There are so many mysteries that were solved in "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" but one that stands out is the truth about the Bothans that sacrificed themselves to steal the Death Star plans. However, that doesn't mean that there were no casualties in the Rebels' risky mission against the Empire.
The death of several Bothans has been information that "Star Wars" fans have accepted for several decades since Mon Mothma told the Rebels about it in "A New Hope". Luckily, "Rogue One" has just debunked the so-called "fact" by revealing exactly who were killed to obtain the Death Star plans from the Empire.
Mon Mothma Was Wrong! No Bothans Were Harmed In The Making Of 'Rogue One'
In "Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi", Mon Mothma confirmed that they are in possession of the Death Star plans, but only because of a very high cost. "Many Bothans to give us this information," Mothma tells the Rebels. However, "Rogue One" has proven that this is incorrect.
"Rogue One" introduced several new characters and creatures, but there were zero Bothans featured in the Gareth Edwards film. Although this means that the Bothans were safe, the same could not be said about hundreds of Rebels who risked their lives for the Death Star plans. So what led to Mon Mothma sharing some shady info to her people?
Did The Empire Spread False Info About The Bothans' Death After 'Rogue One'?
Emperor Palpatine may have a lot to do with the news that Bothans were killed to make sure the Rebels acquire the Death Star plans. According to The Verge, this might have been the Empire's strategy to get rid of the Rebels. However, this turned out to be a rather close prediction about events that happened after "Rogue One".
Many Bothans were killed, but not during the time Jyn Erso and her team set out to get the Death Star plans in "Rogue One". Instead, the furry little spies died while trying to get blueprints of the second Death Star in "Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi".
