Star Wars made Dash Rendar canon again through Solo: A Star Wars Story. The Star Wars universe started on the big screen back in 1977, but it grew exponentially after the Original Trilogy ended with the Expanded Universe, which introduced a number of characters who’d become fan-favorites.

Among these was Dash Rendar, star of the Shadows of the Empire multimedia event in 1996. A series of books, comics, games and toys that helped tell the story between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, it centered on the Rebels’ run-ins with both the Empire and criminal Prince Xizor, with the rogue-ish Han Solo stand-in taking center stage. Dash was divisive but a favorite of many, and his Millennium Falcon-esque ship – the Outrider – even appeared in the 1997 Special Edition re-release of A New Hope.

SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY

However, when Disney wiped out the Star Wars EU, turning it into Legends, Dash was among those to be lost from canon. Although the Outrider – or at least its design – remained part of the universe thanks to the movie addition, it looked for a while that Rendar would remain non-canon for a long time. However, Disney snuck him back in subtly in 2018.

Dash is casually mentioned in Solo: A Star Wars Story: Tales From Vandor, a replica journal book companion to the film. He is referred to as a “loudmouth flyboy” who claims that Chewbacca was the one who deserved all the credit as he was told by Wookiee scouts on Kashyyyk about secret routes all over the galaxy, which Chewie later shared with Tobias Beckett’s gang.

The book also includes a quote from Dash, confirming that Chewie got the route from the Wookiees and that Han Solo avoids the topic whenever he’s asked about it. The full quote reads: “Han got that route from Chewie. And Chewie got it from the Wookiee scouts who helped the Republic back in the Clone Wars. Next time Han’s here, ask him and watch how fast he changes the subject. Han Solo, ha. If I’m around, you don’t need that guy.” In Star Wars Legends, Dash and Han met at the Imperial Academy, and they developed a friendly rivalry. He later helped Lando Calrissian and Leia track down Han after he was captured by Boba Fett.

Dash Rendar being brought to canon doesn’t necessarily mean that he will appear in future Star Wars films, but it shows that there’s hope for many other characters that were left in Star Wars Legends and declared non-canon to come back somehow. Star Wars Legends is full of stories, characters, and events that can either fill-in some gaps or just add to the current canon, so here’s to hoping that more of these will be brought back at some point.

Key Release Dates
See also  Twilight: 20 Wild Fan Theories That Completely Change The Movies
  • Star Wars 9 / Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)Release date: Dec 20, 2019
Robert Duvall Reflects on His Career After Starring in The Godfather

About The Author


Adrienne Tyler
(3270 Articles Published)

Adrienne Tyler is a features writer for Screen Rant. She is an Audiovisual Communication graduate who wanted to be a filmmaker, but life had other plans (and it turned out great). Prior to Screen Rant, she wrote for Pop Wrapped, 4 Your Excitement (4YE), and D20Crit, where she was also a regular guest at Netfreaks podcast. She was also a contributor for FanSided’s BamSmackPow and 1428 Elm. Adrienne is very into films and she enjoys a bit of everything: from superhero films to heartbreaking dramas, to low-budget horror films. Every time she manages to commit to a TV show without getting bored, an angel gets its wings.

When she’s not writing, you can find her trying to learn a new language, watching hockey (go Avs!), or wondering what life would have been like had Pushing Daisies, Firefly, and Limitless not been cancelled. Breakfast food is life and coffee is what makes the world go round.

Guillermo del Toro said “hi” to her once. It was great.

More From Adrienne Tyler