Darth Vader has been confirmed as featuring in the upcoming Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, the prequel to 1977’s A New Hope. The news was confirmed on Tuesday's edition of ‘Good Morning America’, when they unveiled Entertainment Weekly’s latest cover which promises the inside scoop on the movie.

Speaking about Darth Vader’s involvement, Entertainment Weekly's Anthony Breznican told ‘Good Morning America’: "Darth Vader kind of looms large over the plot even when he's not necessarily on screen."

More: Chewbacca Mask Mom: Literally The Funniest 'Star Wars' Fan Ever [Video]

The film’s main villain will be played by ‘Bloodlines’ Ben Mendelsohn, whose character is said to have Vader looking over his shoulder throughout. “He’s trying to fulfil the wishes of the emperor and he's got Vader looming in the background over his shoulder,” Breznican said.

The film is set just before the events of 1977’s Episode IV – A New Hope, and will explore how the Rebellion came to possess the information that revealed the fatal flaw in the Empire’s super weapon.

Besides Darth Vader’s appearance the cast will be made up of new characters, led by Felicity Jones as Jyn Erso and Mads Mikkelsen as her scientist father. Erso is described as ‘an outlaw who has clashed with both the Rebellion and the Empire, and now has a chance to clear her ledger of past wrongs by leading a mission for the good guys’.

More: Here's Everything We Know About The New Han Solo, Alden Ehrenreich

The cast, which is the most multicultural of any Star Wars film. also includes Diego Luna, Riz Ahmed, Donnie Yen, Jiang Wen, Forest Whitaker, Alan Tudyk and Jonathan Aris. Directing is Gareth Edwards, who recently helmed the Godzilla reboot. Rogue One hits theatres on December 16, 2016.