'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story': 5 Burning Questions

Is that Darth Vader?

ByABC News
April 7, 2016, 9:53 AM

— -- Whether you've been a "Star Wars" fan for decades or just got into it last year with "The Force Awakens," the first teaser trailer for "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" has elements everyone will love.

The first clip aired exclusively on "Good Morning America" today and classic iconography from "A New Hope" will make fans who experienced the original trilogy in the 70's and 80's feel like a kid again.

The movie is a standalone, but set just before the events of the original film from 1977. The plot focuses on a group of rebel heroes coming together on a mission to steal the plans for the Death Star. (Remember, "Luke, use the force!")

Die-hards will be analyzing every frame, since LucasFilm packed in a ton of action into just a 1:35 minute clip. But there are also a lot of exciting questions! Like did we just see you know who? And who is that mysterious samurai pummeling all those stormtroopers?

Let's get into it, shall we!

1 - Is That the Rebel Base From 'A New Hope'?

When Felicity Jones' Jyn Erso is being walked into a compound in handcuffs, is that the Rebel base from the original movie? The same base where Luke, Han and Chewbacca were awarded medals at the end of "A New Hope"? The Rebel hats, an X-Wing and the technology inside the base look like a dead match!

2 - How Will the Movie Start?

Every other "Star Wars" movie has begun the classic way -- title card with music and the written scroll explaining the situation. We probably won't find out until the film comes out in December.

3 - Is Ben Mendelsohn Playing Grand Moff Tarkin

This is going solely off how he looks. Menacing, cruel, sinister...we could go on and on about the 2-second look we got at the possible villain. He looks a lot like Peter Cushing, who played Tarkin in the original. He's also standing on the bridge of the Death Star, which is revealed in the middle of the clip, in all its glory. But this could just be coincidence.

"Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" First trailer is seen here.
Lucasfilm

4 - IS THAT DARTH VADER? PLEASE SAY 'YES'

"Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" First trailer is seen here.
Lucasfilm

Yes, that was written in all caps. There is an all-black figure kneeling down around the 1:11 mark in the teaser. Could that be Vader paying homage to his Master? This would make sense since it's set before "A New Hope," so Vader is in his prime. We should soon find out in later trailers, but this could be another bait and switch. Exciting nonetheless! Expect a trending hashtag on this today.

5 - When Can We Learn About Donnie Yen's Samurai Warrior?

"Star Wars" is at its best when it pushes the envelope, which is exactly what Yen's character looks to be doing. We've never seen anything like him in the canon films, and that is the essence of "Star Wars." Who is this guy? Is he from Erso's home planet? Why is he beating the heck out of stormtroopers in his scene? We should definitely find this and more out in clips to come.

"Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" First trailer is seen here.
Lucasfilm

Get excited for more "Rogue One" clips in the near future and the full movie hits theaters on Dec. 16.