Jimmy Smits, who played Senator Bail Organa in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, has confirmed he will be returning to the Star Wars universe, for the upcoming prequel Rogue One.
Smits first portrayed the character in Episode II: Attack of the Clones in 2002. However, Organa is most notable for being killed off-screen when the Death Star blew up his home planet Alderaan in the original Star Wars in 1977.
While Smits emphasised to The Talk that it was a: “small role”, his cameo will help establish another connection between the prequel trilogy and Disney’s new series.
In the 2005 film Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, Organa is shown adopting an infant Princess Leia. This means that Organa’s cameo in Rogue One may suggest that a younger version of that character might also make an appearance.
Other characters returning for the prequel include Darth Vader and Mon Mothma, the leader of the rebellion from Return of the Jedi.
Star Wars: Rogue One releases on December 16, 2016. Watch the trailer below:
