Rogue One: A Star Wars Story doesn’t hit theaters until this December, but some of the first footage from the highly anticipated film has been shown to Disney stockholders, even allegedly leaking out online.
The footage in question was apparently shown at a shareholders’ meeting in Chicago on Thursday, according to Newsweek . Bob Iger reportedly debuted the clip , revealing to those in attendance that the events of the film will directly precede the iconic A New Hope as it follows a group of rebels aiming to steal the plans to the Death Star in order to deliver them into the hands of Princess Leia.
Is This a Leaked Teaser Trailer for STAR WARS: ROGUE ONE? https://t.co/FpsBb7ezld pic.twitter.com/OEHHOPauMa
— GeekTyrant (@GeekTyrant) March 5, 2016
Matthew Hansen, who was in attendance when the footage was shown, described the sizzle reel as featuring a number of elements potentially new to the Star Wars universe. It included shots of black-clad stormtroopers , which are likely known as Death Troopers, as the Inquisitr previously reported. In addition, the footage featured views of several iconic AT-ATs, albeit with a lighter beige door on their side panels. Felicity Jones’ character was included as well, standing on an as-yet-unidentified ship with an open door behind her.
According to Hansen, the full effect of the footage was strikingly convincing.
“It all looked great, had a classic Star Wars / A New Hope look and feel.”
Rogue One Bits: Rooney Mara and Trailer Chatter – https://t.co/Uzr0VG9FBf – #RogueOne #StarWars pic.twitter.com/WtYolQmfzV
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) February 25, 2016
Even though the film is just nine months away from release, little is known about its final form. In stark contrast to the opening of The Force Awakens , no trailer has yet been released for Rogue One . Last year’s entry into the Star Wars saga was preceded by no less than three separate trailers, which trickled out over the course of a full year ahead of its debut.
Star Wars Rogue One is gonna show the dark dirty side of The Rebellion. Count. Me. In. pic.twitter.com/nNMwItgzQ3
— SuperBro Movie News (@SuperBroMovies) February 21, 2016
It is known that Rogue One will occupy a unique place in the Star Wars canon, as the first of a planned series of standalone movies meant to compliment the core saga, which in turn will follow the trials of the Skywalker family. As it is a distinct piece, Rogue One is set to have a far different feel from the other Star Wars movies, adding something new to the franchise in the process. Whereas some of the other Star Wars films were filled with hope and triumph, Rogue One is intended to be a gritty war film, already described as the darkest entry in the series yet.
Star Wars: Rogue One poster design, this looks incredible! #FanArt pic.twitter.com/9MFbStR3lg
— Star Wars Stuff (@starwarstuff) February 21, 2016
Rumors have abounded ever since Rogue One was announced, and much like the lead up to The Force Awakens , it is unclear what is fact and what is fiction. As Moviepilo t notes, fan sites have suggested that Biggs Darklighter may play a role in the movie, and that Mads Mikkelson’s character will be the Imperial technician responsible for the creation of the Death Star. Most interestingly, it has been suggested that Darth Vader will play a highly significant role as the film’s antagonist, unleashing his Dark Side powers to wield carnage heretofore unseen from the character in any of the other Star Wars films.
Whatever the true nature of Rogue One proves to be, the film looks ready to be one of the most groundbreaking in the Star Wars saga. With a short wait until December to return to a galaxy far, far away, fans can only hope that the first trailer for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story will hit theaters and the Internet shortly.
[Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney]
