Mads Mikkelsen confirms ‘iconic’ Star Wars characters for Rogue One

The Hannibal actor also teased flashbacks to Jyn's childhood
'Big mix': Mads Mikkelsen says fans can expect a mix of characters
Sean Gallup/Getty
Emma Powell3 May 2016
The Weekender

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Mads Mikkelsen has confirmed “iconic” Star Wars characters will be making an appearance in the forthcoming Rogue One spin-off.

Mikkelsen said fans of the franchise can expect to see a mix of old and new characters in the film which is a set prior to the events of Episode 4 and will follow a group of rebels as they try to steal the plans to the Death Star.

When asked if Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) or members of the original trilogy had joined the cast on set, he told Standard Online: “Some of them – but I would reveal too much. There are iconic characters in our film and also characters you have never heard of. It’s a mix.”

The Hannibal actor – who recently revealed he is playing the father of Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) – said the Gareth Edwards directed film will also feature flash backs to Jyn's childhood.

“I spend a lot of time with [Jones] and she’s a wonderful actress. I play her dad at the time of Felicity and I play her dad when she’s younger, so we jump back and forth in time.”

Mikkelsen admitted he had to seek help from his co-stars as he only sat down to watch the Star Wars films after wrapping up filming on Rogue One.

“When I was a kid you were in that universe or you were into Bruce Lee. And I was Bruce Lee," he said.

“I filmed the whole thing and then I watched it. It’s nice sometimes when you don’t have any references. This is a script and we’re making a film. The flavour of the film has to be in the script – I’m not just going to take it because of the franchise.

“There were a lot of references in the script where I had to tap someone on the shoulder and go ‘I haven’t seen the other films’."

Mikkelsen – who also stars in Marvel’s newest cinematic venture, Doctor Strange – joked that he struggles to keep his role a secret when he is offered a drink.

“I’m an easy target,” he said. “If I have two pints I start blabbing. No, I don’t tell anyone. I’ve been pretty good. And once you’ve seen two people getting fired you shut up.”

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is set for UK cinema release on December 16.

Prince William & Harry visit Star Wars at Pinewood

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Mads Mikkelsen was speaking at an event to celebrate becoming the brand ambassador for XTB.

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