It's a new year, ladies and gentlemen, so despite the havoc "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" continues to wreak on the international box office, it's time to start thinking about a new property in that galaxy far, far away: "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story." Set for release in December of this year, "Rogue One" will follow a group of rebel pilots (led by Felicity Jones) who steal the original plans for the Death Star. Pretty cool, no?
While the Gareth Edwards-directed film is less than a year away, we still don't know much beyond that general plot. Hopefully, that will be cleared up when the first trailer drops, possibly with the release of "Captain America: Civil War," according to Star Wars Time. Such a move would make sense, as both Lucasfilm and Marvel are owned by parent company Disney (the Mouse House makes ALL the money). Given the immense anticipation for "Civil War" and the large crowds it is guaranteed to attract, doing a little cross-promotion for "Rogue One" would maximize the eyeballs the trailer reaches upon first viewing.
"Civil War" is set to feature nearly every single hero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe - Thor and Hulk excluded - making it one of the biggest Marvel blockbusters this side of the "Avengers" series. Not only that, but "Civil War" will also be kicking off Phase Three of Marvel's movie slate. There is literally no better time to introduce fans to the first ever non-saga "Star Wars" Anthology film than this.
"Rogue One" promises to be a more grounded sci-fi film that won't exactly resemble the space opera feel of the normal "Star Wars" films. The Skywalkers won't be taking center stage in this one, and neither will the Force or Jedi. It will be more of a tenacious heist movie than anything.
"Rogue One" will take place in between "Revenge of the Sith" and "A New Hope" on the "Star Wars" timeline. It will arrive on Dec. 16, with "Civil War" hitting theaters on May 6.
