Star Wars 9 Rise of Skywalker leaks: Wedge Antilles is back – Is there a NEW Death Star?

JJ Abrams has promised he will be honouring as much of the legacy characters and storylines as he can in Episode 9. Not only that, The Force Awakens plot already signalled the rather cyclical nature of his movies, with some critics feeling it followed A New Hope a little too closely. Poe Dameron has taken on the role of the plucky fighter pilot leading the resistance attacks, but a new Star Wars book cover just ‘revealed’ the return of his predecessor. A predecessor who lead to successful attacks on the previous Death Stars.  

The Spanish-language cover of the book, Resistance Reborn by Rebecca Roanhorse, certainly appears to show Denis Lawson back as fighter pilot Wedge Antilles. 

The Corellian flew missions heroically throughout the first trilogy, including the iconic attacks on both Death Stars. Only Wedge Antilles and the Millennium Falcon’s Han Solo and Chewbacca made it back from the final dramatic attack in The Return of the Jedi, as Luke battled the Emperor above.

Most importantly, the character is documented as still being alive in recent novels. Chuck Wendig’s Aftermath trilogy revealed Wedge went on to found the Phantom Squadron for the end of the war against Palpatine’s forces. After that, he became a flight instructor on Hosnian Prime.

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Eagle-eyed Hispanic fans noticed the familiar face standing behind Jon Boyega’s Finn on the cover.  Mysteriously, he does not feature on the English-language version artwork.

Is it a clever piece of photoshopping and a fan hoax? Rebel Force Radio say they have contacted representatives from the actor in question and “received a solid yes.” However, there has been no official word.

Is it time to yell out: “Look at the size of that thing”?

With Billy Dee Williams back as Lando at the controls of the Millennium Falcon, how iconic would it be to have Wedge flying one last mission?

If The Rise of Skywalker echoes The Return of the Jedi in the way Episodes 4 and 7 did, Wedge would be flying up against another gigantic super-weapon.

All the reports, leaks and official materials so far point to a terrible hidden threat from Palpatine.

Many now believe he has somehow ‘survived’ in the Outer Regions and has been building a new armada. Does he have a planet-destroyer among his new forces?

With Leia desperately seeking any remaining allies across the galaxy, Wedge is perfectly placed for a final cameo. If he also gets back in the cockpit fans will be very happy indeed.

In real life, of course, Lawson is the uncle of Ewan McGregor, who is set to return as Obi-Wan Kenobi.

It should be noted Lawson himself previously spoke about hoping for a cameo but said his schedule had been too busy. And it is worrying that he is not on the UK andUS book cover.

The mystery continues…

Express Online has contacted a representative for a comment.