Motion capture and visual effects bring back Tarkin for 'Rogue One'

One of the best-kept secrets of 2016 was the fact that a major character in Gareth Edwards' "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" would be appearing on screen for the first time since the actor who portrayed him passed away over 20 years ago. Through visual effects wizardry and a live-action performance by actor Guy Henry, the commander of the first Death Star in 1977's "Star Wars," Grand Moff Tarkin, was brought back to the big screen as though the late Peter Cushing was still portraying him. For John Knoll, it was the most difficult aspect of his responsibilities as visual effects supervisor on the global blockbuster. An Oscar winner for his work on "Pirates of the Caribbean – Dead Man's Chest," Knoll believes the illusion wouldn't have succeeded without Henry's presence. The effects team's job was effectively that of someone who would be creating cosmetic or prosthetic makeup.