What we learned from new 'Rogue One' trailer and how 'Rogue' could be a hit

'Rogue One,' the newest movie to be set in the 'Star Wars' universe, stars Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, and Forest Whitaker.

A new trailer has been released for the upcoming “Star Wars” film “Rogue One.” 

“Rogue,” which stars actors including Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, and Forest Whitaker, takes place around the time of the original 1977 film and centers on a group of people who are trying to obtain the plans for the Death Star, the Galactic Empire battle station that appeared in the first “Star Wars” movie.

A new trailer for the film debuted during the Olympics on NBC and showed more of the characters in the film, with Ms. Jones’ character Jyn Erso appearing reluctant to work with the Rebels. “Let’s just get this over with, shall we?” she asks when she is brought into a meeting to be informed of her mission. 

Captain Cassian Andor (Mr. Luna) offers Jyn aid, and there are glimpses of Saw Gerrera, the character portrayed by Mr. Whitaker; Baze Malbus, who is portrayed by Jiang Wen; and the character Chirrut Imwe, who is portrayed by Donnie Yen. 

Robot K-2SO (voiced by Alan Tudyk) shows his loyalty to Cassian. “The captain says you are a friend,” he tells Jyn. 

The clip ends with a glimpse of what is one of the most famous screen villains of all time: Darth Vader (voiced again by James Earl Jones), who appears at the end of the clip, breathing loudly as always. 

"Rogue" will be released on Dec. 16.

The movie will be the newest “Star Wars” movie after last December’s “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” which was the first “Star Wars” film in a decade. One might say it found success: it’s now the highest-grossing movie of all time domestically without adjusting for inflation.

What can “Rogue” learn from “Force”? Judging from the plot of “Rogue,” the upcoming movie seems to be similar to “Force” in one sense: like “Force,” “Rogue” draws on the “Star Wars” of the past, movies that are beloved by fans. Many noted that parts of the plot of “Force” echoed those of the 1977 movie “Star Wars,” in particular, including a desert planet setting and the need to help one of the female characters get out of an enemy’s stronghold.

And “Rogue” doesn’t just have similarities to earlier movies: it also takes place at the same time as them, with overlapping characters including the famous Darth Vader. 

If “Rogue” reminds moviegoers of earlier, successful “Star Wars” movies like “Force” did, then “Rogue” may become a hit as well.