'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story' release date, news: Riz Ahmed talks about Bodhi's emotional baggage

A promotional image for "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story." Lucasfilm

"Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" is going to introduce the audience to a slew of new characters. While the main focus will surely be on Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones), former Imperial pilot Bodhi Rook (Riz Ahmed) is also going to play a vital role in the quest to acquire the blueprints of the Death Star.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Ahmed shed some light on what his character is like.

"Bodhi is someone who's been running away his whole life. His planet gets occupied, so he goes, 'How do I get out of here?' And the way was by becoming a long-distance cargo pilot. But, of course, that comes with guilt. If you look down and you're wearing the same Imperial uniform with the same insignia that the people occupying your planet are wearing, it's guilt and a lot of running away. I had the idea that this character is jittery. He's jumpy. There's a restlessness to him. This comes from the trauma and guilt," he said.

It sounds like Bodhi is going to be one twitchy guy. Seeing that "Rogue One" has the most diverse cast of any "Star Wars" film, Ahmed also said he felt the "Star Wars" franchise was leading the way for diversity in Hollywood.

Meanwhile, Lucasfilm's creative executive Pablo Hidalgo just about confirmed that "Rogue One" is going to have a total runtime of 133 minutes while answering a fan's question on Twitter.

Well, that's not exactly a surprise. The previous "Star Wars" films all have a runtime of over 120 minutes, and last year's "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" had a runtime of 135 minutes

In other news, composer Michael Giacchino has revealed that he was only given four and a half weeks to complete the film's score. He said the time constraints stressed him out, but he still managed to have fun while working on it.

"Rogue One" is scheduled to premiere on Dec. 16, in the United States.

News
Sudan authorities use bureaucracy to stop church rebuilding and worship
Sudan authorities use bureaucracy to stop church rebuilding and worship

Authorities in Sudan are obstructing efforts by a church to rebuild and even to use their place of worship

Ramadan ‘offers a unique opportunity’ to share the Gospel, says missiologist
Ramadan ‘offers a unique opportunity’ to share the Gospel, says missiologist

Dr Emil Saleem Shehadeh has some sage advice for how Christians can engage with their Muslim neighbours and colleagues during Ramadan.

David Tudor hit with another lifetime ministry ban
David Tudor hit with another lifetime ministry ban

Having already been banned, the latest sanction merely reinforces an earlier decision.

Armenia’s Christian civilization is under existential threat - the UK must not stand idly by
Armenia’s Christian civilization is under existential threat - the UK must not stand idly by

The constellation of powers that produced the eradication of the Armenian Christian presence in Nagorno Karabakh now have their sights on the Republic of Armenia itself.