The hype around Star Wars: The Force Awakens has largely died off. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is the first of a planned series of standalone anthology films to be produced during the years when there will be no new “Episode” of Star Wars. While J.J. Abrams recently arrived and triumphed at the box office, our attention has now shifted to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

Although there is still a lot we don’t know about Rogue One, if the rumors and speculation are true, we have every reason to be thrilled about it. There’s a high chance that Rogue One may outperform both the spectacle and the thrill of The Force Awakens, and here are seven reasons why.

1. The Appearance of Recognizable Figures

The Star Wars franchise

The nefarious Galactic Empire will make a cameo in Rogue One, but the specifics of that presence are unclear to us. The film takes place when the Empire is at its peak, before the Rebellion destroys the Death Star, and there have been whispers that General Moff Tarkin, originally played by the late Peter Cushing, will make a cameo appearance. On the other hand, it appears that Lucasfilm has spent a significant amount of time and work attempting to digitally recreate the high-ranking Imperial. It would be fantastic if Tarkin could make a return on the big screen in some capacity.

2. Unknowns and Unknowns Mikkelsen, Mads

Mikkelsen, Mads

Although Mads Mikkelsen is a wonderfully skilled actor (if you haven’t seen The Hunt, it’s currently streaming on Netflix), the particular role he will play in the production remains unknown. Given his great performances in Hannibal and Casino Royale, it’s probably safer to presume he’ll have some sort of Dark Side affiliation. Perhaps he’ll play a figure comparable to Tarkin, in charge of the staff.

There are reports that he is a scientist named Galen who helped the Empire construct the Death Star but eventually deserted to the rebel cause after having a moral crisis. This type of story may work well with Rogue One; after all, the Rebels could need an insider to inform them where the blueprints are buried.

3. “Star Wars: Shadow Troopers”

The film Rogue One

Even if you merely say the word “Shadow Trooper” to yourself, your imagination will be flooded with exciting story ideas. According to leaked internet material, there is a new breed of Imperial foot soldier known as Shadow Troopers. These troops would wear black helmets and have strange silver features. Shadow Troopers have also been spotted in EA’s most current Star Wars game, Battlefront.

In the comic book series Dark Empire II, it was revealed that some droids like this retained the minds of deceased Imperials and were imbued with the Dark Side of the Force. This allowed them to communicate with Emperor Palpatine mentally, which is incredible. The series debuted in the 1990s. If the backstories of the Shadow Troopers in Rogue One are similar to those of the Death Troopers in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, they will be properly lethal and dangerous.

4. How about Leia and Han Solo?

The Star Wars franchise

Contrary to popular belief, The Force Awakens may not have been the final time we saw Han Solo and Princess Leia onscreen together. There is a chance that Rogue One will have the two popular original characters, even if they will not interact with one other. Lucasfilm is currently casting a younger version of Han Solo, and if successful, the younger Han Solo may make a cameo appearance in Rogue One. Given that Leia is seen in possession of the Death Star designs at the start of A New Hope, her involvement in the tale makes a lot of sense.

5. There’s a Chance It’ll Be Related to Star Wars: Rebels

Rebels in Star Wars

The animated television series Star Wars: Rebels and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story both take place between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. On December 16, 2016, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story was released in theaters. Furthermore, they both place a high priority on the actions of the Rebel Alliance. Is it possible, then, that the two stories will become interwoven at some point? That is not an impossible scenario to envisage.

Rebels producer Simon Kinberg was cited in April of the previous year as saying, “Absolutely, there’s been controversy about it,” before walking back his statement with a real-world parallel. As an example, he stated, “We never meet the Chilean miners who are trapped in that mine,” but added, “we hear about it and the world reacts to it.”

6. Boba Fett

Fett, Boba

This is without a doubt one of the most intriguing rumors that has circulated. Boba Fett, the brave and downright badass bounty hunter, could make an appearance in Rogue One. Boba Fett was last seen plunging into the mouth of the fearsome Sarlaac in 1983’s Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. When Rogue One costumes and concept art were revealed a few weeks ago at the German Nuremberg ToyFair, the intriguing inclusion of Fett’s iconic Slave 1 spacecraft sparked some wildfire speculation. Rogue One will be released on December 16, 2017. The fact that Slave 1 is depicted in a Lego set may not be significant for the movie, but since he is of no value to us in the afterlife, they have no choice but to bring him back, right?

Darth Vader’s Fantasy Team

MakingStarWars, a typically trustworthy source, said a few weeks ago that they had received word that “The Darth Vader Dream Team” was being recruited for the film Rogue One, directed by Gareth Edwards.

They said: “According to reliable sources, the Darth Vader outfit from Star Wars: A New Hope has been painstakingly recreated to match the film perfectly. This was done to assure consistency.” Because the costume is so accurate to the original, everyone seemed to be very delighted and impressed with the work that Brian Muir and his colleagues did into producing it.

The most exciting news is that James Earl Jones, who played Darth Vader’s voice, heart, and soul, will reprise his role as the villain in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Darth Vader, as we know him from the original Star Wars film, has essentially returned, complete with his appearance, voice, and energy. There is no word on whether he has already recorded his lines or whether he will do so during the post-production process.

Although it is unknown which action sequences were filmed, there was effort made to sell the multiple ways Darth Vader could kill rebels on a battlefield using the Force and his lightsaber. The storyboard “pitches” included visions of rebels being beheaded, people being dismembered by Darth Vader tossing his blade, bodies being levitated to build human shields, and a variety of other horrible images. The carnage shown in the artwork was more heinous than anything Darth Vader has ever done on screen.