In Entertainment Weekly’s continuing coverage of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, the return of the galaxy’s most feared villain in Darth Vader, is profiled…
When EW asked Lucasfilm president, Kathleen Kennedy, which character from the Original Trilogy would show up in Rogue One, her response was:
"“I think we can talk about Vader…”"
Oh, what music to our ears. According to EW, actor James Earl Jones will be reprising the role Darth Vader’s menacing voice, and at age 85 to boot! And, all the while, a variety of different body actors will perform as the character behind the mask, of Darth Vader.
If you’ve been watching Star Wars Rebels Season 2 on Disney XD, you may have noticed James Earl Jones has been putting in the voice work as Vader there, as well.
EW then asks the important question, the question that’s on all our minds: Just how much Vader are we going to be getting in Rogue One? The answer seems to be just a little bit, which, according to EW, is why there is no new image of the Sith Lord. According to Kennedy:
"“He will be in the movie sparingly,” she says. “But at a key, strategic moment, he’s going to loom large.”"
Vader’s role in the galaxy is also described, at the time of Rogue One. According to EW he’s considered the muscle, the fixer, and the breaker, when he needs to be. The Empire’s grip on the galaxy is beginning to be pried open, which is why the Emperor is having the Death Star constructed, and the Rebels are barely even familiar with Darth Vader…which is so completely odd.
Director Gareth Edwards shared some insight into this dynamic:
"“Within the Rebellion, it’s not commonly spoken about. Within the Empire, there is the culture of knowing of the existence of Darth Vader. There’s definitely an underlying feeling that there is a power – a dark power – available to the Empire and that if you overstep your mark, you will suffer the consequences.”"
It appears as if Darth Vader will be more of an enigma in Rogue One, than an actual main antagonist, as that role will go to Ben Mendelsohn’s Director Orson Krennic. EW points out that he Krennic — in true Empirical fashion — will compete for the Emperor’s favor against Vader.
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But, as we’ve all already seen the Original Trilogy, we know who wins the favor of the Emperor, but it will be fun to see it all unfold on screen in Rogue One, come this December. Stay tuned, as we bring you more Rogue One reveals from EW‘s coverage, as it unfolds this week.