So did we ever find out what was behind that curtain?

Figured it out

It was a First Order Treadspeeder

18 hours ago, Jokubas said:

Rogue One is clearly inspired by Dark Forces.

There's a line that could easily be taken out of context.

On 4/13/2019 at 11:26 PM, Jokubas said:

Rogue One is clearly inspired by Dark Forces.

* Jyn Erso is an extremely similar name to Jan Ors (it's almost an anagram).

* Cassian Andor wears outfits that highly resemble Kyle's Dark Forces design (when he has his jacket) and his Jedi Knight design (at the end of the movie), and isn't bad casting physically either.

* Death Troopers and Dark Troopers are similar in name and appearance, and their concepts aren't entirely dissimilar (especially if you consider the Phase Zero dark troopers from Battlefront).

* Even the data archive where they retrieve the plans resembles the puzzle at the end of... Level 4 I believe.

* The first screenwriter was an ex-editor-in-chief for PC Gamer, giving an opportunity and a motive. 😜

I wouldn't be surprised to find out that the story began as a straight-up adaptation before the names got changed in later drafts. It might explain a few smaller things, as well, like how the Death Troopers don't really have a role in the final draft of the film (managing to hit a main character doesn't mean much considering the resolution ;P).

Reportedly, the Rogue One drafts began in the 90s and supposedly Jyn Erso dates to then. Other than a name similarity she doesn't really resemble Jan at all, physically or in characterization. Jyn Erso is an ill defined criminal with a melee combat specialty and some daddy issues, Jan Ors is a skilled pilot and intelligence agent.

Wouldn't surprise me a lot if Gary Whitta tried to turn R1 into Dark Forces Lite though. Having seen Book of Eli I don't think an original thought has once passed through his mind.