Rogue One: A Star Wars Story might very well be the movie at the top of my movies-coming-out-this-year-that-I-want-to-see list. This is a summary of what we’ve seen so far, and what I hope to see here in about a month.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Series is one of the most dreaded things in Star Wars, a prequel. Though, this is a different type of prequel. This is one of the so called “Anthology” films. It follows the story of a group, that up until recently, we really didn’t know the full extent of. Here’s what starwars.com’s databank has to say about each character:

Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) – Putting behind a checkered past by lending her skills to a greater cause, Jyn Erso is impetuous, defiant, and eager to bring the battle to the Empire. Used to operating alone, she finds higher purpose by taking on a desperate mission for the Rebel Alliance.

Captain Cassian Andor (Diego Luna)- An accomplished Alliance Intelligence officer with combat field experience, Captain Cassian Andor commands respect from his Rebel troops with his ability to keep a cool head under fire and complete his missions with minimal resources.

Chirrut Imwe (Donnie Yen) – Deeply spiritual, Chirrut Îmwe believes all living things are connected through the Force. His sightless eyes do not prevent him from being a highly skilled warrior. Though he lacks Force abilities, this warrior monk has rigorously honed his body through intense physical and mental discipline.

Baze Malbus (Jiang Wen) – The harsh reality of his Imperial-occupied home world has hardened Baze Malbus into a pragmatic soldier and a crack shot with his heavy repeater cannon. Baze has a bravado that provides a marked contrast to the spiritual centeredness of his best friend and moral compass, Chirrut Îmwe.

K-2SO (Alan Tudyk) – A reprogrammed Imperial security droid now loyal to the Alliance, K-2SO is an alarming sight standing within a secret Rebel base. The pragmatic droid is an effective insertion agent, as he can blend in perfectly at Imperial installations and outposts.

Bodhi Rook (Riz Ahmed) – A former Imperial pilot, Bodhi has strong piloting and technical skills that he will put to use for the Rebellion. Ever practical, but highly anxious, Bodhi must gather his courage to bring the battle to the Empire.

Saw Gerrera (Forest Whitaker) – A battered veteran of the Clone Wars as well as the ongoing rebellion against the Empire, Saw Gerrera leads a band of Rebel extremists. Saw has lost much in his decades of combat, but occasional flashes of the charismatic and caring man he once was shine through his calloused exterior. Gerrera is bunkered on the ancient world of Jedha, coordinating a prolonged insurgency against the Imperial occupation. Saw’s ailing health has not withered his resolve to fight.

If you want to read up on some of the other information about the characters (in live time as they update it) go to: http://www.starwars.com/databank/

That is quite the dynamic. Two ex-imperials, a blind pretty much ninja, a rebel at heart with waning health, a girl with checkered past, and the calm, charismatic captain. What should we expect? Well, I’m not perfectly sure, but here’s my best guess.

We know that Bodhi Rook is very anxious and in turn needs something or someone to give him courage. I would guess he’ll get that from Saw Gerrera. The “battered veteran” will fight even though his body is failing him. That, along with some inspiring dialogue and an awesome soundtrack, should be enough to inspire him to fight. All of that is, of course, after the original distrust passes because, well, Saw isn’t going to trust an imperial, or an ex-imperial. It’s just not in his nature (that same thing will probably carry over with K-2SO).

As starwars.com told us Baze and Chirrut are friends, with Chirrut being the “moral compass” for Baze. That relationship will probably be strained due to a decision made by Baze at some point in the movie. I figure, probably, Baze takes a shot at a person who could have been saved because of a half second decision, or he will try to do what he believes right, only to find out that it was undeniably wrong.

Jyn Erso is a loaner. She’ll take time connecting into the group. But, when she finally steps up and joins them, she’ll be the unifying force that, Captain Andor will try to be (but most likely fail at). When Jyn steps up, gives an Independence Day like speech to inspire the crew, they’ll listen, focus, and complete their mission. I suspect this speech to call out all the personal reasons for them doing this mission, with her’s having been revealed that her father is the one who designed the Death Star.

K-2SO seems like he’ll be the R2-D2 of this film, not in the way that BB-8 was in The Force Awakens (the cute droid making funny noises) but rather the last case scenario of survival. Think (no matter how much it will pain you to do so) of episode 3 when Anakin and Obi-Wan are on board General Grievous’ ship saving Chancellor Palpatine. R2-D2 sends the elevator and all in all is the only reason they all escape. I see that being K-2SO’s role in this film. Though I also see the potential for a C-3PO gets broken and whines at Chewie type of scene as well.

Captain Andor is the man who can accomplish any mission with minimal resources. Except this one. This one he needs an entire team of specialists to come together to fix the problem. The issue, it he’s not much of a mediator. He can keep a small number together for a short time, after that, someone else is going to have to step up to hold everyone together.

One thing we have confirmed: There are no Jedi present in the movie. None. No a single one. This will be (as far as I am concerned (I am counting two minutes of intense staring from Luke in the end of 7) the first star wars without Jedi. That’s going to be…weird. But, in my opinion, it will probably help the plot along. Think about it. Jedi run around with three foot lightsabers against massive AT-AT’s. I don’t care that “size matters not”, there is no way in Hoth you are going to beat a giant, armored, death walker with an overpowered glow stick!

Speaking of those walkers, we also got a look at some sweet new tech introduced into the Star Wars Universe:

AT-ACTs are going to add more fuel to a massive argument. The answer it’s pronounced “AY-Tee AY-Tee” not like the word at twice. Similarly, this is “Ay-Tee Ay-see-tee” not the word at and then the word act. They are taller, slimmer versions of their predecessors (in real life chronology, not movie chronology)

Star Wars started a tradition in movie seven with custom armor types (Think Phasma). Now we have (at least) two new types of armor. Deathtrooper- a flat clack armor with black detailing, black weapon, and yeah, you get it. They’re completely black. And fairly scary looking. Also there are scarab troopers. Which are basically just big headed Stormtroopers with some yellow paint. Who also get to ride in the top of a levitating death tank that we get a few clips of.

In terms of transportation we get to see a really new ship, the U-wing. Because apparently in a society where written English doesn’t even exist all ships must be named after the symbols in their alphabet. I mean, the U-wing, the X-wing, the Y-wing, the B-wing…and so forth.

With the return of the ever classic Death Star there are a few things returning that I’m happy to see:

Mon Mothma- She really seems like a great character who never got her chance to shine.

Bail Organa- This dude saved the lives of who knows how many Jedi after order 66 (maybe we’ll find out if there are more than just Obi and Yoda)

Darth Vader- It’s Anakin Skywalker! The man, the myth, the legend. There aren’t a whole lot of characters who can manage to die and yet still (because of the force) live on.

Stormtrooper Aim- As evidenced by the movie poster where we see the entire Rogue Squadron running in a straight line and the troopers shooting all around them, nothing’s changed.

Here are a few rumored returns I would love to see:

Boba Fett-enough said.

A man mentioned only by name, the master of Palpatine himself: Darth Plagueis. We never knew when he actually was killed by his apprentice so, perhaps he could be alive. And the odd hooded figure from the trailers, or the guy in the bacta tank from the same shot.

Starkiller- Vader’s personal trainee that ends up becoming a Jedi to fight his master. That would be a very fun story to see played out on the big screen. Perhaps with him being the one who hands the plans over as his way of leaving?

In all fairness we only have a small glimpse at what Rogue One will entail (though it is a fact now, all Star Wars leads have major daddy issues), all we know is that we never hear of the Rogue One crew again in the Star Wars movies so…either they’ll all die, some will die and the survivors go into hiding… or something else entirely. We’ll just have to wait and see on December 16^th, 2016. Until then “May the force be with you…Always”