'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story' release date, spoilers, news: Ben Mendelsohn talks about why Krennic and Vader don't like each other

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

Director Orson Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn) isn't the usual "Star Wars" villain. He's a blue-collar Imperial officer unlike the rest and he seems to have a huge chip on his shoulder. And in an interview with Empire, Mendelsohn explained why his character just couldn't get along with Darth Vader (voiced by James Earl Jones).

"It's fair to say Lord Vader and he aren't friendly. Darth is very much about the Force. Krennic is force. Not really down with the whole mystical thing," he said.

Mendelsohn also talked about how Krennic did not come "from the aristocracy of the Empire."

"He is truly a man that has made his own way up the chain through his own abilities. His weapon, for instance, is a very old type of blaster, because he's an old warrior dude. He's been put in charge of making this thing happen. And it's gonna get done!" the actor said.

Okay, first things first. How fitting is it that Empire magazine gets to have an exclusive interview with an actor who is portraying a character that works for The Empire?

Anyway, Krennic is as dangerous as they come, and the character will do whatever it takes to elevate himself in the hierarchy of the Empire. Vader turned to the dark side to save his wife, but Krennic is doing all of this for himself. Check out the prequel book "Rogue One: Catalyst" to know more about the primary antagonist in this film.

Meanwhile, "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" is going to be the first "Star Wars" film not to open with a narrative crawl. That's practically a tradition for films from the franchise, but "Rogue One" is going to skip it. According to Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, it just doesn't feel right for the film.

"We probably will begin the film in a way that is traditional, with just the title," Kennedy told Variety.

"Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" is scheduled to premiere on Dec. 16.

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