'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story' spoilers: Diego Luna refers to the gritty anthology film as 'very intimate'

The massive Disney marketing machine has hit the ground running for "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" as various press junkets and even some sneak peeks for the film have taken place all throughout the course of the week. Given this, a lot of new information regarding the first-ever standalone film of the Lucasfilm Ltd. franchise has been piquing fans' interest as the show time gets nearer.

The Gareth Edwards film aims to put "Wars" in "Star Wars" as it imbibes a very grounded and gritty storyline as to how the Rebellion ended up in the first Death Star in "Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope." The movie mostly introduces a band of new characters with some snippets of familiar faces like Darth Vader (voiced by returnee James Earl Jones). But while "Rogue One" is built on the massive lore that tackles the chosen ones and Jedis, cast member Diego Luna, who is playing Rebellion veteran member Captain Cassian Andor, shares that the film is actually "very intimate."

"You wouldn't expect that when you're in a Star Wars film, and when there are ships and creatures and droids," the Mexican actor admitted when he and co-star Felicity Jones who plays the role of leader Jyn, sat down with Entertainment Weekly. "I remember moments when Gareth was like — and I was witnessing — with the camera this close to Felicity, and behind there are explosions and guys running, and he was interested in just the reaction, while all of that is actually happening. From an outsider perspective, that can look very irresponsible — like, what are you guys doing? — but he was there capturing that reaction that is unique and that can just happen if you are there in the middle of a battle."

In hindsight, there seems to be that sense of hopelessness in a film like "Rogue One" which treads the story foundations of the iconic David versus Goliath narrative. At some point, rumors are even peppered with just teases of small victories for the Freedom fighters, and fans can take comfort in the fact that whatever goes down, the rebel team will be able to carry out their mission. The question is whether Edwards will go ahead and do a full fan-service by tagging a Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) clip by the end of his contemporary prequel. The British filmmaker has remained coy on the matter but there is no denying that it would be a great way to end a darker toned film in the "Star Wars" lore.

"Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" blasts through cinemas next week, Dec. 16, in North America.