Written By: Alisha Weinberger
This week’s cover of Entertainment Weekly has confirmed a huge reveal in a galaxy far far away.
Darth Vader will be appearing in “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”. In prominent text on the magazine reads, “35 Years Before the Force Awakens, a new band of heroes fight the dark side-And an old foe…Darth Vader is back!” The cover also features the film’s main protagonist and heroine Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones), Captain Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), and droid K-250 (Alan Tudyk), with AT-AT walkers looming over the trio.
EW’s spotlight has also confirmed additional characters aside from the infamous Sith Lord, such as Jyn Eros’s father “a scientist whose knowledge is sought by both sides,” is to be played by Mads Mikkelsen, and Imperial military leader Director Krennic, presumably the film’s central antagonist.
Since the ominous, iconic breathing at the end of the trailer’s release and some leaked concept art, fans have been eagerly speculating the return of Vader. It is still unclear who will be in the suit, whether or not James Earl Jones will continue to voice him, or the extent of Vader’s role in the film.
In an announcement made late this afternoon on EW, Oscar winning actor Forrest Whitaker will play Saw Gerrera, a freedom fighter who made his Star Wars debut in the animated series The Clone Wars.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is set for release December 16 this year.
