Mads Mikkelsen has confirmed “iconic” Star Wars characters will be making an appearance in the forthcoming Rogue One spin-off.

Mikkelsen said fans of the franchise can expect to see a mix of old and new characters in the film which is a set prior to the events of Episode 4 and will follow a group of rebels as they try to steal the plans to the Death Star.

When asked if Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) or members of the original trilogy had joined the cast on set, he told Standard Online: “Some of them – but I would reveal too much. There are iconic characters in our film and also characters you have never heard of. It’s a mix.”

The Hannibal actor – who recently revealed he is playing the father of Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) – said the Gareth Edwards directed film will also feature flash backs to Jyn's childhood.

“I spend a lot of time with [Jones] and she’s a wonderful actress. I play her dad at the time of Felicity and I play her dad when she’s younger, so we jump back and forth in time.”

Mikkelsen admitted he had to seek help from his co-stars as he only sat down to watch the Star Wars films after wrapping up filming on Rogue One.

“When I was a kid you were in that universe or you were into Bruce Lee. And I was Bruce Lee," he said.

“I filmed the whole thing and then I watched it. It’s nice sometimes when you don’t have any references. This is a script and we’re making a film. The flavour of the film has to be in the script – I’m not just going to take it because of the franchise.

“There were a lot of references in the script where I had to tap someone on the shoulder and go ‘I haven’t seen the other films’."

Mikkelsen – who also stars in Marvel’s newest cinematic venture, Doctor Strange – joked that he struggles to keep his role a secret when he is offered a drink.

“I’m an easy target,” he said. “If I have two pints I start blabbing. No, I don’t tell anyone. I’ve been pretty good. And once you’ve seen two people getting fired you shut up.”

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is set for UK cinema release on December 16.

Prince William & Harry visit Star Wars at Pinewood 11 show all Prince William & Harry visit Star Wars at Pinewood 1/11 All together now Mark Hamill, US director Rian Johnson, Britain's Prince Harry, Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, British actor John Boyega, Chewbacca and British actress Daisy Ridley pose during a tour of the Star Wars sets at Pinewood studios in Iver Heath, west of London Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images 2/11 Big hug Prince Harry greets Chewbacca on the set of Star Wars at Pinewood Studios @KensingtonRoyal 3/11 Off with his head The Duke of Cambridge, Prince William (R) tries a light sabre against his brother Prince Harry during a visit to the Star Wars film set at Pinewood Studios near Iver Heath, west of London Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images 4/11 Britain's Prince Harry meets Chewbacca during a visit to the Star Wars film set at Pinewood Studios Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images 5/11 New friend Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge smiles at BB-8 droid during a tour of the Star Wars sets at Pinewood studios in Iver Heath, west of London 6/11 Nice to meet you Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (R) talks with Chewbacca during a tour of the Star Wars sets at Pinewood studios in Iver Heath, west of London Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images 7/11 Wookie hugs Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (R) is hugged by Chewbacca as British actor John Boyega smiles during a tour of the Star Wars sets at Pinewood studios in Iver Heath, west of London Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images 8/11 To a galaxy far, far away Britain's Prince Harry sits in an A-wing fighter as he talks with US actor Mark Hamill during a tour of the Star Wars sets at Pinewood studios in Iver Heath, west of London. Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry are touring Pinewood to visit the production workshops and meet the creative teams working behind the scenes on the Star Wars films Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images 9/11 To battle Britain's Prince Harry and William William do battale with light sabers during their visit to the Star Wars film set at Pinewood Studios Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images 10/11 Britain's Prince Harry looks at a robotic mask during a tour of the Star Wars sets at Pinewood studios Adrian Dennis/Pool via AP 11/11 Britain Prince William, centre and, Britain's Prince Harry look at Star Wars character the droid C3P0 as they visit the creature and droid department at Pinewood studios Adrian Dennis/Pool via AP 1/11 All together now Mark Hamill, US director Rian Johnson, Britain's Prince Harry, Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, British actor John Boyega, Chewbacca and British actress Daisy Ridley pose during a tour of the Star Wars sets at Pinewood studios in Iver Heath, west of London Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images 2/11 Big hug Prince Harry greets Chewbacca on the set of Star Wars at Pinewood Studios @KensingtonRoyal 3/11 Off with his head The Duke of Cambridge, Prince William (R) tries a light sabre against his brother Prince Harry during a visit to the Star Wars film set at Pinewood Studios near Iver Heath, west of London Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images 4/11 Britain's Prince Harry meets Chewbacca during a visit to the Star Wars film set at Pinewood Studios Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images 5/11 New friend Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge smiles at BB-8 droid during a tour of the Star Wars sets at Pinewood studios in Iver Heath, west of London 6/11 Nice to meet you Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (R) talks with Chewbacca during a tour of the Star Wars sets at Pinewood studios in Iver Heath, west of London Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images 7/11 Wookie hugs Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (R) is hugged by Chewbacca as British actor John Boyega smiles during a tour of the Star Wars sets at Pinewood studios in Iver Heath, west of London Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images 8/11 To a galaxy far, far away Britain's Prince Harry sits in an A-wing fighter as he talks with US actor Mark Hamill during a tour of the Star Wars sets at Pinewood studios in Iver Heath, west of London. Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry are touring Pinewood to visit the production workshops and meet the creative teams working behind the scenes on the Star Wars films Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images 9/11 To battle Britain's Prince Harry and William William do battale with light sabers during their visit to the Star Wars film set at Pinewood Studios Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images 10/11 Britain's Prince Harry looks at a robotic mask during a tour of the Star Wars sets at Pinewood studios Adrian Dennis/Pool via AP 11/11 Britain Prince William, centre and, Britain's Prince Harry look at Star Wars character the droid C3P0 as they visit the creature and droid department at Pinewood studios Adrian Dennis/Pool via AP

Mads Mikkelsen was speaking at an event to celebrate becoming the brand ambassador for XTB.

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