Recommended music: Metallica – Orion
On this #StarWarsSaturday, we’re looking ahead to the 10th anniversary of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story in December and checking out trading cards from Topps Star Wars Rogue One: Mission Briefing. Today, I’m sharing base card number 108 – Chirrut vs. the Stormtroopers!
Since my action figures are still packed away, waiting for a new display, the cards keep coming out to play.
Topps released the Rogue One: Mission Briefing trading card set in September 2016 to help build excitement for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The main set includes 100 cards covering stories from Episodes I to VI and that era’s animated series. The set also includes 10 cards featuring characters and scenes from the Rogue One Teaser Trailer, released a few months earlier.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story used Chirrut Îmwe, played by martial arts legend Donnie Yen, to help the franchise reach a wider audience, especially in Asian markets. Casting Yen brought a fresh martial arts style that made Chirrut stand out from the usual Jedi knights.
Trailers and promotional videos highlighted Chirrut’s unique fighting style. Instead of using a lightsaber, he fought with a simple staff and quick hand-to-hand moves to defeat stormtroopers. His repeated line, “I am one with the Force and the Force is with me,” showed a spiritual link to the Force beyond the usual Jedi Order.
Lucasfilm also put Chirrut front and center in marketing, including character posters, often with his companion, Baze Malbus. By focusing on this duo, the campaign helped make them fan favorites even before the movie came out and built excitement for a more grounded, war-themed Star Wars story.
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