Star Wars: 10 Most Ruthless Imperial Officers

Orson Krennic was Director of the Empire's Advanced Weapons Research Division and oversaw the development and construction of the moon-sized superweapon known as the Death Star.

Appearing as the main antagonist in Rogue One, Krennic's persistent, cold and calculating demeanour made him a powerful adversary for the Rebel Alliance - and a distinctly human one.

Also responsible for the murder of Jyn Erso's mother and the captivity of her father Galen, Krennic displayed that he would stop at nothing to carry out the orders of the Empire. Unafraid to rendezvous with Darth Vader to grapple for power, the only thing stopping Krennic would be Vader's ability to put him down with a Force choke and a pun.

Liaising with Grand Moff Tarkin on board the Death Star, it was Krennic's decision to test out the weapon's capabilities on the occupied moon of Jedha - the spiritual home of the Jedi Order. Firing up the weapon's superlaser, Jedha was eviscerated in mere minutes.

Declaring Krennic's work to be a success, Tarkin immediately took control of the project - much to the Director's fury.

Travelling to Scarif to secure the Death Star's plans, Krennic was apprehended by Rogue One's attempts to steal them for the Rebel Alliance. Realising what the Alliance was planning, and fully aware Krennic was on the planet, Tarkin ordered Scarif's destruction.

After blasting Cassian Andor and attempting to stop Jyn Erso, Krennic's loyalty to the Empire was finally shattered when the Death Star's superlaser was targeted directly at him. Struck by its first beam as it hit the communications tower, Krennic was killed instantly - minutes before Scarif was destroyed too.