Rogue One Star Wars trailer: Shot-by-shot breakdown featuring Darth Vader

We also get a better glimpse at new droid 2-KSO, and learn about the impending danger which may befall the desert planet Jedha

Summer's blockbusters may have whizzed past, but in their dust arises a formidable shadow: Star Wars season looms on the horizon.

NBC's Olympics coverage brought a fuller look at this year's celestial offering, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which follows a wayward band of Rebel fighters brought together for one improbable mission: steal the plans for the Death Star.

These events, of course, directly link into the first scenes of A New Hope; when Princess Leia is seen concealing the plans in R2-D2 before she's captured by the Galactic Empire.

The centre of interest here, though, is inevitably our very first glimpse at the return of a cinematic icon: none other than Darth Vader. Though it's only the back of his head revealed in the trailer's final shot, that's still strangely enough to send any dedicated Star Wars fan into fits of untameable excitement.

So what exactly can learn from this trailer that's a little more educational than merely gawping at how downright incredible it all looks? Here's a shot-by-shot breakdown to obsessively pour over for clues as to what the first of the planned Star Wars anthology films may bring.

This trailer opens with a stunning shot of a new territory; the desert landscape hinting this is the planet Jedha, described by Gareth Edwards as, "a holy land for those who follow the Force". However, what's key here is the smattering of Imperial fighters in the sky; as Edwards also revealed, Jedha is under Imperial occupation during the events of Rogue One, as "there’s something very important in Jedha that serves both the Jedi and the Empire."

If the rumours are true, this could very well turn out to be a source of Kyber Crystals; used both in lightsabers, and more tellingly to power the Death Star's superlaser.

We're also starting to get a better focus on Rogue One's main players; with the trailer narrowing in on Jyrn Erso (Felicity Jones) and Captain Cassian Andor (Diego Luna)'s growing camaraderie. "If you're really doing this, I want to help," Cassian tells Jyn; with a later admittance, "I've been recruiting for the rebellion for a long time."

There's definitely a vibe that Jyn's not much of a team player initially, but perhaps it's in learning to trust Cassian and his motivations that she starts on the journey to becoming a true leader and hero.

Baze Malbus (Jiang Wen)'s, "You destroyed our home", line provides some telling backstory on both him and compatriot Chirrut Îmwe (Donnie Yen).

It's a little uncertain which planet Baze is actually talking about; yet, it's clear Rogue One is out to put a more brutal lens on Imperial occupation, with the character revealed at Comic-con - Edrio Two Tubes - also joining the Rebellion after the occupation of his own planet.

Chirrut's sense of spirituality - and the blind warrior's belief in the Force - takes centre stage during this moment; one that plays in contrast to Baze's own skepticism, which should make for some interesting interplay between the two characters. The Rogue One panel at Star Wars Celebration may have also accidentally let slip a pretty huge spoiler about the pair, too.

Celebration's panel also highlighted how new droid K-2SO (Alan Tudyk) is filling in for comic relief in this movie; an Imperial droid reprogrammed by Cassian, he's looking to be a mixture of C-3PO and Marvin the Paranoid Android from Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. "There is a 97.6% chance of failure," he later chimes in. All together now - never tell me the odds!

Oh no. This doesn't look good - is this the Death Star in orbit around Jedha? "There isn't much time," Jyn worryingly utters; before cutting to a shot of the planet's sun blacking out, and Director Orson Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn) looking disturbingly determined.

Adding to the general threat of Jyn's team being captured by the Empire in their attempt to steal the Death Star plans, it looks as if Jedha's entire fate may also hang in the balance, potentially arising directly out of the Rebellion's actions.

There's not much to learn here - except for highlighting the vastly different tone that's been a focus of so much of Disney's promotions for the film, with the Celebration panel pushing the idea this is the gritty war film entry into the Star Wars universe.

Things are definitely not looking good for Jedha, with what appears to be Jyn and Cassian making an escape from the planet's destruction by jumping into hyperspace?

Okay, so it's just the back of his head - but what a head, right? ((Lucasfilm))

Here we go - the moment everyone was waiting for, Lord Darth Vader himself. What's interesting here, however, is the fact this is a slightly different shot from that seen in the Celebration trailer, though they appear to both take place in the same location - some sort of mission control centre for the Death Star's construction.

That may not say much, though it's probably important to adjust expectations, as Vader's role will likely not be much more than a brief - but nicely sinister - cameo.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story hits UK theatres 16 December.