The fun of being a Star Wars fan goes way beyond the movies themselves. There's the joy that comes from the toys too, whether they bring to life a beloved character for the first time or reveal a nifty piece of info on a movie that's not yet in theaters. We dig 'em. With Rogue One four months from release, Lucasfilm today unveiled its line of merchandise through a series of images and via a surprisingly slick fan-made animation.
The short film is titled Star Wars Go Rogue Chapter 1 and is the first installment in a four-part web series by writer Kevin Ulrich, stop-motion animator Dan MacKenzie and and director Tucker Barrie. The team brings together Funko Pops, Hasbro figures, and Lego kits, to tell a story that's definitely got a parody-vibe to it.
But how much of the goofy visuals and plot might resemble the finished movie? Well, it's officially sanctioned by the studio as part of a contest where lucky fans who craft their own animations can win a chance to see Rogue One at a special screening. That being said, there's a whiff of plot details which could easily be plucked from the film. The Empire losing Death Star plans then sending Stormtroopers out to relocate them sounds legit, as does the Rebels flocking to intercept them at a Jedha market.
The remaining chapters of Go Rogue roll out across September. If you want in on the Star Wars stop-motion contest you can find out details over on the official site.
Directed by Gareth Edwards and starring Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Ben Mendelsohn, Forest Whitaker, and Alan Tudyk, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is scheduled to open in UK and US cinemas on December 16, 2016.
Images: Disney/LucasFilm/EW
