10 Star Wars Characters SAVED By The Expanded Universe
2. Wedge Antilles
Denis Lawson is one of the most dedicated actors in the Star Wars franchise but his role as Rogue Squadron pilot Wedge Antilles is actually minor. A few lines in the original trilogy and a cameo in The Rise of Skywalker didn't really flesh out Wedge's character all that much, but the Expanded Universe ensured his legacy lives on.
Many of Wedge's adventures may now be considered non-canon but the bulk of the content in the Rogue Squadron video game series do still hold a place in the canon of the Star Wars franchise. Some were disappointed when Luke bailed on the squadron a few missions in, but Wedge became a great lead character for the series and was even voiced by Lawson himself.
Furthermore, Wedge has appeared in a smattering of Rebels episodes (albeit voiced by Nathan Kress) and there's even a snippet of Lawson's voice over an intercom in Rogue One. Add in appearances in some post Disney Star Wars novels and Wedge's minor appearance record in the core movies is massively expanded for the better.
Fun fact: Denis Lawson is Ewan McGregor's uncle and having Obi-Wan himself as your nephew surely means Wedge's foot is still firmly in the Star Wars door.