Mads Mikkelsen brings to life the character of Galen Erso in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, a 2016 blockbuster that left an indelible mark on cinema. However, the star recently revealed to Variety that the film's script was still very much a work in progress even during filming.
"It kept changing," he shares, "One would think that it was already done. I don't think they ever locked a draft." Despite this unorthodox approach, Mads adds that the "unsurprisingly unfinished" script was a testament to the creators' relentless pursuit of perfection.
"I think they kept working on it, improvising, reshooting, and coming up with a better idea that suited my character," he explains. "I had my mission, but it was obviously tricky for the two young heroes who didn't know exactly what they were carrying into a room of baggage."
The Fantastic Beasts actor also recalls an emotionally charged scene from Rogue One that turned out to be particularly challenging due to the constant changes in the story.
"It was a brutal day, I would say, and it lasted for days because there were so many changes in the story," he recalls, referring to his iconic "It must be destroyed" scene. "We went back and forth, and it was raining. When you do artificial rain, it's almost impossible to maintain a long scene without having ice-cold water. So I was lying there, freezing to death, trying to keep my eyes open."
Mads' words paint a vivid picture of the challenges faced during the making of Rogue One, highlighting the dedication and perseverance of both the actors and the creative team in their quest for excellence.
