2. Darth Vader
The major and most likely rumour of a returning character in Rogue One surrounds Darth Vader. There's been talk for a while now, but it has really gained traction in the last few weeks, with Making Star Wars suggesting it's a sure thing, with a
Dream Team assembled to create his suit. Now they're also
reporting some details of what he'll be up to in the film, and, well, it sounds rather fantastic, in a lots-of-heroes-getting-horrifically-slaughtered kind of way:
"The storyboard 'pitches' showed decapitated rebels, people being dismembered by Vader throwing his sword, levitating bodies to make human shields, and so on. The art was more violent than what weve seen Darth Vader do on screen before."
Impressive. Most impressive. It's also believed that James Earl Jones will be back to voice the character again, which isn't too much of a surprise given he is so crucial to the role, and has already returned to it for Star Wars Rebels. That show also points to the use of Vader in Rogue One and why it's so likely, because we've seen him used in a similar manner to track down Rebels there, so it fits he'd be doing the same here, and gives further understanding to his rage at the beginning of A New Hope.