Rogue One's Space Monkey: Who Is He?

UPDATE: Director Gareth Edwards has provided a little more information about Bistan:

It's not necessarily a character that we get to know, but I think he has a very memorable, iconic look. Bistan is one of my favorites. I can't give away what happens to him.

In other words, don't expect him to play a major role in the movie...but he sure does look cool.

The original story follows.

Last week at Star Wars Celebration Europe 2016, a behind-the-scenes video was released for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story showcasing Lucasfilm's intense war film. But the standout star of the new video was not Felicity Jones' Jyn Erso or Forest Whitaker's Saw Gerrera, but our first look at a new furry mole-like alien creature who appears to be part of this team of misfits who are out to steal the plans to the greatest weapon in the galaxy.

At a later panel, "Creatures, Droids & Aliens of Star Wars: The Force Awakens," the Star Wars creature shop team offered a larger glimpse at the character. They were unable to remember the creature's character name but revealed that he was nicknamed internally as "Space Monkey." As part of a demonstration, Space Monkey took the stage to demonstrate how the creature effects are produced. The internet has an obsession with this new alien creature, and we finally know more about the character including his name.

First of all, if you didn't see Space Monkey's appearance at the "Creatures, Droids & Aliens of Star Wars: The Force Awakens" panel, watch the video above.

In the latest edition of StarWars.com's The Star Wars Show, Lucasfilm Story Group member Pablo Hidalgo reveals that the character previously known as Space Monkey is actually named Bistan, and is a member of a species called the Iakaru, which have never before appeared in Star Wars canon.

Bistan is a member of the Rebel Alliance, a door gunner aboard a U-Wing fighter, one of the new spaceships that appears in the film. The U-Wing is, yes, shaped like a U, drop troops into battle, and then provides cover fire for them. You can see an illustration of the new Star Wars hip below:

How big of a role does Bistan have in the film? That much is not known at this time. And of course you can watch the Star Wars Show, which revealed this new information: