'Rise of Skywalker' book leak may have just revealed a shocking 'Ep. 9' cameo
An unsung hero from the original trilogy could be making a comeback.
The second-greatest pilot in the Rebel Alliance might be returning for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. We’re talking about the only guy who survived two Death Star attacks: Wedge Antilles! A new leak featuring artwork for an official Star Wars novel suggests an older Wedge is showing up in the new film. But is it really happening?
Warning: Possible spoilers for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker below.
On Friday, everyone on the Star Wars Leaks subreddit noticed that one variant cover for an upcoming tie-in Rise of Skywalker book called Resistance Reborn, written by Rebecca Roanhorse, sneakily featured an image of what appears to be actor Denis Lawson, famous for playing Rebel pilot Wedge Antilles in Episodes IV-VI. Like Admiral Ackbar and Lando Calrissian, everyone has assumed that Wedge was still alive and loyal to Leia post-Return of the Jedi, but, so far, we haven’t seen him in the new movies. Is that about to change?
Wedge in 'Empire'
The image on the “leaked” cover certainly looks like Denis Lawson as Wedge, but even if the cover is real, it doesn’t confirm that Wedge is back for Episode IX. When The Force Awakens was released, some interviews suggested that Lawson was cranky about returning and outright refused to be in the movie. However, at least one interview contradicts that claim, suggesting that, in fact, Lawson wanted to return in a cameo as Wedge, but his schedule was simply packed at the time.
Weirdly, Lawson is one of two actors to play Wedge onscreen. In A New Hope, actor Colin Higgins also played Wedge. The whole thing is very confusing, especially when you discover that voice actor David Ankrum dubbed both of Wedge’s lines in A New Hope even though Lawson used his real voice in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. (This is why Wedge doesn’t have an English accent in A New Hope, but Leia still has no excuse.)
Denis Lawson is the real-life uncle of Ewan McGregor, and considering that McGregor is back in the Star Wars fold for the new Obi-Wan Kenobi Disney+ TV series, it seems possible that some friendly text messages between family members could have resulted in Lawson getting back into the cockpit of an X-wing for Rise of Skywalker.
Wedge is by no means the most famous Star Wars character ever, but he’s that relatable guy who was freaking there during huge moments. He also said “Whoo-ha! That got em’!” in The Empire Strikes Back, which is reason enough to hope he’s back for The Rise of Skywalker.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker hits theaters on December 20.
