As the December 18 release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens gets closer, we learn more and more about the first anthology film slated for 2016. So far, we know that Monsters and Godzilla director Gareth Edwards is in charge of Star Wars: Rogue One, Felicity Jones will star in a leading role, and Ben Mendelsohn might play the main villain. Now it seems Diego Luna will be joining the cast in another leading role as well.
According to Variety, several sources have indicated the Mexican actor’s addition to the cast.
At a panel with Edwards and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy at the recent Star Wars Celebration convention in Anaheim, Edwards revealed that the plot of “Rogue One” revolves around the heist of the Death Star plans by a group of rebel fighters, with Jones starring as one of the rebel soldiers. Sources say [Riz] Ahmed and Luna also play rebel fighters.
The film will take place between Episode III and Episode IV, but closer chronologically to “A New Hope.” It’s set to bow December 16, 2016.
The cast is expected to be a large ensembler similar to “The Dirty Dozen” and “Saving Private Ryan,” but sources add Luna is one of the leads of the film with Jones, Ahmed and Mendelsohn.
Much of the speculation about Rogue One stems from the original trilogy’s deep mythos, as explained by our own Mike Ryan. Recent casting announcements and confirmations seem to suggest these ideas are true, but as always, Lucasfilm is keeping a tight lid on their projects.
Despite this, if the diversity of the announced cast is any indication, Rogue One will make for a great ensemble film for sure.
(Via Variety)
