Biggs Darklighter/Legends

"It'll be like old times, Luke. They'll never stop us."

- Biggs Darklighter, shortly before the Battle of Yavin

Biggs Darklighter was a member of the Alliance to Restore the Republic who flew an X-wing during the Battle of Yavin. Biggs' astromech droid during the battle was R2-Q2.

Biography
Born on Tatooine to the local agricultural magnate Huff Darklighter, he was a close friend of Luke Skywalker. The two of them spent most of their youth together, racing through Beggar's Canyon in T-16 Skyhoppers and socializing with the other local teenagers at Tosche Station. The two friends planned to attend the Imperial Academy together, and go into business together by buying their own ship after their service in the Imperial Starfleet ended. This plan was not to be, as Luke's uncle, Owen Lars, kept him behind to help on his moisture farm while Biggs went off to the Academy the same time as another mutual friend, Janek Sunber. While at the Academy, Biggs became disenchanted with the Empire. Managing to make contact with Rebel sympathizers, he and a group of his fellow cadets who were about to be assigned to the Rand Ecliptic made plans to jump ship in an outlying system and join the Alliance. During a brief furlough when Biggs returned to Tatooine, Biggs revealed this plan to Luke. Shortly thereafter, Luke would also join the Alliance after rescuing Princess Leia. The two old friends had a brief reunion on Yavin 4 shortly before the attack on the Death Star. Biggs told Red Squadron's leader, Garven Dreis, that Luke was the "best bush pilot in the Outer Rim," convincing him that the untrained young pilot would be able to fly a starfighter in the upcoming battle. During the final attack run on the Death Star, Biggs and Wedge Antilles flew as Luke's wingmen. Biggs was killed when Darth Vader fired upon him while he was flanking Luke down the Death Star trench.

Biggs Darklighter's legacy as a pilot would be picked up by his younger cousin, Gavin Darklighter.

Behind the scenes
Biggs briefly appeared in the 1977 release of Star Wars, where he was only seen as Luke's wingman. The script included the scene at Tosche Station where Biggs tells Luke of his secret plans to join the Rebel Alliance, as well as the conversation where he meets Luke in the hangar on Yavin 4. These scenes were filmed, but were cut from the final version. These scenes did appear, however, in the novelization and the radio adaptation. Part of the Yavin 4 scene was reintroduced in the 1997 re-release of the film. Here are some details on Bigg's deleted scenes.

Luke Skywalker, full of excitement at having seen some starships in the sky above Tatooine, races towards the Toshi Station (located in Anchorhead) to tell his friends about the battle he's just witnessed which we all know is the capture of the Tantive IV. In transit, Luke almost runs down an old woman with his landspeeder. She turns and yells at Luke to slow down. Luke hops out of his speeder and runs into the Toshi Station where he finds his friends Camie, Fixer, Deak and Windy relaxing and enjoying the day. Deak and Windy are in the back area playing a game that resembles pool or air-hockey or something, while Camie and Fixer nap at a desk - Camie in Fixer's arms. Luke scrambles in waking them up and then notices another guy in the room. It's Biggs Darklighter, who had left Tatooine the previous season to join the Imperial Academy. Luke is overwhelmed with joy to see his old friend again. They start to talk a little but then Luke remembers the real reason he came by and urges everyone to come outside for a look. Deak and Windy, however, remain inside writing off the event as one of Wormie's delusions. Luke's nickname in the film is obviously "Wormie," in case you haven't noticed by now. When they get outside, Luke points to where the action was and Biggs takes a look using Luke's macrobinoculars. He does see two ships but no action and tells the little crowd so. Then Camie grabs the binocs and has a look for herself. The disappointed group retreats back inside the station without Luke who remains outside looking (and feeling) embarrassed.
 * Biggs Returns

Biggs was played by Garrick Hagon in A New Hope.

Appearances

 * Marvel Star Wars 17: Crucible
 * Star Wars Empire: Darklighter
 * Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
 * Marvel Star Wars 1
 * Marvel Star Wars 5: Lo, The Moons of Yavin
 * Marvel Star Wars 6: Is This the Final Chapter?
 * X-wing (books)