10 Best Opening Scenes From Movie Prequels

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story wasted little time letting fans know that they were in for a routinely emotional and sometimes bleak epic back in 2016.

With Galen Erso and his family hiding away on the planet Lah'mu, their and the audience's peace is soon disturbed by the ominous arrival of Director Orson Krennic and his frightening death troopers. The sight of the Erso clan going into pre-planned battle stations, with Jyn and her mother Lyra desperately prepping for their immediate exit, injects heaps of glorious tension before The Empire have even officially stepped foot on their land.

A new collection of compelling faces are all masterfully introduced from there, an emotional gut-punch of witnessing a rebellious Lyra being gunned down before her husband and child sets the tone of the flick in general early, and young Jyn's innocence being effectively stomped out by the Empire is expertly established, too.

But all hope isn't lost, folks. Saw Gerrera's eventual rescuing of the traumatised and hidden child also subtly hints at the light that refuses to go out throughout the two-hour tragedy that is Rogue One.