Star Wars Rogue One release date, plot news spoilers: film is about people losing their faith in the Force

"Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" may be set in the "Star Wars" universe, but the film lacks one thing that all the other movies in the franchise have — a Jedi or a Force user as the main protagonist. There's no denying the inherent appeal of a film showing the Rebel Alliance struggle against the Empire without the help of the Force.

The remaining Jedi may have gone into hiding; however, the Force still has a role to play in "Rogue One." During a press junket (via Screen Rant), director Gareth Edwards talks about the importance of the Force.

"I think without the Force as a spiritual bedrock of Star Wars, it's not really Star Wars. We knew that we didn't have specifically the Jedi in the movie because the timeline we're in, but I wanted that belief and I wanted it to be talked about and brought up."

Edwards also spoke about the desert moon Jedha and its significance in the film. He said the creative team made sure the characters would pass through the holy site and see how the people there were oppressed by the Empire.

"I feel like, at that particular point in the story people are losing their faith in the Force and have this feeling like, 'No one is coming to help us. It's all a load of nonsense and we've got to do something ourselves.'"

Meanwhile, rumors about Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) appearing in the film have been circulating lately. But if she does appear, who's going to play her? Redditor tphilb has revealed that an actress named Ingvild Deila is going to play the character.

Tarkin is also going to appear and he will be portrayed by Guy Henry. However, digital effects will probably be used to make the two characters look like the original actors who played them. Of course, this hasn't been verified yet, so readers are advised to take it with a grain of salt.

"Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" is scheduled to premiere on Dec. 16.