'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story' news: First trailer released

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Lucasfilm

"Star Wars" fanatics have a reason to rejoice again because the first trailer for "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" has arrived. The rebels are all hyped up about the new weapon of the Galactic Empire, the Death Star, and they want to steal those plans.

"Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" or "Rogue One" is the first stand-alone story for the franchise that is set prior to the events of "Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope." This is also a part of the "Star Wars" anthology series, which will feature several stand-alone films. The upcoming film was announced last May 2014.

The upcoming movie stars Felicity Jones as Jyn Erso, the lead character, who is a rebel soldier with a lot of criminal background. During the first scene in the trailer, one can be heard saying, "Forgery of imperial documents, possession of stolen property aggravated assault... Reckless, aggressive and undisciplined." She is also tasked to be the spy and get all the necessary information about the Death Star and how to destroy it.

Also starring on the film are Riz Ahmed, Diego Luna, Mads Mikkelsen, Donnie Yen, Forest Whittaker, Jiang Wen, Alan Tudyk and Ben Mendelsohn.

"Star Wars" fans have a lot to process from the almost two-minute trailer: a fight scene between several Rebels and stormtroopers, AT-AT firing at the rebels, several more stormtroopers, a Star Destroyer moving alongside the massive Death Star, explosion in a village, a person with ninja-like skills and a whole lot more.

The clip also shows an Imperial Admiral Officer, who is most probably the antagonist, played by Mendelsohn. Nobody knows the name of the villain yet.

Whittaker is also shown in the trailer, but his character also remains unknown

Variety added in a previous report that Ahmed and Luna are playing as Alliance fighters.

Hans Solo will also have his own anthology film and will likely be released in May 2018. The story will evolve around younger years of Han Solo, events that led him to be the smuggler he is known today. A third anthology film is also planned for Boba Fett, the infamous bounty hunter. This will not arrive until 2020.

"Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" is set to hit the theaters during this year's Christmas season, Dec. 16.

News
Black smoke ends first day of papal conclave
Black smoke ends first day of papal conclave

A ballot has been held on the first day of the papal conclave but not yielded a new pope. 

‘Don’t forget the seafarers,’ says Christian mission agency
‘Don’t forget the seafarers,’ says Christian mission agency

A Christian mission agency has called for the welfare of nearly two million seafarers to be taken into consideration, as the global shipping fleet cuts costs by adopting new technologies.

Vicar goes medieval and celebrates church milestone as hermit
Vicar goes medieval and celebrates church milestone as hermit

A Yorkshire vicar is taking a step back in time - over 800 years, in fact - by living as a hermit as part of a unique celebration marking a major milestone in his parish's history.

Scots urged to reject ‘extreme’ assisted suicide legislation
Scots urged to reject ‘extreme’ assisted suicide legislation

Scottish voters are being urged to contact their MSPs ahead of a Stage One vote in Holyrood next week.