It looks like director Gareth Edwards just scored another "rebel fighter" for Star Wars: Rogue One. According to Variety, Edwards cast Diego Luna in a lead role opposite Felicity Jones, Riz Ahmed and Ben Mendelsohn. As we learned during Star Wars Celebration, the Star Wars: Rogue One narrative takes place between Episode III and Episode IV, and will focus on a band of resistance fighters who come together to steal the Death Star plans.
Disney and Lucasfilm have yet to confirm anything other than Jones' casting, but according to Variety's sources, Luna and Ahmed are on board to play resistance fighters and Mendelsohn will step in as the film's primary villain. Apparently Rogue One will feature a "large ensemble similar to The Dirty Dozen and Saving Private Ryan."
Per usual we don't want to get too carried away until Disney and Lucasfilm make the official announcement, but Jones, Ahmed and Luna sound like a great start to a Dirty Dozen-type ensemble and if you've see any of Mendelsohn's work, you know he's going to make a top notch villain. Variety doesn't mention Sam Claflin's involvement, but with filming expected to begin soon, I suspect we'll hear more about the Rogue One roster in the near future. The film is due in theaters on December 16, 2016.
For more on Star Wars: Rogue One, browse the recent links below:
- STAR WARS: Ben Mendelsohn Talks ROGUE ONE Rumors, Love for the Franchise
- STAR WARS ANTHOLOGY: ROGUE ONE Might Enlist Riz Ahmed and Sam Claflin [Updated]
- Felicity Jones Talks TRUE STORY and Joining the STAR WARS Franchise
- STAR WARS: ROGUE ONE: Gareth Edwards Spills Details for “Anthology Film” at Celebration