Cassian Andor and Jyn Erso’s Star Wars Legacy is Much Bigger Than Just Rogue One

Cassian Andor and Jyn Erso left behind quite an impressive Star Wars legacy, having given their lives to deliver the Death Star plans alongside all the allies that joined them under the improvised callsign, “Rogue One”. However, their legacy goes beyond the events of Rogue One, and even A New Hope. As seen in canonical comics, Luke Skywalker did eventually learn about their heroics, which directly influenced his career as one of the Rebellion’s best pilots.

In Rogue One, Jyn Erso and Cassian Andor choose to ignore Alliance High Command, climbing aboard a U-Wing with like-minded Rebels headed for Scarif to steal the Death Star plans. Coming up with the callsign “Rogue One” as they were taking off, the legacy of these heroes was remembered long after their deaths. This includes Luke Skywalker, the pilot who was uniquely positioned to destroy the Death Star in A New Hope because of the actions of Cassian, Jyn, and their fellow Rogue One allies.

Luke Skywalker Led Rogue Squadron in The Empire Strikes Back

Co-Founded With Wedge Antilles

The movie title of Rogue One was inspired by Rogue Squadron, the starfighter group that first debuted in 1980’s The Empire Strikes Back. In the aftermath of A New Hope, Luke Skywalker and Wedge Antilles were the only surviving pilots of Red Squadron. As a result, Luke and Wedge formed a new group known as Rogue Squadron before the events of The Empire Strikes Back.

During the Battle of Hoth, Rogue Squadron piloted multiple T-47 snowspeeders against attacking Imperial forces and their AT-ATs. However, Rogue Squadron would continue under the leadership of Wedge, participating in the Battle of Endor and more space battles during the New Republic Era (at least they did in Star Wars’ Legends). Sure enough, Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron movie (whose status is currently unknown) is meant to star a brand-new generation of pilots who become part of the legendary starfighter group. However, it’s also been confirmed that, in-universe, “Rogue One” inspired the full Rogue Squadron following the Battle of Scarif and Yavin.

Marvel’s Star Wars (2015) Confirmed Luke Was Inspired By Rogue One

Going Rogue, Just Like Cassian & Jyn

Between the events of A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, Luke Skywalker visited the fractured remains of Jedha. The Rebels were working with the survivors of Saw Gerrera’s Partisans to help those still living among the ashes and to disrupt the Empire’s efforts to strip mine what kyber they could from the world. It was here that Luke learned more about the heroes of Rogue One, acknowledging all the sacrifices and everything it took to get him where he needed to be to destroy the Death Star.

Shortly after the mission on Jedha, the Rebellion found itself betrayed and in danger of complete annihilation at the hands of the Empire, their cruisers having been sabotaged. Regardless, Luke, Wedge, and multiple pilots defied orders for caution and took off in their fighters. Inspired by Jyn Erso, Luke created Rogue Squadron and the group successfully ensured that the Rebellion would live on.

The canon has also confirmed that Luke ensured that the callsign “Rogue One” would be retired in honor of the Rebels who used it during Scarif. Instead, Luke went by “Rogue Leader” (the personal callsign he’s indeed referred to in The Empire Strikes Back). As a result, it’s very cool to see how Star Wars has woven the legacy of Rogue One into the overall canon, especially with the direct connection that Luke Skywalker, as prominent as he is in the original trilogy, was inspired by the heroes who paved the way while he was still moisture farming.