The Force is strong with this one.
A brand new behind-the-scenes look at “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” has hit the web after premiering at London’s Star Wars Celebration event. “The Force Awakens’” Captain Phasma herself, Gwendoline Christie, took the stage at the event to moderate a panel on “Rogue One” where the movie’s poster and new “Celebration” reel were shown to fans for the first time, giving fans the first look at the upcoming “Star Wars” spin-off.
Never-before-seen footage showcasing battle scenes, Stormtroopers, droids, aliens and practical stunts from the set of “Rogue One” was shown to the eager crowd as director Gareth Edwards talks balancing expectations and pressure of bringing an original “Star Wars” story to life in the video.
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Edwards was joined on stage by cast members Felicity Jones, Donnie Yen, Mads Mikkelsen, Forest Whitaker, Diego Luna, Riz Ahmed, Alan Tudyk and Ben Mendelsohn, to reveal new character information before unveiling the brand new video showcasing the making of “Rogue One”. The director also confirmed that everyone’s favourite villain, Darth Vader, will return in “Rogue One” with dialogue once again voiced by James Earl Jones.
Mikkelsen, who has been a little loose-lipped over his part in “Rogue One”, confirmed that his character, Galen Erso, is the father of Jones’ character Jyn Erso. “Can I say that he is a scientist, and he at one point invented something so beautiful. It might change the universe,” the Danish actor reveals.
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Background on new characters and their names were announced, including K-2SO, a droid played by Alan Tudyk who is best friends with Luna’s character Cassian and will play an essential part in the Rebellion. Other new characters in the “Star Wars” universe include Yen’s blind warrior Chirrut who is guided by the Force, Whitaker’s Jedi-trained Saw Gerrera who has been fighting against the Empire for years and the newest villain, Director Orson Krennic played by Mendelsohn. The actor calls Krennic a new kind of villain who is “smarter than his predecessors.”
A new trailer for the film is widely expected to drop soon.