Star Wars Celebration Europe is in full swing , and " Star Wars " fans from all over the earth are forgather in London , U.K. Attendees are being cover to new information about the upcoming picture in the saga , " Rogue One , " slated for a Dec. 16 , 2016 firing . This new standalone movie secernate the story of the rebel spy who managed to steal the plans for the first Death Star . Those are the very program that were pitch to Princess Leia so the event of " Star Wars : A New Hope " could unfold .
At a panel consecrate to the new film , with Gwendoline Christie ( Captain Phasma in " Star state of war : Episode VII - The Force Awakens ) , and with the cast and crew in attendance , Lucasfilm offered the world a windowpane into the inner - workings of the film and its write up . Here are some of the mellow point :
1 . The planet Scarif is a unexampled location to " Star Wars " ; the tropical paradise of the Maldives stood in for its shooting localisation . The Maldivian Army , glimpse in the trailer , young poster and publicity shots release through Entertainment Weekly , tolerate in for the Stormtroopers you see in the photos and video of beach scenes . According to director Gareth Edwards , the Maldivian soldiers had never seen " Star Wars " and were n’t awfully impressed with anything that was run short on . When asked by the managing director if they felt stunned in the armour , he report that they said , " Yes . "
2 . It was officially announced ( after several unofficial leaks and rumors ) that Mads Mikkelson of " Hannibal " and " Casino Royale " celebrity play a character list Galen Erso . He ’s the male parent of Felicity Jones ' theatrical role , Jyn Erso , and is a scientist . As Mikkelson put it , " At one point he invented something so beautiful and so wondrous , it might change the universe . "
3 . Edwards confirm that James Earl Jones will be reprising his character as the voice of Darth Vader in " Rogue One . " During the trailer — played only to attendees of Star Wars Celebration while online viewers of the live flow got a replay of the sizzle bobbin express earlier in the panel — Vader ’s trademark breathing was pick up , but not his voice . The teaser trailer culminates in one final shooting of Darth Vader reverberate on the mirrored flooring of the Death Star .
4 . Some of the action in " Rogue One " takes place on a planet called Jedha , and although the Jedi have been eradicate thanks to the drive of Emperor Palpatine , many of the wandflower ’s habitant still believe in the Force . accord to producer Kathleen Kennedy and director Gareth Edwards , Jedha is a spiritual site that pilgrims still visit to pay their respects . During the events of " Rogue One , " it ’s occupied by the Empire .
5 . London ’s Canary Wharf Underground station serve as a shooting location for " Rogue One . " According to Edwards , filmmakers had all of four hours to dress the full circle , disguising the fact that it ’s a bustling transportation system place , and get their shots . When London traveler arrived the next cockcrow , they had no melodic theme that a chase had been shoot between the Rebels and Imperials there and had envelop just hour before the post open .
6 . Forest Whitaker is play a character mention see Gerrera who made his debut on the enliven show " Star Wars : The Clone Wars . " Gerrera was originally conceive by George Lucas for the never - grow live - action " Star Wars " television show and has since been mentioned in the book and other animated shows lead up to his reveal in " Rogue One . " Whitaker learn the " Clone Wars " episodes his character was sport in to gain a better agreement of where he came from , include his preparation by Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano .
7 . Australian actor Ben Mendelsohn made a very dramatic entrance to the panel , snip in full costume for his character Director Orson Krennic , including a in earnest envy - rush mantle . Mendelsohn later rejoined the gore in civilian wear , but he could n’t spill much about the baddie he portrays in " Rogue One . " Krennic ’s costume is also on display at the convention , and the gallery circuit board displayed with it give some tip . It states that the Imperial officer is " obsessed with the completion of the long - delayed Death Star undertaking , " and that he ’s " cruel but splendid . " Sounds like the perfect villain !
