‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ first trailer up; Darth Vader may or may not be in the film [VIDEO]

“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” has released its first trailer. The standalone story, set in the Star Wars universe, reportedly also features Darth Vader, and a brief glimpse of the central Star Wars character could be in the clip.

YouTube/Star Wars

“Rogue One” takes place before the events of “Star Wars: A New Hope,” which is technically after Anakin Skywalker joined the dark side and became Darth Vader and years before his kids tried to bring down the Imperial forces. As the official press release states, it is a departure from the saga films but have elements familiar to the Star Wars universe.

“It goes into new territory, exploring the galactic struggle from a ground-war perspective while maintaining that essential Star Wars feel that fans have come to know. Gareth [Edwards] is such an innovative director an I’m so excited to be working with him and the extraordinary ensemble cast he’s selected for ‘Rogue One,’” producer Kathleen Kennedy said.

The ensemble cast include Felicity Jones as Jyn Erso, the main star of the film. In the trailer, she appears to be a Rebel soldier (she said it herself that she rebels) and will perhaps lead the Rebel Alliance fighters in a mission to steal plans for the Death Star. Diego Luna, Riz Ahmed, Ben Mendelsohn, Donnie Yen, Jiang Wen, Mads Mikkelsen, Jonathan Aris and Forest Whitaker, who reportedly is a bounty hunter, are also in the cast.

Genevieve O’Reilly reprises her role as Mon Mothma. She played the character in “Revenge of the Sith” as well.

There were rumours that Darth Vader would be in the film, but perhaps those are just wishful thinking from fans. Joblo claimed earlier this year that the Vader rumours were true and that the iconic Star Wars character would be in the film with a “larger role than originally thought.”

In the trailer (@01:18 mark), there’s a hooded figure in black that is speculated to be Vader. The villain didn’t have a hood in any of the films, but one never knows if a slight costume modification was called for.

“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” will be released in Australia on Dec.18, and in the US on Dec. 16.

Yoda in ‘Star Wars: Episode VIII’

Meanwhile, Yoda might be appearing in “Episode VIII.” According to MakingStarWars.net, there are reports that Frank Oz is either already in or will be in the UK to shoot for “Star Wars: Episode VIII.” Oz, who famously voiced the Jedi master, could only be acting as a “consultant” in the production, but it could also mean Yoda is coming back, perhaps as a ghost or flashback, in the film.

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