Wedge Antilles is perhaps one of the most beloved minor characters in the original “Star Wars” universe. The rebel pilot and friend of Luke Skywalker appeared in all three of the original George Lucas films, survived the original successful attack on the Death Star, the defense of the Rebel base on Hoth, and along with Lando Calrissian piloting the Millennium Falcon, was one of the lead pilots instrumental in taking down the Death Star for a third time in “Return Of The Jedi.”
Presumably he got promoted and was one of the Generals later on once peace was restored to the galaxy. So will he appear in J.J. Abrams’ “Star Wars: Episode VII”? Nope, and that’s by choice. Evidently someone in the ‘Episode 7’ camp reached out and asked actor Dennis Lawson, who played Wedge in the series, if he’d like to return/show up in the new series. “I’m not going to do that,” Lawson said of appearing in the next film to the Courier in the U.K. “They asked me but it just would have bored me.”
Youch. Lawson is famously the uncle of Ewan McGregor who of course would go on to play the young Obi Wan Kenobi in the justifiably much-maligned “Star Wars” prequels. Would the Wedge role have been a cameo? Something bigger? Did Lawson decide not to appear in the films because of the aforementioned piss-poor prequels? The actor didn’t elaborate at all, so you’ll just have to imagine that the initial acting gig probably wasn’t his favorite either. In 2001, Lawson however did provide the voiceover for the character’s appearance in a Nintendo game, but evidently, that was enough. So pour one out for Wedge, we’ll just have to imagine he retired peacefully.
Speaking of beloved characters that aren’t so minor, relatively speaking of course, fans are wondering what the hell has happened to Lando Calrissian and why isn’t he in “Episode VII”? Well, there’s no answer for that yet, but the actor, Billy Dee Williams, does have a consolation prize: according to “Star Wars” writer/consultant Simon Kinberg, Lando’s going to be appearing in the upcoming animated series,”Star Wars Rebels.” Hey, at least it’s something, right? Here’s the video below.
["ctually, I bet they could convince Dennis Lawson to play Wedge even with a raise that\’s only semi-astronomical simply by also giving Ewan McGregor a cameo as part of the deal. How could he say no to his nephew? What would the lads in the pub say? (You\’re welcome Disney, but PLEASE have Ewan play someone other than Obi-wan so as not to remind us of the prequels!)."]
This is one of the dumbest attempts of Prequel bashing I have ever encountered.
I think it sucks that Dennis Lawson won't come back for the fans,sure he should be paid well,now with Lando,I think that really sucks they are not bringing the character back.The only actor I know of besides the original Star Wars characters is Max Von Sydow,the rest of this new cast is mostly twenty something year olds,I never heard of,come on JJ at least bring Lando back,I know you're never going to read these post,what can it hurt to bring in a name like Billy Dee Williams.It will not feel like a Star Wars movie without Lando!!!!!!!
So they ask a guy to reprise a role nobody cares about but not Lando and nobody sees racism?
["Why do idiots like u always have to bring race into stupid debates like this? And this coming from a black man."]
Because these "idiots" are aware of the fact that Hollywood is still a racist community and I find it odd that Billy Dee Williams was not asked to reprise his role, but Denis Lawson was . . . and Wedge Antilles was a smaller role.
Youch. Lawson is famously the uncle of Ewan McGregor who of course would go on to play the young Obi Wan Kenobi in the justifiably much-maligned âStar Warsâ prequels.
"Justifiably much-maligned" Star Wars prequels MY ASS. Good for you, Mr. Lawson for resisting the upcoming geriatric version of the OT. Who are they going to ask next? The actor who did the voice for Admiral Ackbar?
Well, lando probably wont be in Ep 7 most probably because the storyline of that character has been fulfilled. Also, because he's black.
Beloved minor character? Only to the nerds.
There are no small parts, only small actors, as the saying goes.
The feel I get from fans is that the movies will either be horrible, or they won't feel like Star Wars.
Piss poor prequels? More like piss poor writing, Edward you twat.
I hope they don't recast Wedge. I find that kind of inconsistency really jarring and distracting. I'd much rather they just write him out of the script if they can't get the same actor.
here's a better headline for you:
"Dennis Lawson passed on reprising his role as 'Wedge Antilles' in Star Wars: Episode 7"
Sounds better than "Wedge Antilles Actor" .. no?
– English speaking human
I got a bad feeling about this
Actually, I bet they could convince Dennis Lawson to play Wedge even with a raise that's only semi-astronomical simply by also giving Ewan McGregor a cameo as part of the deal. How could he say no to his nephew? What would the lads in the pub say? (You're welcome Disney, but PLEASE have Ewan play someone other than Obi-wan so as not to remind us of the prequels!).
Good man. Can't blame him. It's going to be an awful movie. Seriously… Does anyone really believe it's going to be any good. And I'm not talking to you sad cases that went to see the prequels. You guys will sit through any old piece of garbage with Star Wars on the the title. Nope I'm talking to the people out there who like good quality movies with real stories & characters… Not some mindless run of the mill stock sci fi rescue mission movie.
he's said before he would only be interested if it was a more substantial role. YOUCH