The fact that we’re dealing with an almost entirely new cast of characters and a story that is only barely related to the fist Star Wars movie sets up for an odd addition to the franchise.
Rogue One will be the first standalone Star Wars movie that will deal with characters other than those named Skywalker.
While the Star Wars name by itself will surely bring large crowds to the theater it still remains to be seen if the movie will be anything nearly as big as Star Wars: The Force Awakens was a year ago.
While Darth Vader will be making an appearance in the film, every indication is that the role is fairly small and that it will be Ben Mendelsohn’s Imperial officer who will be the primary villain of the piece.