'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story' may take place immediately before the events of the original 1977 'Star Wars,' but you won't find too many familiar faces involved in the plot to steal the Death Star plans. Here's everything you need to know about this new crew of heroes and villains.

Jyn Erso

Our chief protagonist is a Rebel soldier named Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones), a spirited freedom fighter who begins the film in an Imperial prison cell. When this unlikely heroine learns that her father has hand in designing the Empire's new superweapon, she finds herself thrust in the middle of the Galactic Civil War.

Captain Cassian Andor

Did you think the Rebel Alliance was going to rely on a loose cannon like Jyn without any backup? Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) is an experienced Rebel intelligence operative, a cool-under-fire combat veteran whose practical, straightforward nature provides a strong counterpoint to his less predictable comrades.

Director Orson Krennic

The veteran officer in charge of the secret Death Star Project, Director Orson Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn) is a master manipulator who relies on his wits and his personal squadron of black-armored "Death Troopers" to navigate the treacherous waters of Imperial bureaucracy. He intends to deliver his decades-in-the-making superweapon at all costs.

Bodhi Rook

When we first meet Bodhi Rook (Riz Ahmed), this hot-tempered pilot from the desert moon of Jedha is a pilot working for the Empire, hauling cargo and keeping his head down. However, a chain of events awaken him to the Rebel cause, leading him to switch sides in the conflict.

Chirrut Îmwe

Although Chirrut Îmwe (Donnie Yen) is not a Jedi, he is a strong believer in the mystical powers of the Force and has dedicated his life to its teachings. This blind warrior eschews traditional weapons in favor of a staff, taking down Stormtroopers in up-close-and-personal combat.

Baze Malbus

He may be Chirrut Îmwe's best friend and protector, but Baze Malbus (Jiang Wen) has little in common with his spiritual buddy. He's a freelance assassin and expert marksman, believing more in the power of his heavy blaster weapons than in the power of the Force.

K-2SO

Looming over most humans, the intimidating appearance of K-2SO (Alan Tudyk) betrays his origins as an Imperial enforcer droid. Reprogrammed to serve the Rebel cause, he now serves as a loyal companion to Cassian Andor... although his social graces could use a little fine-tuning.

Galen Erso

Galen Erso (Mads Mikkelsen) may be one of the chief designers of the Death Star, but this pacifist scientist has been forced to work against his will by the cruel Director Krennic. It's his secret transmission that alerts the Rebels to the superweapon's existence, bringing his daughter Jyn into the fray.

Saw Gerrera

Originally introduced in the 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars' TV series, Saw Gerrera (Forest Whitaker) has known war his entire life and has the robotic prosthetics to prove it. Viewed as a radical and terrorist by other Rebels, Saw's personal war against the Empire has only grown more violent with time.

Darth Vader

Does the most famous villain in movie history even need an introduction? Director Krennic may be the lead villain of 'Rogue One,' but Emperor Palpatine's right-hand Sith lord lingers in the background, acting as the connecting tissue between this movie and the original trilogy.