In Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, we get to visit the new planets of Jedha and Scarif. Though there are some practical sets, much of the planet and the destruction that takes place was done digitally via Lucasfilm’s VFX and animation studio, Industrial Light and Magic. And the company just released a video they describe as, “a taste of the Oscar-Nominated Visual Effects work behind the destruction of Jedha and the battle on the beaches of Scarif in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” on their YouTube channel.
The video begins with a shot of the Star Destroyer over the main city on Jedha, flashing its pre-vis build and the different layers—including smaller ships flying overhead. We also get to see the destruction of the city in layers as well. We then watch each layer of the beach in Scarif before getting at the planet’s epic battle scene as the AT-ACT walkers are added in. To call it thrilling to watch would be an understatement, and probably why the film is up for Best Sound Editing at the Oscars as well.
Check out the video and let us know what you think in the comments below. (You can also tweet us @JennaBusch/@Nerdist!) How much did you love this movie? Did the CGI characters jar you, or did you feel like they worked well? Are you excited for the upcoming Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi? The film will premiere on December 15, 2017. Less than a year to go!
Image Credit: Disney
