Star Wars Blooper: The Story Behind ‘Fake Wedge’
Dive into the peculiar saga of Rebel pilot Wedge Antilles, where a blend of production quirks and imaginative storytelling introduces the infamous ‘Fake Wedge’—an unexpected hero in the Star Wars galaxy. This tale unwinds with Colin Higgins’ fleeting debut as Wedge in *A New Hope*, followed by Denis Lawson embodying the iconic X-wing pilot during the climactic Battle of Yavin, all backed by David Ankrum’s voice to solidify Wedge’s all-American charm. Budget constraints and a curious decision left Higgins’ scene intact, sparking fan-driven mischief over ‘Fake Wedge.’ Officially embraced in Star Wars canon through the 2017 anthology *From a Certain Point of View*, this production blunder blossoms into Col Takbright, a cleverly distinct character, yet hilariously mistaken for his more renowned counterpart. Journey through this tale where behind-the-scenes blips transform into beloved lore, mirroring Star Wars’ enduring harmony with its fans. Is this only a twist of fate, or perhaps the Force at play?
#StarWars #FakeWedge #WedgeAntilles #SciFiHistory #BehindTheScenes #StarWarsLore
Quick Takeaways:
- Wedge Antilles is a fan-favorite Star Wars pilot, but his identity in A New Hope was briefly portrayed by two different actors.
- A casting and dubbing mix-up led fans to jokingly refer to an early version of the character as 'Fake Wedge'.
- This mix-up became part of official lore in a 2017 Star Wars short story collection, giving 'Fake Wedge' his own backstory and name: Col Takbright.
From Onscreen Confusion to Fan Legend
The Star Wars galaxy is filled with characters who left a lasting impression, and Wedge Antilles sits among them. He’s the Rebel pilot known for surviving multiple key battles in the original trilogy, including the Death Star trench run. However, Wedge’s introduction comes with a lesser-known, entertaining twist involving two separate actors and a now-beloved fan nickname: ‘Fake Wedge’.
Two Actors, One Helmet
In Star Wars: A New Hope, actor Colin Higgins first portrayed Wedge Antilles during the Rebel briefing on Yavin 4. Struggling with his lines, he was later replaced by Denis Lawson, who played Wedge in the following X-wing dogfighting sequences. To maintain a consistent American accent — something George Lucas requested for Rebel soldiers — both actors were dubbed over by David Ankrum during post-production.
Budget and schedule limitations prevented Higgins' initial scene from being reshot. As a result, viewers noticed the character's sudden change in appearance and delivery between scenes. Fans embraced the oddity, affectionately dubbing the original version ‘Fake Wedge’.
Turning a Production Error into Canon
What began as a practical issue during filming eventually became part of Star Wars mythology. In 2017, the anthology book From a Certain Point of View reimagined Colin Higgins’ Wedge as a different character altogether: Col Takbright.
In this fictional account, Takbright is a fellow Rebel pilot who happens to resemble Wedge, often leading to confusion among soldiers. This official nod provided a witty connection between fan discussion and canon storytelling — a wink to those who noticed the switch all along.
A Quirky Mistake That Found Its Place
What could’ve been forgotten as a behind-the-scenes hiccup instead led to a new character and an amusing twist on Star Wars history. The tale of ‘Fake Wedge’ shows how unexpected details can grow into something meaningful, thanks to fan interest and a franchise willing to acknowledge its own imperfections.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the major Star Wars blooper that became canon?
The blooper involved a stormtrooper accidentally hitting his head on a door in the original 1977 Star Wars movie. Fans noticed it over the years, and it eventually became part of official Star Wars lore as a quirky in-universe moment.
How did fans turn a Star Wars mistake into canon?
Fans embraced the stormtrooper head bump as a beloved blooper, sparking discussions and memes online. Eventually, Star Wars creators referenced it in official media, acknowledging it as an intentional moment, thereby making it part of canon.
Which Star Wars movie includes the stormtrooper hitting his head?
The stormtrooper blooper occurs in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, when Imperial troops enter a control room on the Death Star. One trooper visibly bumps his head on a low doorway.
Did George Lucas acknowledge the stormtrooper blooper?
Yes, George Lucas acknowledged the blooper and even added a humorous sound effect in later releases to highlight the moment. This playful nod further cemented its place in Star Wars canon.
Has the stormtrooper head bump been referenced in other Star Wars media?
Yes, the blooper has been referenced in Star Wars behind-the-scenes content, games, and parodies. It’s even been used as an inside joke and homage in later Star Wars projects.
Why did the stormtrooper blooper become so popular?
Fans loved the unintentional humor of the moment, and it stood out in an otherwise serious scene. Its repeated sharing online turned it into a cult favorite, leading to broader recognition.
Filipino Translation:
Alam mo 'yung Star Wars universe, ang daming iconic characters diyan, pero isa sa mga pinaka-interesting ang story ni Wedge Antilles, isang Rebel pilot. Kilala siya sa pagiging matapang sa original trilogy, pero may nakakatuwang kwento behind this guy na tinawag ng fans na “Fake Wedge.”
Sa Star Wars: A New Hope, unang ginampanan ni Colin Higgins si Wedge Antilles sa scene kung saan may briefing yung mga Rebel pilots. Kaso, hirap siya mag-deliver ng lines niya, kaya pinalitan siya ni Denis Lawson later on, sa eksena ng Battle of Yavin sa X-wing. Pero ang interesting part, pareho silang dinub ni David Ankrum para lang consistent 'yung American accent ni Wedge, na sabi ni George Lucas, kailangan talaga. Pero dahil wala nang budget at oras, 'di na tinanggal ‘yung scene ni Higgins—kaya ayun, tinawag siya ng mga fans na “Fake Wedge,” parang joke na affectionate.
Tapos noong 2017, officially nang pumasok sa canon ng Star Wars ang term na “Fake Wedge” dahil sa anthology book na From a Certain Point of View. Doon, ginawa siyang ibang character—si Col Takbright—na laging napagkakamalan ni mga Rebel pilots na si Wedge. Parang meta-humor ‘yung dating, kasi kinilala nila 'yung production mix-up pero in a creative way na dinagdagan pa ‘yung lore ng galaxy.
Kahit nagsimula lang siya sa blooper, naging legit na part na siya ng Star Wars story. Ang galing lang, kasi pinapakita pa rin nito kung gaano ka-dedicated at creative ang Star Wars fandom. Imagine, yung simpleng pagkakamali noon, ngayon, part na ng canon—ganun nila kamahal at pinapahalagahan yung universe ng Star Wars.
How A Major Star Wars Blooper Became Canon Thanks to Fans was first published here.
