30 Greatest Star Wars Characters

15. Chirrut Îmwe

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story was a superb addition to the Star Wars canon, and developed a unique importance in recontextualising the very first Star Wars film. It illustrates the true terror of the Empire, and did it all while bringing together a brand new cast of characters, with the most compelling being Donnie Yen's Chirrut Îmwe.

Chirrut, most often seen with Guardian-turned-assassin Baze Malbus, was a Guardian of the Whills. The Whills were an ancient order dedicated to exploring the Force, while Chirrut's group watched over the Temple of the Kyber, which the Empire had ransacked in their efforts to power their secret super-weapon, the Death Star.

Yen's performance as Chirrut was phenomenal, but one of the best things about the character was that he illustrated a completely new depiction of the force. For years, all audiences had seen of the Force was the Jedi and the Sith, who both commanded a unique mastery over it. Chirrut instead illustrated a more spiritual and faith-driven approach to the Force, using his connection to persevere during one of the darkest periods in the galaxy's history.