The 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story' Final Trailer Is Epic, Stirring, And Beautiful

It’s safe to say, most of us are excited for a Star Wars movie, any Star Wars movie. But we have a lot to look forward to with Rogue One: A Star Wars Story later this year—it’s the first of the “standalone” films, it explores different corners of that far, far away galaxy we all adore, it’s supposedly a gritty war film, it has little to do with the Force, and much more. And it looks incredible, including the latest, purportedly final trailer. Check it out below.

This Rogue One: A Star Wars Story trailer is gorgeous and epic and sweeping in a way that sets it apart from the rest of the saga. We’ve spent seven movies and countless cursory endeavors building this universe, but what we see here still looks new and fresh.

We also dive deeper into the character and stories of Rogue One. Those of us who’ve followed every last detail, know that Galen Erso (Mads Mikkelsen) plays the father of Jynn Erso (Felicity Jones), and that he has something to do with the construction of the first Death Star, but that’s placed at the forefront here. It also gives us a bit more background on the protagonist—she was apparently captured by the Empire, perhaps to motivate her father, and freed by the Rebels.

Aside from that, there’s not a ton of new plot information—set just before A New Hope, Rogue One tells the story of the theft of Death Star plans used by Luke Skywalker and company. But there’s a ton of detail that adds nuance and texture—that fallen Jedi statue is so good. We go to new planets and places, see new things, and look at the world from a different perspective. As much as I love the Skywalker saga that forms the core of the universe, I can’t wait to witness new corners of this world.

The whole thing, the way it’s framed and presented, feels very timely and prescient. With this current election cycle having turned so base and ugly, the focus on hope, hope against great odds, hope against evil, hope against despicable, deplorable forces, is a welcome breath.

Directed by Gareth Edwards, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story opens everywhere on December 16. It can’t get here fast enough and I don’t think it could have come at a better time.