Is This Darth Vader Without His Armor In Rogue One: A Star Wars Story?

When Rogue One: A Star Wars Story hits theaters later this month, the film will fill in a crucial gap of the franchise's canon. The spin-off is set to tell the events which occurred between Star Wars: Episode III and IV when a group of Rebels steal plans to the Imperial Death Star. Of course, this means that Darth Vader is alive and mostly well during this timeline, so fans are curious how the iconic villain will appear in the film.

And, now, one keen-eyed fan has spotted something that hints Darth Vader might appear without his armor in Rogue One.

Over on Reddit, user @Toa_Quarax did some sleuthing after watching a featurette for Rogue One. The netizen noticed there was a familiar prosthetic hidden in the background of one quick scene, and it looks very much like Darth Vader. The piece itself is an FX torso stripped naked. A cloth partially obscures the dummy's lower-half, but fans can clearly see that its left arm is severed just like Anakin Skywalker's limb was. There also appears to be scarring scattered about the dummy's chest, and its face is fitted with what appears to be a barebones respirator similar to the one Luke Skywalker wore briefly during Star Wars: Episode V.

If you look to the right, then you can also see some concept art that further connects the dummy to Darth Vader. The artwork depicts a body that is missing both is arms and legs, so there is an obvious indicator there. Fans will remember that Anakin lost his limbs after dueling with Obi-Wan Kenobi on Mustafar.

Clearly, the dummy and artwork appear to be referencing none other than Darth Vader; However, will fans actually see the chracter sans armor in Rogue One? Well, if one fan-theory is correct, then it seems so.

In a post by Star Wars News Net, the site speculates that the dummy body may be used in a scene that fans were teased with in the first Rogue One teaser trailer. The preview featured a short scene where a cloaked figure entered a room containing an alleged bacta tank whilst Imperial royal guards followed. If you connect the dots, then it would make sense if the unknown character was none other than Darth Vader preparing to dip himself in the tank. Or, at the least, it may be another high-ranking Imperialist coming to check on the former Jedi while he gets treated.

After all, fans know that Darth Vader still struggled with his horrific injuries after he acquired them on Mustafar. A bacta tank could help ease the Sith Lord's pain just as one was used to heal Luke Skywalker after he was injured on Hoth. The dummy might be seen submerged in the bacta tank during Rogue One while a pair of high-ranking guards ensure Darth Vader is left undisturbed.

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So, what do you think? Will we see Darth Vader lay down his armor in Rogue One when it debuts? Let us know what you think in the comment below.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story hits theaters on December 16, 2016.