'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story' news: New images released on 'Rogue Friday' feature Darth Vader

Just like "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" launched the release of all its new merchandise with an event called "Rogue Friday" last week. Along with the event, a batch of new images has been released and they include characters like Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones), Captain Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), and the returning Darth Vader.

The images were released by the Topps "Star Wars" Card Trader app, and they are said to be promotional images which will be put on various items related to "Rogue One." Aside from the pictures of Erso, there is also a full image of her Rogue One Squadron which includes the characters of Donnie Yen, Jiang Wen, and Riz Ahmed. The image also has the new alien characters like Pao and Bistan, as well as Alan Tudyk's motion-capture droid K2-SO.

On to the Imperial side of the war, a new image of the hovertank from the trailer has also been released. This time, fans get to see the tank in action as its guns are poised for attack; there is also an image of two hovertank drivers looking outside from the vehicle. Classic stormtroopers are also in the picture, as well as a lone sandtrooper.

Going on to Vader, the new image is just his helmet with what looks like schematics of the Death Star overlaying his face. The image also includes pictures of the new (or rather "alternate") Imperial fighter ship known as the TIE Striker. "Rogue One" will be the first movie where these ships appear, but it's implied that they have existed back in the original trilogy — this is a prequel after all.

Darth Vader's return is considered to be one of the major draws for this movie, and his appearance is considered to be more of a glorified cameo. There is said to be a fight scene that includes him, and it has been described as "brutal."

To see all the images, click here.

"Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" will come out this Dec. 16.