It was to be expected, but Entertainment Weekly has confirmed today that James Earl Jones will indeed reprise the role of Darth Vader in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The actor also provided the voice of the Sith Lord in the Star Wars Rebels animated series, so Lucasfilm convincing him to return here isn’t a surprise, but is most definitely some welcome news.

So, with Darth Vader confirmed to appear in this movie, just how much of him will we see?

“He will be in the movie sparingly,” Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy teases. “But at a key, strategic moment, he’s going to loom large.” If rumours are to be believed, that’s going to be during a pretty big action sequence which may or may not have been toned down to be a little less violent during those much talked about reshoots which are now taking place.

We’re going to have to wait and see, but chances are we may catch a glimpse of him in the next trailer (expect that to probably be released next month during Star Wars Celebration).

Regardess, director Gareth Edwards then went on to elaborate on the role Vader will play in Rogue One during this point in Star Wars history. “Within the Rebellion, it’s not commonly spoken about. Within the Empire, there is the culture of knowing of the existence of Darth Vader. There’s definitely an underlying feeling that there is a power, a dark power, available to the Empire and that if you overstep your mark, you will suffer the consequences.”