Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is the gift that keeps on giving. Gareth Edwards’ movie was so loaded with Star Wars easter eggs that it took most fans multiple viewings to even come close to catching them all. With every new run through comes a new cameo or reference to the wider Star Wars Universe. But, not all the cameos were as obvious as Ponda Baba (Walrus Man) and Dr. Evazan, or R2-D2 and C-3PO. As well as these fun, visual moments, Rogue One also had a ton of nerdy voice cameos.
Here are just a few voices you need to keep an ear out for on your next viewing:
Wedge Antilles
Wedge is a major player in the Rebellion, so it’s only natural that he would have at least a small part to play in Rogue One. Unfortunately, in A New Hope, Wedge can be heard saying “look at the size of that thing,” when he sees the Death Star. This suggests it’s the first time he has seen the battlestation, and therefore Wedge couldn’t possibly be involved in the Battle of Scarif. However, Wedge does have a cameo in the movie, but it’s a very small one.
Wedge was originally played by Denis Lawson, but because the British actor couldn’t nail his American accent, his role was dubbed by David Ankrum. Lawson doesn’t appear in Rogue One, but Ankrum’s voice of Wedge can be heard scrambling fighter pilots over the PA system at Yavin-4. It’s a nice touch, and a super nerdy one at that.
Sam Witwer & David Collins
Sam Witwer is just about the closest thing we have to an actual voice of the dark side. Over the years he’s regularly voiced the likes of Darth Maul, Emperor Palpatine, and other dark-siders in an array of TV shows and video games.
David Collins might not be quite as prolific as Witwer, but he’s still a big deal in the world of Star Wars. You might recognize him from his work hosting at Star Wars Celebration, but he’s also done a ton of voice work on the likes of The Force Awakens, and Star Wars Battlefront.
Collins and Witwer got a neat little cameo as two stormtroopers discussing the predecessor to a famous bit of Star Wars tech. In A New Hope, we hear Stormtroopers discussing the introduction of the new T-16 Skyhopper. In Rogue One, Witwer and Collins’ troopers are discussing the fact that the T-15 is going to be retired.
General Syndulla
We’re adding this point in for clarification more than for the cameo itself. You will have likely heard General Syndulla being paged at Yavin-4. Many, myself included, thought that this was a reference to the legendary Twi’lek warrior, Cham Syndulla. We were wrong. It was actually a reference to Cham’s daughter, Hera, who is currently lighting up the screen on Star Wars Rebels. Rebels creator, Dave Filoni, confirmed the fact in a recent interview:
“I can clarify that’s absolutely Hera being paged, not her dad.The movie gives that away, but I would rather have all the [references] be right. Hera will eventually become a general in the Rebel Alliance.”
Rebels fans will also have noticed the fact that Hera’s ship, the Ghost, and her droid, Chopper (pictured above) both make brief cameos in the movie.
John & Tony Gilroy
John Gilroy was drafted in to edit some of the extensive reshoots on the movie, but he and his brother Tony, who helped write some of the new scenes, both got voice cameos to add to their behind-the-scenes credits. John played a rebel pilot, while Tony played the character who scolds Riz Ahemed’s Bodhi Rook as they steal the freighter to get to Scarif.
Star Wars Rebels Cast
Because of the close proximity Rogue One has to Star Wars Rebels on the Star Wars timeline, it’s only natural that there are a lot of references to the show. But, the connections between the two properties didn’t end with on-screen shenanigans. The leading cast of Rebels, including Vanessa Marshall (Hera), Steve Blum (Zeb), and the show’s creator, Dave Filoni, all got to lend their talents to various aliens and background characters on the movie. I’m not sure which characters to be exact, but I’m almost certain that Blum voices one of the Stormtroopers on the prison vehicle transferring Jyn just before she gets rescued.
Star Wars Veterans
Here’s a full list (via Comicbook.com) of all the other Star Wars veterans who returned to the Galaxy Far Far Away to make voice cameos on Rogue One.
David Accord – sound designer on Star Wars Rebels, The Force Awakens and more
David Ankrum – additional voices in Star Wars: A New Hope
Verona Blue – additional voices in The Force Awakens
Dave Boat – Star Wars video games voice actor
Eugene Byrd – LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures
Jonathan Dixon – additional voices in The Force Awakens
Michael Donovan – LEGO Star Wars video games and The Force Awakens
Terri Douglas – ADR voice casting for The Force Awakens and Rogue One
Robin Atkin Downes – Cham Syndulla on Star Wars Rebels
Tom Harrison-Read – first assistant editor on Rogue One
Kevin Hickman – first assistant editor on Rogue One
Karen Huie – additional voices in The Force Awakens
Lex Lang – Star Wars video games voice actor
Vanessa Lengies – LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures
Yuri Lowenthal – Star Wars video games voice actor
Christopher Scarabosio – re-recording mixer for Rogue One and Clone Wars
Orly Schuchmacher – additional voices in The Force Awakens
Kat Sheridan – additional voices in The Force Awakens
Christian Simpson – Hayden Christensen’s stand-in for Revenge of the Sith
David Sobolov – Star Wars video games voice actor
Julian Stone – Star Wars video games voice actor
John Swartz – The Force Awakens and Rogue One co-producer
Fred Tatasciore – Star Wars Rebels and video games actor
