'I Didn’t Ruin Anyone’s Childhood' — Gareth Edwards Reflects on Rogue One’s Legacy
The director shares relief that Rogue One respected fans' childhood memories.
Ever wondered what it feels like to hold an entire generation’s childhood in your hands? Well, Gareth Edwards knows the pressure. As we approach the tenth anniversary of Rogue One, arguably the best Star Wars prequel, Edwards has been reflecting on what truly matters to him — and it’s not just glowing Rotten Tomatoes scores.
The quiet satisfaction of not breaking anyone’s galaxy
For Edwards, the true victory isn’t fan polls or box office triumphs — it’s simply knowing he didn’t shatter precious childhood memories. During his chat with GamesRadar+, he admitted with visible relief
"I’m just eternally relieved that I don’t walk across the street and people shout that I ruined their childhood."
That might sound like modesty, but it’s also a peek into the enormous weight he carried while playing in George Lucas’s sandbox.
Why these films mean far more than just IP
Edwards bristles at calling Star Wars a franchise. To him, that cheapens what it meant to be a kid staring wide-eyed at star destroyers.
"These movies were sort of semi-religious experiences as a kid, watching them, and so they mean a lot," he said.
It’s this reverence that guided every decision on Rogue One — crafting something thrilling yet careful not to bulldoze anyone’s most sacred pop culture memories.
