While fans around the world eagerly await for the December 2017 release of the eighth episode in the Star Wars franchise, the first anthology (of potentially three films) entitled "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," is just days away from its worldwide release. Set in the Star Wars universe and taking place between Episodes 3 and 4, the standalone film focuses on a group of Rebels on a quest to steal the plans for the Empire’s new superweapon, the Death Star.

The highly anticipated film is said to be quite different from the other Star Wars movies in that it will have a more realistic quality to it. The film will capture the rawness and hostility of war, while at the same time keeping the essence of hope and bravery at the forefront. The chief of Lucasfilm, Kathleen Kennedy, describes "Rogue One" as a “somewhat edgier and slightly darker” Star Wars film.

With a plethora of all new characters, planets, droids, and Stormtroopers, there will be a lot to look forward to with this extravagant space opera, including the return of the most iconic villain in movie history, Darth Vader. Veteran voice actor, James Earl Jones will reprise his role as the voice of Vader in his first return to the franchise since 2005. Although it has been said that Vader will not have a whole lot of screen time in "Rogue One," he will however, still play a key role in the plot of the film. Simply seeing the Sith Lord on the big screen for the first time in eleven years will leave fans breathless.

Jyn Erso, (Felicity Jones) is themovies main character. This will mark the second Star Wars film to have a female lead and the first to have the most diverse cast which includes Diego Luna, Forest Whitaker, Riz Ahmed, Donnie Yen, and Baze Malbus. Directed by Gareth Edwards ("Godzilla") and produced by Simon Emanuel ("Harry Potter") and Allison Shearmur ("Hunger Games"), the film is sure to be a massive success. With opening US box office predictions ranging from $130 to $150 million, "Rogue One" could hold the title as the second biggest December opening of all time, behind "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."

We thought the franchise ended back in 2005 with Episode 3 so we grieved, said our goodbyes, and may or may not have rewatched the saga over and over again. However, to our surprise, we were all happily proven wrong years later with the announcement of a new trilogy to continue the epic saga. Now on top of that, Disney is introducing new standalone films between each episode. What a time to be a Star Wars fan!

Tickets for "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" are now on sale. Check out the trailer below and be sure to catch it in theaters December 16!