Star Wars Legacy Runs in Family
Denis Lawson played Wedge Antilles in "Star Wars" while his nephew Ewan McGregor became Obi-Wan Kenobi, linking two trilogies through family, legacy, and unforgettable characters.
In the world of "Star Wars" lore, some legacies take center stage while others unfold quietly in the background. Denis Lawson, who portrayed Rebel pilot Wedge Antilles, belongs to the latter camp. Though never a headline character, Wedge flew through the original trilogy with grit and precision, surviving every major battle from Yavin to Endor. He didn't need a lightsaber or a destiny. He had skill, nerve, and a steady hand.
There's another legacy tied to Lawson that fans often discover with delight. His nephew is Ewan McGregor, the actor who took on the iconic role of Obi-Wan Kenobi in the prequel trilogy. The connection is more than a trivia nugget. It links the original trilogy to its modern counterpart through family, performance, and shared mythology.
Lawson came of age in a postwar Britain that prized discipline and modesty. His Wedge reflected that era. He was a professional soldier who kept his cockpit clean and his emotions in check. While Luke chased destiny and Han cracked wise, Wedge just did his job and did it well. That made him a hero to those who saw themselves not as chosen ones but as dependable men in the ranks.
McGregor, born nearly 25 years later, brought a different sensibility to the screen. When he first appeared in "The Phantom Menace" in 1999, he had big robes to fill. Alec Guinness had turned Obi-Wan into a paragon of wisdom. McGregor chose instead to show the road that led there. His performance in the prequels displayed a mixture of youthful enthusiasm, sharp instinct, and growing sorrow. By the time "Revenge of the Sith" hit theaters, McGregor had turned Obi-Wan into one of the most grounded and tragic figures in the saga.
For a time, Lawson showed little interest in returning to "Star Wars." He reportedly turned down a role in "The Force Awakens," saying it would not have been interesting. However, he eventually made a brief appearance in "The Rise of Skywalker" in 2019. It was a quiet return, but a fitting farewell for a character defined by humility and skill.
Together, uncle and nephew have contributed two very different yet equally vital threads to the fabric of "Star Wars." One represents the quiet professional. The other carries the burden of a fallen Republic and the hope of redemption. They never shared a scene, but their presence spans generations of film and fandom.
This is not just a family footnote. It is a reminder that in the world of science fiction, narratives often pass through generations, both on screen and behind the scenes. Wedge Antilles and Obi-Wan Kenobi serve different missions, but the Force binds them all the same.