If Disney and Lucasfilm upheld a radio silence for The Force Awakens prior to the reveal of the sequel’s first trailer, then both studios are taking it one step further for Gareth Edwards’ anticipated standalone feature, Star Wars Anthology: Rogue One. Putting aside some plot and casting details – including the return of the galaxy’s biggest menace in Darth Vader – there’s been scant information released for eager fans to pour over, but that’s about to change.
Mirror Online has unearthed a series of set photos from the production of the heist thriller, showcasing the return of the classic Stormtropper design from the original trilogy. Embedded in the gallery above, the aerial shots are likely taken around the time when the Empire is assembling its legions of fighters as it looks to retrieve the Death Star blueprints stolen by a devious and indeed daring band of heroes and anti-heroes.
With filming well underway in Elstree Studios, England ahead of Rogue One‘s 2016 release, these images represent an exciting time in the film’s timeline. Granted, The Force Awakens will act as the headlining star of this weekend’s D23 event, but don’t be too surprised if Disney offers some love for Edwards’ galactic heist caper, too.
Having already assembled the likes of Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Riz Ahmed, and The Last King of Scotland‘s Forest Whitaker, Star Wars Anthology: Rogue One has quickly become of the more tantalizing entries on Disney’s slate. And it’s not just the actors stoking the embers of excitement, with Boba Fett, Bossk, Dengar, Zuckuss all rumored to appear, Edwards’ actioner is shaping up to be the love letter to the original trilogy we’ve all been longing for.
Setting the King of Monsters to one side for the time being, Gareth Edwards is behind the camera for Star Wars Anthology: Rogue One, and his standalone is due to hit theaters on December 16, 2016.