First Look at Darth Vader in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Darth Vader is back! In the second trailer for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, the presence of the Dark Lord of the Sith was felt as expected, and was seen, not just heard. After his signature theme, the "Imperial March" was featured at the end of the first trailer, Vader's role in the film was confirmed by Lucasfilm, with James Earl Jones once again voicing the imposing figure. Jones actually made his return early, voicing him on Star Wars Rebels last season, as the animated series characters crossed paths with Vader a few years earlier in the timeline than those in Rogue One will.

However, since then, they've been very quiet about Darth Vader's role in the film. Downplaying it somewhat, they cautioned that he's not in too much of the movie, as they don't want to overuse such a powerful force. At Star Wars Celebration Europe, Lucasfilm opted to forego a new trailer, instead showing a three-minute behind-the-scenes featurette. When the cameras broadcasting the event to the world stopped rolling, however, they showed about 90 seconds of new footage, culminating in that reflected shot of Darth Vader, a shot director Gareth Edwards found on accident while shooting.

Now he's here for all to see, in a different shot, and the last two years of rebuilding the threat of Darth Vader brings us to his return to the big screen. The new shot comes right at the end of the trailer, with Vader's helmet seen only from behind. It's the briefest of shots, accompanied, of course, by a slow-play of the Imperial March once more, but his presence is felt; just as they intend.

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

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