The flashy powers of the Jedi are fascinating, but the bulk of the people fighting for freedom in the Star Wars universe don't own lightsabers. Rogue One is about those people. The film also omits the customary opening crawl and features a score by Michael Giacchino.

The character of Grand Moff Tarkin, played in the original Star Wars (1977) by Peter Cushing, is revived and "performed" by Cushing, despite his death in 1994. Cushing was resurrected with CGI by Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) with the blessing of his estate.

The Death Troopers served as Director Krennic's bodyguards. They wore black suits of body-armor and specialized helmets with vocal scramblers.

When Jyn Erso leads a small squad of Rebel volunteers to raid the Imperial databank, Bodhi Rook dubs their stolen Imperial ship "Rogue One".

The Empire is removing kyber crystals from the holy city to power the Death Star.

Although a small and idyllic world, Scarif played an important part in the Galactic Empire's military-industrial complex, becoming a center for top-secret research beyond inspection distance of the prying eyes of the Imperial Senate.

Lyra is killed by a death trooper when she threatens Krennic with a blaster.

Erso and his family are hiding on the planet Lah'mu when Imperial forces arrive and press him into completing the Death Star.

Saw Gerrera became a key figure in the fight against the Galactic Empire and the formation of the Alliance to Restore the Republic. His tactics against the Empire led him to be seen as an extremist.

Chirrut Îmwe's sightless eyes do not prevent him from being a highly skilled warrior.