Yeah, you read that right, 1981. That date refers to the classic NPR Star Wars radio drama from ’81, written by the late, great Brian Daley. There, the first of a number of tales telling of the stealing of the Death Star plans was told.
NPR had the details more than three decades ago (no, really). Contrary to conventional wisdom, the death of “many” Bothans wasn’t necessary to bring us the events of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
That’s not just because Gareth Edwards’ new movie offers a new, canonical take on how the Death Star plans ended up in the hands of the Rebel Alliance prior to the first Star Wars movie.
It’s also because the “Many Bothans died to bring us this information” line actually comes from 1983’s Return of the Jedi, talking about the second Death Star.
Nonetheless, it shouldn’t be surprising that the theft of the original Death Star plans is a story that has been told before Rogue One.
