This December sees the release of the first non-episodic Star Wars movie Rogue One: A Star Wars story, which is set prior to the events of Episode IV: A New Hope and follows the story of the rebels spies who stole the plans to the Death Star. So far we have seen a teaser trailer and the unfinished pages of a visual guide to the movie, which revealed details on most of the movies characters and some of the hardware we will see in the movie. We were also given our first confirmation that fan favorite Darth Vader will make an appearance. Meanwhile, recently released details on forthcoming LEGO sets confirm that AT-ST's will also make a return to the saga and that the Rebel Starfighter's less formal name will be the U-Wing.
Reportedly Darth Vader may be the mystery figure in the Bacta Tank from the teaser trailer, with speculation that the Sith Lord may receive severe injuries during the movie leading to the character possibly receiving new cybernetic limbs, which could explain the characters stiffness when facing Obi-Wan Kenobi in Episode IV. More speculation suggests that the Sith Lord will make an appearance in the movie's final act, possibly dispatching Ben Mendelsohn's Director Krennic with his trademark force choke, and likely being responsible for the many that died while stealing the plans to the Death Star.
Reportedly the all black Death Troopers seen in the teaser are Darth Vaders personal soldiers who answer only to Sith Lord, suggesting the possibility that Vader may make an appearance on the jungle beach planet in which we see the rebels facing off against multiple Imperial Walkers and Death Troopers. Could these Death Troopers also be proficient with lightsabers?
There is also growing speculation that bounty hunter Boba Fett may be making an appearance in Rogue One. This rumor started when Boba Fett's ship Slave 1 was seen promoting Rogue One LEGO (pictured above).
Next December will see the release of the eagerly awaited Star Wars Episode VIII which is currently half way through filming under the supervision of visionary writer and director Rian Johnson. The next episodic movie in the Star Wars saga Episode VIII will see Kylo Ren and Rey become more powerful with the Force. Early photographs saw a replica set of Michael Skellig showing both the Millennium Falcom and the entrance to a Jedi Temple, with the name of planet Luke Skywalker exiled himself too now confirmed as Anch-To.
Recent reports suggest that Kylo Ren, fresh from his training with Supreme Leader Snoke will attack the resistance base seen in The Force Awakens. Likely accompanied by Captain Phasma and battalions of Stormtroopers Kylo Ren is reported to leave the base in ruins and his mother Leia Organa left for dead, all for the map to Anch-To and Luke Skywalker. However according to comments from the director of Episode IX Colin Trevorrow, it has all but been confirmed that neither Luke nor Leia will meet their demise in Episode VIII as the Jurassic World director has stated his desire in working with them and seeing them play much greater roles in his movie.
More reports suggest that Skywalker portrayed by Star Wars legend Mark Hamill will fight and defeat the Knights of Ren in an epic display of force abilities and lightsaber skills, while reportedly a darker Kylo Ren will overwhelm a troubled Rey. It is unknown at which point in the movies narrative this face-off takes place, but with reports that Kylo Ren avoids a confrontation with Skywalker one would assume this battle will not be the movies climax.
Sources: StupendousWave and DashStar
