The countdown to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is growing thinner by the day, and the closer we get to the coveted release date, the more we learn about the spin-off. Promotional materials for the highly anticipated film are already starting to trickle out, from an increase in TV spots to magazines doing their special Rogue One cover stories. Today we have a case of the latter, as Empire Magazine is teasing their upcoming Rogue One issue with a new photo of two tough looking Rebels. Check it out.
Courtesy of the Empire Magazine Twitter, we've got a new photo showing off Baze Malbus and Chirrut Îmwe, two new characters being introduced into the Star Wars pantheon. It looks like they're getting ready for some kind of action, giving that Chirrut looks like he's ready to knock someone's head off. It isn't clear where they are or when this scene takes place, but it appears like they are on the Tatooine-like desert planet seen in several trailers thus far.
Baze and Chirrut are just two of the new characters being introduced by Rogue One and barely a handful of information has been released about them collectively. The two of are mercenaries, recruited onto the team that will attempt to steal the plans to the Death Star, an operation that will be pivotal in the eventual defeat of the Galactic Empire. The duo come as a set and operate together as partners, though their backstory is still largely unknown.
Baze Malbus is played by Jiang Wen, who has primarily been a star in Chinese films. Baze has a rough personality and views the world with a strict sense of pragmatism; e has little belief in spirituality or the Force. Baze is known to be a crack shot and carries around a heavy repeater cannon. He's got no lost love for the Empire, which occupies his home planet of Jedha.
In stark opposition of his partner Baze, Chirrut Îmwe (Donnie Yen, a Hong Kong martial arts staple) is a very spiritual being. Though he is not sensitive to it, he strongly believes in the Force and the way of the Jedi. His strong sense of belief is what allows him to be such a skillful warrior, despite his blindness. He primarily fights with a staff and quick shots from trailers prove that he really knows how to use it.
Baze and Chirrut's ultimate fate and purpose in Rogue One is still unknown, but fans won't have to wait too long to learn more. The Rogue One press circuit is no doubt coming up soon, which means there will be no shortage of press and talk show interviews to help decipher any new details. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story opens in theaters on December 16, 2016.
