when the Empire comes to conscript him, and he has to abandon his daughter Jyn to protect her. He is forced to work on a planet-destroying superweapon that will be used to kill millions of people. Despite all that, he never gives up. He risks – and ultimately gives – his life to make sure the Rebellion will win, making him a true hero.

Mads Mikkelsen is a Danish actor and former gymnast born in Østerbro, Denmark. He had his big break in King Arthur, in which he played Tristan. He is the brother of Lars Mikkelsen, another Star Wars actor who plays Grand Admiral Thrawn in both Star Wars Rebels and Ahsoka. Mikkelsen is a beloved actor who has been in many movies and TV shows since his debut in 1996, and some of his most notable roles include:

Ben Medelsohn As Director Orson Krennic

Chief overseer of the Death Star until Grand Moff Tarkin takes over

Director Orson Krennic, portrayed by Ben Mendelsohn, is a cold and conniving Imperial officer. As the individual who’s overseen the construction of the Death Star for countless years, Krennic is zealous for the Empire and eager to make his name in Emperor Palpatine’s galaxy. The Death Star is his magnum opus, and when Grand Moff Tarkin takes control, he does whatever it takes to regain credit for his beloved project.

Ben Mendelsohn was born in Melbourne, Australia and began his career on the television show The Henderson Kids in 1985. Mendelsohn’s breakthrough arrived in The Year My Voice Broke, in which he played Trevor Leishman. Mendelsohn is a very well-known actor who has been in many iconic movies and TV shows, and some of his most notable roles include:

Guy Henry As Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin

Imperial Grand Moff who takes over the oversight of the Death Star from Director Krennic

Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin, portrayed in Rogue One by Guy Henry, was first introduced in A New Hope as a right hand to Darth Vader. Tarkin is one of the most terrifying villains in Star Wars history due to his coldness and efficiency, as he is the one who orders the destruction of Alderaan without a second thought. In Rogue One, Tarkin is the nemesis of Director Krennic, assuming control of the Death Star at his first opportunity and changing the narrative however he pleases to maintain it.

Guy Henry was born in London, United Kingdom and started his acting career in television. His first movie was Another Country, in which he played Head Boy. In Rogue One, he portrays Tarkin underneath the deepfake that brings the original Tarkin actor, Peter Cushing’s, likeness to the role. Henry has been in many movies and TV shows since his debut in 1982, and some of his notable roles include:

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Cameos

Anthony Daniels As C-3PO

Iconic protocol droid working for Princess Leia

C-3PO is the only Star Wars character to appear in every single Skywalker saga movie, and he has been played by Anthony Daniels in Star Wars every time. C-3PO makes a very brief cameo in Rogue One at the Rebellion base on Yavin IV, fittingly appearing alongside his long-time best friend R2-D2. The droid reflects on the rebels heading to Scarif, making his appearance at the peak of the action in the movie’s final act.

Anthony Daniels was born in Salisbury, United Kingdom and made his breakthrough in A New Hope, in which he first brought C-3PO to life. Daniels has often reprised his role as C-3PO in several Star Wars TV shows, both animated and live-action, and even Star Wars TV show parodies. Aside from his prolific returns to the franchise as C-3PO, Daniels most notable roles in other movies and TV shows include:

James Earl Jones As Darth Vader

Jones returns as the voice of the iconic Sith Lord

Darth Vader, famously portrayed by James Earl Jones, is one of the most well-known and popular characters in science fiction history. While Vader ultimately turns back to the light side at the end of Return of the Jedi, in Rogue One, he is shown as the terrifying villain first introduced in A New Hope. Vader sees the bickering between Krennic and Tarkin as a nuisance, but he steps up to do his part when the rebels try to get away with the Death Star plans, culminating in one of the franchise’s most beloved and iconic scenes to date.

James Earl Jones is the original voice of Darth Vader, and he reprised the role for Rogue One. He was born in Arkabutla, Mississippi and made his breakthrough in Dr. Strangelove, in which he played Lt. Lothar Zogg. He has had a prolific career on Broadway, television, and film, and some of his notable roles include:

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Genevieve O’Reilly As Mon Mothma

Rebel Alliance leader

Mon Mothma, portrayed by Genevieve O’Reilly, is a rebel leader and senator from the planet Chandrila. It is Mon Mothma who has the final word on the decisions of the Rebellion in Rogue One, which causes her to have to make plenty of difficult decisions – including not only using Jyn Erso to get through to Saw Gerrera, but also initially rejecting a mission to Scarif to seize the Death Star plans. Ultimately, Mon Mothma does what she knows is right, inspired by those she leads even when they refuse to obey orders.

Genevieve O’Reilly was born in Dublin, Ireland. Her breakthrough was in The Matrix Reloaded, in which she played Officer Wirtz. She has played Mon Mothma in several Star Wars movies and TV shows, including Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, Andor, and Ahsoka. O’Reilly has been in many plays, movies, and TV shows, and some of her notable roles include:

Jimmy Smits As Senator Bail Organa

Senator, Rebel Alliance leader, and a member of Alderaan’s royal family

Senator Bail Organa, portrayed by Jimmy Smits, is the adoptive father of Princess Leia Organa. Bail has always been an active part of the Rebellion, and in Rogue One, he continues to play his part in aiding the effort. He’s able to send his daughter to retrieve the Death Star plans at the rebels’ most important hour, his last major play before the tragic destruction of Alderaan claims his life.

Jimmy Smits was born in Brooklyn, New York. He made his breakthrough in the TV show L.A. Law, in which he played Attorney Victor Sifuentes. Smits first portrayed Bail Organa in Revenge of the Sith and has since gone on to reprise his role in both Rogue One and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Smits is a well-known actor who has been in many movies and TV shows, and some of his notable roles include:

Michael Smiley as Dr. Cornelius Evazan

Twisted mad scientist

Dr. Cornelius Evazan, portrayed by Michael Smiley, made a brief appearance in Rogue One when he bumped into Cassian Andor and Jyn Erso. Dr. Cornelius Evanza was one of the people who harassed Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Mos Eisley cantina in A New Hope. Dr. Evazan began as a skilled cosmetic surgeon before going insane and experimenting on people.

Michael Smiley was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He became known for his role in the TV show Spaced, in which he played Tyres O’Flaherty. Smiley has been in many movies and TV shows, and some of his notable roles include:

Warwick Davis as Weeteef Cyubee

Member of Saw Gerrera’s insurgency

Weeteef Cyubee, portrayed by Warwick Davis, is a member of Saw Gerrera’s extremist rebel group. He conducts infiltration missions in Jedha’s Holy City, using his small size to go unnoticed. He is an expert sharpshooter.

Warwick Davis was born in Epsom, United Kingdom. He is a notable cameo due to his breakthrough in Return of the Jedi, in which he played the iconic Ewok Wicket W. Warrick. Davis has since been in many movies and TV shows, and some of his notable roles include:

Ingvild Deila as Princess Leia Organa

Alderaanian princess and Rebel Alliance leader

Princess Leia Organa is one of the main protagonists in the original trilogy and a rebel leader. In Rogue One, she appears briefly on the Tantive IV as she accepts the Death Star schematics. This significant moment, in which her single line is a resounding “hope,” leads right up to the events of A New Hope.

Ingvild Deila was born in Norway. While a small part, she is known for her role in Avengers: Age of Ultron, in which she played the lead scientist of World Hub Tech. In Rogue One, she physically plays Leia, upon which Carrie Fisher’s likeness is placed via deepfake. Deila has been in many plays, movies, and TV shows ever since, and some of her notable roles include:

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Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Supporting Cast

Several notable actors appear in one scene or minor roles

In addition to the notable cast, characters, and cameos, there are many other brilliant supporting roles portrayed by a wide variety of talented actors. From the other Erso family member to the members of Saw Gerrera’s extremist group, Rogue One has fully fleshed out its cast with these incredible names. Below are some of the other notable cast members in Rogue One, as well as who they portray in the beloved Star Wars movie.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Action

Sci-Fi

Adventure

Release Date

December 13, 2016

Director

Gareth Edwards

Cast

Felicity Jones , Diego Luna , Ben Mendelsohn , Donnie Yen , Mads Mikkelsen , Alan Tudyk , Jiang Wen , Forest Whitaker

Writers

Tony Gilroy , Chris Weitz

Story By

George Lucas, John Knoll, Gary Whitta

Studio(s)

Lucasfilm

Distributor(s)

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Franchise(s)

Star Wars