It's Return of the Sith. Yes after much speculation from Star Wars fans in the run up to the release of Rogue One later this year, Disney/Lucas has confirmed that the Dark Lord of the Sith WILL be making an appearance in the prequel.
Rumours about Vader's return began with the release of the movie's first trailer a few months ago and as more details became available.
First off the time line worked. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is set just before the original Star Wars movie, A New Hope, and secondly the premise left room for Vader's return as the movie deals with a band of Rebel fighters tasked with stealing the plans for the Death Star.
Well now, the publication Entertainment Weekly has put fans out of their misery by splashing the news across the cover of their latest edition - though alas there's no pic of him as yet.
It also interviewed Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy who was asked about which characters from the original trilogy may turn up alongside the new cast.
After a brief hesitation, Kennedy disclosed: “I think we can talk about Vader…”. So there you have it! However she also revealed that his scenes will be brief.
“He will be in the movie sparingly,” she says. “But at a key, strategic moment, he’s going to loom large.”
However the news that will really delight fans is the revelation that James Earl Jones, who's 85, will reprise his role as the voice of Darth Vader.
While Vader will be making a welcome return to the franchise, he’s not the main villain.
That accolade goes to a white-cloaked character, Director Orson Krennic, played by Ben Mendelsohn. He's described as an "ambitious Imperial apparatchik" who is using his Deathtroopers to destroy the Rebel forces.
There's plenty of other big name talent in the cast including British actress Felicity Jones who plays rebel Jyn Erso, Mads Mikkelsen and Oscar winner Forest Whitaker. It's also rumoured that Alden Ehrenreich (who recently impressed critics in the Coen Brothers' Hail, Caesar!) will make his first appearance as the young Han Solo in the film.
Recently it was reported that Disney had ordered re-shoots for Rogue One because executives are reportedly "not fully satisfied" with the first cut in particular the apparently dark tone of the movie.
It seems that director Gareth Edwards has been told to go back and produce something in keeping with the lighter vibe in the other movies in the franchise.
