I don't know if this would get locked or not but I'll ask anyway, since Rian is a far better director than JJ, is there a way they could ever get ol' Denis Lawson back in a way that would make it work? I'd love to see him fly alongside Poe Dameron.
Maybe he's a republic "grand admiral" or something in the republic. Akbar's still around so maybe. Always a possibility. After all Ewan McGregor was in the Force Awakens and he is his nephew...
If he stayed with the Republic rather than the Resistance, then there's a good chance that he's dead courtesy of Starkiller Base. I would like to see Lawson come back, but I still think he probably won't and one of the novel will eventually have to tell the story of Wedge's death. I suppose he could just be retired though and living out the remainder of his life in peace.
Well according to Aftermath, he's still alive. Maybe if Lawson doesn't want to come back ever, I guess Chuck Wendig is the guy who'd kill him.
Just imagine him in the background or around that table discussing plans with General Organa about the starkiller base. That would of been magic. Even as Poes mentor or something. God they missed a lot of opportunities in episode 7.
Dennis Lawson has said he is not interested in doing anymore Star Wars films. There is a chance he might change his mind as it has happened with other actors in other films.
Lawson will never return to Star Wars. His number of serious roles on television, coupled with his popularity in England and Scotland, far outweighs being involved in Star Wars, in his mind, anyway. Remember, he almost didn't come back for ROTJ and he flat out told Ewan McGregor to turn down The Phantom Menace.
I read somewhere that he turned down TFA as well. I guess he has what he wanted from the films and doesn't want to bother himself any further with the invariable publicity and fuss.
I don't expect Lawson to come back at all, but if he did, I think he'd only do it if they wrote him a really good part, something challenging for an experienced actor to play. He won't be back in a cockpit just to say, "Good shot, Red 2!"
I don't think Lawson has any issues with coming back other than that he actually wants to have a part to play instead of just a cameo. Still an opportunity for him to change his mind before the end though. Be kinda cool to see him and Poe fight side by side.
They should have included a throw away line about him perishing with the fleet in the Hosnian system.
Lawson would likely enjoy hearing that just to shut up the fans. Of course, he'll tolerate the fans as long as they pay for his signature...
Why would you kill off a popular character who still may be of use in future movies with a Throw away line?
Denis Lawson has said that he wants nothing more to do with the Star Wars franchise. If the writers want to put an end to fans clamoring to see Wedge, then they'll do the pertinent thing and kill him off. They already did it with one beloved character, they can certainly do it with another.
You could always have a relative of his show up in his place. Cousin or child if you really wanted to. Have him retired and that the other character is there in his place. That way you have an Antillis, but not Wedge. Simple as that. Hell if they really wanted to they could do a whole movie around him and the X Wing academy for the NR. You have a ton of books to base it on.