The evidence is building that a popular fan theory – that Captain Rex was secretly in Return of the Jedi – is true. Han Solo and Leia Organa weren’t the only rebels on Endor in Return of the Jedi, they went with a team, including a bearded rebel trooper. According to 2002’s The Official Star Wars Fact File 44, this bearded trooper was named Nik Sant. However, a popular fan theory believed Nik Sant to be an older Captain Rex, the Clone Wars hero who became a member of the Rebellion.
Is this theory correct? Is the bearded rebel really Captain Rex? The evidence is ambiguous, but it does increasingly seem as though “Nik Sant” is in fact Captain Rex, bringing Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka’s close friend into action at the tail-end of the Galactic Civil War.
Star Wars Has Confirmed Captain Rex Was At The Battle Of Endor
Captain Rex was a major character in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, but Star Wars Rebels brought him into the Age of the Empire. At the beginning of season 2, Ahsoka and the crew of the Ghost recruited the iconic clone trooper to their cause. Rex then became a key member of the rebellion, serving as a bridge between Clone Wars and Rebels. Excitingly, the end of Star Wars Rebels season 4 confirmed Rex was on Endor.
The Star Wars Rebels season 4 finale wrapped up the show’s Thrawn storyline, and offered viewers an epilogue revealing what happened to the Ghost crew after the Galactic Civil War. When recalling the events of Return of the Jedi through the perspective of the Star Wars Rebels characters, Sabine revealed Hera and Rex were at the Battle of Endor. Though the finale doesn’t actually show the Battle of Endor, it made sense for both Hera and Rex to be part of the rebels’ ultimate attack on the Empire given how important the duo had become to the Rebel Alliance.
Star Wars Hasn’t Confirmed Captain Rex Is Return Of The Jedi’s Nik Sant
Star Wars Rebels really wanted audiences to believe Captain Rex was Return of the Jedi’s Nik Sant (originally played by one “L. Burner“). In addition to the epilogue, Rebels also had Rex wear clothes that were quite similar to what Nik Sant was spotting in Return of the Jedi – although it must be noted writer Steven Melching has claimed it was a coincidence. As he posted on Twitter at the time (in a series of now-deleted tweets):
”
Friends, please allow me to clarify my provocative and badly-worded tweet from earlier today. 1/….When Rex was redesigned for his appearance in S2 of REBELS, many people saw a similarity to “Nik Sant” in ROTJ. 2/…. I didn’t notice the resemblance until fans pointed it out after the release of the S2 trailer. 3/…Many
on
the crew found the resemblance amusing too, but AFAIK it was not an intentional design choice. 4/…In each season most character models change. As the Ghost crew grows closer to the larger Rebellion, their costumes often reflect that. 5/…Rex is clearly wearing some costume pieces that resemble the Rebel Commandos from ROTJ. As a soldier, this makes sense. 6/ So are Rex and Nik Sant one-and-the-same? Truthfully, I do not know the answer. I wish I had made that clear originally. 7/”
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Star Wars Rebels: Rex Isn’t Officially In Return of the Jedi Yet
Star Wars Rebels writer Steven Melching clears the air regarding Captain Rex’s supposed appearance in Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi.
Star Wars never actually confirmed the bearded rebel was in fact the iconic clone trooper. When discussing that possibility, Rex creator Dave Filoni revealed (via Slashfilm) that he does believe that Rex is “that guy on Endor” and that he would try to “make that happen.” This would be a relatively minor Star Wars retcon, but it’s never been explicitly confirmed.
Evidence Is Building Thanks To Official Star Wars Artwork
The strongest evidence to date, though, has been presented in the recent book Secrets of the Clone Troopers. Ostensibly from Rex’s point-of-view, it features hints of his life toward the end of the Galactic Civil War and beyond. Discussing the Battle of Endor, it shows artwork that is clearly meant to be Rex – but is the spitting image of “Nik Sant” in Return of the Jedi. It’s the most conclusive evidence to date, although far from an official statement.
Buy Secrets of the Clone Troopers from Amazon
Star Wars Is Unlikely To Ever Confirm This Theory
Almost five years after Star Wars Rebels’ finale, Star Wars has yet to settle the Rex/Nik Slant debate. Still, considering that not even Clone Wars and Rebels creator Dave Filoni was able to confirm this theory, Star Wars is probably not interested in making it explicit canon. The identity of Nik Sant will remain ambiguous, adding another layer of intrigue to Return of the Jedi.
