Los Angeles, Nov 25 (IANS): Actor Mads Mikkelsen says its is a big honour to be part of the "legendary film universe" of "Star Wars" film franchise.

Mikkelsen stars in "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story"-- the first in a new series of "Star Wars" standalone films set in the same universe, but with new characters and story-lines, the publicist said.

It follows a band of Rebel fighters stealing the plans for the Death Star before it can be used by the Emperor. The film also stars Felicity Jones and Forest Whitaker.

"It's a big honour to be part of this legendary film universe. Something very interesting to me about 'Star Wars' is that it's quite human, even though we have Droids and different kinds of creatures that look very different from the human race," Mikkelsen said.

"Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" is slated to release on December 16.

On the big screen, Mikkelsen garnered rave reviews for his role as arch villain in Benedict Cumberbatch-starrer "Doctor Strange".