"Star Wars Anthology: Rogue One" is now the official title of the first spin-off movie from the "Star Wars" franchise. Aside the official title, the film's plot and setting were also unveiled during the last day of Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim, California.
As cited by Screen Rant, a panel at the Celebration consisted of LucasFilm President Kathleen Kennedy and "Rogue One" director Gareth Edwards. Josh Trank, who is set to direct the second "Star Wars Anthology" film, called in sick and was absent from the panel.
The film's main plot was discussed during the panel and later posted via Twitter. According to the post, "Rogue One" will take place slightly prior to the events of "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope" and will be about a group of resistance fighters uniting to steal the Death Star plans. These were the plans that catapulted the events of "A New Hope."
John Knoll, famous for his work for Industrial Light & Magic special effects, was the one who pitched the film. Edwards was then hired while he was still directing "Godzilla." It has also been confirmed during the panel that Oscar-nominee Felicity Jones is attached to the project and would play a rebel soldier.
The film's script was penned by Chris Weitz and Gary Whitta, who worked on "Cinderella" and "After Earth" respectively.
According to Edwards, there will be no Jedi in the film.
"It comes down to a group of individuals that don't have magic powers, that have to bring hope to the galaxy," Edwards stated.
Edwards also emphasized that the film would play out like a war thriller. This would explain why "Zero Dark Thirty" cinematographer Greig Fraser was taken on board.
Production for "Star Wars Anthology: Rogue One" is expected to start this summer with a tentative release date of Dec. 18, 2016.
