'Star Wars: Rogue One' Casting Rumors Include Felicity Jones, Diego Luna and Ben Mendelsohn
"Star Wars: Rogue One" would be the first non-episodic live-action film included in Lucas' Star Wars cinematic universe. The film is set to be released after J.J. Abram's upcoming "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" which is slated to hit the big screen later this year.
As previously learned during the Star Wars Celebration event, Rogue One's narrative will take place between the events of Episode III and IV which will see the plight of a group of resistance fighters embarking on a "daring mission" to steal the Death Star plans.
Film director Gareth Edwards ("Godzilla") was also quoted as saying during the fandom occasion that around this time, the Jedis are all but nearly extinct, the Old Republic is in chaos, and then there's the threat of the Death Star.
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Casting reports also mentioned actress Felicity Jones joining the project to play a lead character. And then this week, sources for the media outlet Variety said that Mexican actor/director Diego Luna is now "in talks" to take on a "lead role" alongside Jones, and Riz Ahmed. Ben Mendelsohn ("Bloodline"), meanwhile, is also rooted to play the main villain of the film.
The publication however noted that there's no official word yet coming from Disney and Lucasfilm about the purported casting deals.
The scoop from Variety went on to indicate that the cast "is expected to be a large ensemble similar to 'The Dirty Dozen' and 'Saving Private Ryan.'"
As what Edwards said, "Star Wars: Rogue One" will be "quite unique" when compared to the rest of the titles in the franchise because this time, the fate of the people from a galaxy far, far away now lies in the hands of a "group of new heroes who don't have magical powers."
"Rogue One" is slated to hit the theaters in December 2016.
