As we learned over the weekend, the cameras are rolling on Gareth Edwards’ Star Wars: Rogue One and after the unveiling of the first, brooding cast photo, fan theories are beginning to hit the interwebs thick and fast.
One of the most prominent of the bunch is in relation to one Biggs Darklighter, a member of the Rebel Alliance and X-Wing pilot from the original trilogy. Granted, we know that Rogue One takes places in a time before A New Hope, though one fan has stipulated that Diego Luna is playing a younger version of the cult character.
The comparative shot surfaced on Twitter, and though it’s far from confirmed – or even believable – it would be a nice wink and a nod to the original trilogy from Gareth Edwards’ spinoff.
Check out the side-by-side photo for yourself. Aside from that glorious ‘tach, there’s not much to go on, right?
There’s no way. Right? Please tell me there’s no way. #RogueOnepic.twitter.com/a23cOVG7gM
— Eleven-ThirtyEight (@eleventhirtyate) August 15, 2015
Alongside Luna for the galactic adventure are Felicity Jones, Riz Ahmed, Jiang Wen and Donnie Yen. During the Star Wars presentation at last weekend’s D23 event, Lucasfilm president and Rogue One producer Kathleen Kennedy hinted that Edwards’ spinoff marks new territory for the franchise.
“‘Rogue One’ takes place before the events of Star Wars: A New Hope and will be a departure from the saga films but have elements that are familiar to the Star Wars universe,” says Kathleen Kennedy. “It goes into new territory, exploring the galactic struggle from a ground-war perspective while maintaining that essential Star Wars feel that fans have come to know. Gareth is such an innovative director and I’m so excited to be working with him and the extraordinary ensemble cast he’s selected for ‘Rogue One.’”
Star Wars: Rogue One is expected to touch down in theaters on December 16, 2016.