The popular character has appeared in books, comics, and the sequel trilogy, but will he show up in the upcoming film?
He survived both Death Star trench runs and has been a popular character since his first appearance in A New Hope, becoming a staple in the rest of the original trilogy. However, Wedge Antilles has only had one movie appearance since then, when the character made a brief cameo in The Rise of Skywalker in 2019.
The character’s arc could lend itself to appearing in future Star Wars projects, particularly the Mandoverse story. After the battle of Jakku, Wedge accepted a position as a new flight instructor in the Hosnian Prime system.
This all occurs before the first episode of The Mandalorian, which kicks off the Mandoverse story. In The Mandalorian, several Rebel pilots have appeared, and it would be logical for Wedge to step away from his instructing duties on a mission to help fight with the New Republic against the remaining Imperial remnant.
It would make sense in this world for Wedge to make an appearance in the upcoming The Mandalorian & Grogu movie, due to release in 2026. Many original trilogy characters have already appeared in the Mandoverse, including Mon Mothma, Boba Fett, and C-3PO.
Wedge was a recurring character in the animated show Star Wars Rebels. He interacted with characters who transitioned into the Ahsoka series, like Sabine Wren, his friend, and Hera Syndulla, his commander. It would seem logical for them to keep in touch with their former alliance brother-in-arms.
A big question if the character were to return is how? Would Denis Lawson, who portrayed Wedge in the films, return? Would it be in the vein of how Mark Hamill was used in both The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, where AI was used to recreate a younger version of Luke Skywalker.
The technology was significantly improved from The Mandalorian to The Book of Boba Fett. If Lawson was on board, it could be a welcome treat to the audience. If not, the casting director may have a hard time finding an actor to fill in the shoes of such an iconic character.
The audience cheered when they saw Wedge Antilles on board the Millenium Falcon at the end of The Rise of Skywalker. If he appears once again in the movie, but in the character’s prime, it may be an even louder reaction from the audience.
