Star Wars is a franchise that’s always taken chances with visual effects, so it isn’t surprising that the Rogue One team looked to challenge themselves while making the movie.
Fortunately, it all worked out and Tarkin became a key supporting character in Rogue One.
Actor Guy Henry played Tarkin during principal photography and wore motion-capture materials on his head and face so he could later be replaced by Cushing.
In a report from the New York Times, ILM Chief Creative Officer John Knoll and other Lucasfilm employees described what went into creating Tarkin for Rogue One.