An official synopsis for a new Rogue One: A Star Wars Story prequel novel by James Luceno contains a number of plot spoilers for the first non-Episode Star Wars movie of the new Disney galactic regime. Star Wars: Catalyst explores the familial and professional drama between Rogue One protagonist Jyn Erso’s family and Orson Krennic, the be-caped baddie in charge of the Death Star program.
Here’s the full synopsis, as reproduced by Making Star Wars:
“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 of 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.”
While it’s been previously revealed that Jyn Erso’s father, Galen (Mads Mikkelsen), is a scientist whose work would prove instrumental to the creation of the Death Star (presumably something to do with kyber crystals, which power the Death Star and every lightsaber). But this new synopsis casts the Ersos and Krennic as close friends whose relationship is twisted and perverted by the violence of war and the cruel machinations of the Empire.
It also makes the antagonism between Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) and Director Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn) much more personal. He must have been an instrumental part of her childhood, as her family were both indebted and indentured to the conniving Imperial officer.
Star Wars: Catalyst comes out Nov. 15, at which point we’ll learn even more about the tangled background between Jyn Erso, Rebel saboteur, and Orson Krennic, evil Empire mastermind.
