First teaser for ‘Rogue One’ expands the ‘Star Wars’ galaxy

Behold the super-dramatic, ultra-serious teaser trailer for Disney and Lucasfilm’s first “Star Wars” feature film spinoff. Set just before the events of “Star Wars: A New Hope,” the heist movie follows the gang of rogues too rebellious even for the rebellion who stole the Death Star plans.

The new “Star Wars” film is not a part of the currently filming, episodic “Star Wars” story lines. So while the officially titled “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” may not expand on what has happened to “Star Wars” new class Finn (John Boyega) and Rey (Daisy Ridley) since “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” it’s still part of the same universe.

Enter classic “Star Wars” character Mon Mothma from “Return of the Jedi,” wearer of the white robes and deliverer of the classic line, “Many Bothans died to bring us this information.” Mothma is front and center in the brand new “Rogue One” trailer, although this being the first set of Death Star plans, the members of “Rogue One” are most likely not the Bothans in question.

According to the Disney news release, the cast includes lead actress Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Ben Mendelsohn, Donnie Yen, Jiang Wen, Mads Mikkelsen, Alan Tudyk, Riz Ahmed and Forest Whitaker (who gets the most screentime after Jones). Described many times by fans as a heist movie, from the actual footage it looks like a half heist, half rebel training hype film. And it all ends with a pretty profound shot of Jones in Empire gear (note the badge on her arm).

“Rogue One” is directed by Gareth Edwards, from the 2014 “Godzilla” reboot, and will open in theaters Dec. 16.

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