It has been a big weekend for Darth Vader at the Star Wars Celebration in London. Just a month after Lucasfilm confirmed that the Sith Lord everyone loves to hate would be a featured player in Rogue One—the company’s first standalone Star Wars film, which will hit theaters on December 16—those fans lucky enough to be in attendance at the European fete of all things Star Wars on Friday were treated to a first look at the helmeted one in a not-for-public-release sizzle reel. (Of course, the internet being the internet, some footage of the video presentation—and the crowd’s enthusiastic reaction—leaked.) On Saturday, things only got better.
Today, it was announced that David Goyer—the writer behind the Blade, (rebooted) Batman, and (Henry Cavill-ized) Superman films—has teamed up with ILMxLAB to create an entirely new kind of Star Wars movie: a virtual reality feature that will immerse fans in Vader’s world. (Yes, VR goggles and headphones will be required.)
“When we looked at all the characters, places, and worlds in the Star Wars universe available to us, we asked ourselves, ‘What haven’t we seen before? Who are we curious about?,’” Goyer explained. “Darth Vader is the perfect ambassador to usher us into the Star Wars VR universe.”
No release date has been set, but we’re pretty sure even the most minor developments will prompt major headlines. The Force is strong with this project.