As a conclusion to the 42-year Skywalker Saga, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker had a big job to do with wrapping up so many decades of story in a way that would satisfy its most ardent fans. Throughout the film, many familiar faces and voices from Star Wars history can be seen and heard, ranging from the return of actor Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian, to voice cameos by Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker and Ashley Eckstein as Ahsoka Tano.
NEWS
A new page from The Rise of Skywalker novelization appeared on the Star Wars Leaks Subreddit , giving fans a glimpse of even more cameos that span the entire Skywalker saga. The excerpt on the page, confirmed as legitimate by multiple users, comes from toward the end of the film, when ships from all over the Galaxy Far, Far Away have answered Lando Calrissian's call to help the Resistance in the battle over Exegol, and is packed with names that fans will recognize, both seen and not seen in the film itself. Text from the excerpt can be found below.
" Millennium Falcon , standing by for orders," said Lando.
"Mon Calamari fleet, standing by," came another voice.
"Phantom Squadron, standing by."
" Ghost , standing by."
" Anodyne Two , standing by."
Poe was not the crying type, but as everyone called in, one after another after another, liquid pooled in his eyes. They had done it. The spark of the Resistance had become a fire.
"Alphabet Two, standing by."
"Zay Versio with Inferno Squad, standing by. Look at all these ships!"
" Fireball , here. Hi, everyone!"
"Cut the chatter, Kaz," a deep voice responded.
WHAT THIS MEANS
In addition to familiar face Lando Calrissian piloting the equally familiar Millennium Falcon , fans will recognize other names from all across the Skywalker Saga.
The Mon Calamari, the race of Admiral Ackbar and other prominent fighters in both the Original and Sequel trilogies, are portrayed as joining the battle. Joining the Mon Calamari are Phantom Squadron, a New Republic squadron formed by Captain Wedge Antilles, a former Rebellion fighter, shortly after the Battle of Endor. Appearing alongside Phoenix Squadron is Ghost , a ship with ties to the Star Wars Rebels animated series thanks to being owned by Hera Syndulla.
Anodyne Two appears to be a reference to the Anodyne , a Resistance escort frigate that was destroyed by the First Order when it ran out of fuel during the events of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Additionally, Alphabet Two calls back to Alphabet Squadron, a team of New Republic starfighters formed shortly after Return of the Jedi . Zay Versio, associated with the Inferno Squad, appears in the 2017 video game Star Wars Battlefront II . Finally, "Kaz" is in reference to Kazuda Xiono, a pilot and Resistance spy originally appearing in the animated series Star Wars Resistance .
These cameos reference a whole tapestry of Star Wars history, both old and new, and further do their part to tie the Skywalker Saga together.
