Since 2001, autographs have been a regular feature in most sets of Topps Star Wars trading cards. One could even go back to the original run of Star Wars Galaxy to find signed cards, but those were from artists working on the sets, not actors.
Here we are, dozens of sets and a few new movies later and the Topps portfolio of Star Wars autographs is both deep and impressive. Over the years, some big names have signed cards for the company. Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher highlight some of the original trilogy icons. Daisy Ridley, Hayden Christensen and even Samuel L. Jackson are among those from the prequel and sequel trilogies.
But even with all of the different Topps Star Wars autograph signers available, there’s still some who aren’t. Likely, there are a few different reasons why this is. Simply put, some actors are reluctant to sign. There could also be licensing issues and other “business stuff” that keeps it from happening.
But that doesn’t mean we can’t have wish lists.
With that in mind, here are some names we’d like to see on a Star Wars autograph checklist one day.
J.J. Abrams
Director – The Force Awakens, The Rise of Skywalker
Under normal circumstances, directors don’t always make for exciting autograph cards. Collectors typically want to connect with the actors and faces they see on the screen. But there are exceptions. J.J. Abrams has dabbled in several franchises. Besides directing The Force Awakens and The Rise of Skywalker, he helmed Star Trek and Star Trek: Into Darkness. Other directing credits include Mission Impossible III and Super 8. Abrams is a creator of several notable TV shows including Felicity, Alias, LOST and Fringe. Put more simply, he’s one of the most prolific filmmakers of his generation.
Other Autograph Cards:
- 2002 Inkworks Alias Season 1
- 2009 Rittenhouse Star Trek Movies
Wilford Brimley
Noa Briqualon – The Battle for Endor
So those made-for-TV Ewok movies are pretty much forgotten today. Still, it’s Star Wars by association and any excuse is a good excuse to add an acting legend’s signature to a set. Cocoon, The Natural, those Quaker oatmeal commercials, his amazing mustache — there are so many things that are synonymous and unforgettable about the actor.
Other Autograph Cards:
- 2019 Leaf Metal Pop Century
- 2019 Leaf Ultimate Sports
Rose Byrne
Dormé – Attack of the Clones
So Dormé didn’t exactly leave a major impression in Episode II. However, the actress who played her has since gone on to star in several big films including Bridesmaids, Neighbors, Insidious and Instant Family. Her comedic turns in particular are somewhat unsung. On the franchise side, Byrne also played Moria Taggart in both X-Men: First Class and X-Men: Apocalypse.
Other Autograph Cards: None
Emilia Clarke
Qi’ra – Solo: A Star Wars Story
Once upon a time, Emilia Clarke signed autograph cards. Today, not so much. But then again, her star power has risen quite a lot since the early days of Game of Thrones. Outside of Rittenhouse’s Game of Thrones Seasons 1 and 2 sets, she hasn’t signed since (cards in 2019 Inflexions use cuts). She’s one of serveral Solo stars without Star Wars autographs.
Other Autograph Cards:
- 2012 Rittenhouse Game of Thrones Season 1
- 2013 Rittenhouse Game of Thrones Season 2
- 2019 Rittenhouse Game of Thrones Inflexions
Daniel Craig
Stormtrooper – The Force Awakens
Most famous for playing James Bond, Daniel Craig had a brief appearance in The Force Awakens. It was a brief one and you never saw his face, or any other part of his body for that matter. That’s because he played a Stormtrooper who briefly watched over Rey while she was captured.
- 2010 Rittenhouse James Bond: Heroes and Villains
- 2011 Rittenhouse James Bond: Mission Logs
- 2012 Rittenhouse James Bond: 50th Anniversary
- 2013 Rittenhouse James Bond Autographs and Relics
- 2014 Rittenhouse James Bond Archives
- 2015 Rittenhouse James Bond Archives
- 2016 Rittenhouse James Bond Classics
- 2017 Rittenhouse James Bond Archives: Final Edition
Benicio Del Toro
DJ – The Last Jedi
Benicio Del Toro has become an enigma when it comes to big film franchises. First, there was his turn as The Collector in Guardians of the Galaxy where his presence made you think he’d play a major role in the film or, perhaps, the bigger Marvel Cinematic Universe. It wasn’t really the case. Basically, it’s the same thing with his turn as DJ in The Last Jedi. His star power brought expectations for something big that never really materialized. Still it’s enough of an excuse to get an autograph from the Academy Award winner.
Other Autograph Cards: none
Donald Glover
Lando Calrissian – Solo: A Star Wars Story
Donald Glover is one of the most talented artists working in entertainment today. As an actor, his work ranges from comedies like Community to the action of Spider-Man: Homecoming to voicing Simba in the remake of The Lion King. On television, he created the Emmy Award-winning Atlanta, a show in which he’s also the star and sometimes a director. Then there’s Glover’s music. Performing as Childish Gambino, he’s also got hit albums and Grammy Awards.
While Solo didn’t reach the blockbuster levels of the Star Wars films that came before it, you’re not likely to hear complaints Glover’s turn as a younger, but as suave as ever, Lando Calrissian.
Other Autograph Cards: none
Woody Harrelson
Beckett – Solo: A Star Wars Story
It’s time for Woody Harrelson to get an autograph card. And unless there’s a White Men Can’t Jump set being worked on, why not Star Wars (and it’s not just because his character’s name is one that’s dear to us)? Harrelson’s career has spanned decades and includes Cheers, The Hunger Games series, Zombieland and lots more big and indie.
Other Autograph Cards: none
Jim Henshaw
Wicket – Ewoks
Airing in the aftermath of Return of the Jedi, Ewoks gave the savage teddy bears an animated spinoff. Lasting two seasons, it kept Star Wars going for the Saturday morning cartoon crowd of the mid 1980s. Today, it’s largely forgotten (except for the catchy theme song that’s probably still ringing in a lot of ears decades later). Still, for those that watched the show, there are memories. And an autograph card from Wicket’s voice, Jim Henshaw, is deserving.
Other Autograph Cards: none
Oscar Isaac
Poe Dameron – The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, The Rise of Skywalker
Overall, Topps has done a good job of covering the main stars of the new trilogy. However, one name still escapes them. Outside of Star Wars, most of Isaac’s other roles have been smaller films and indies. In 2016, he won a Golden Globe for the HBO miniseries, Show Me a Hero.
Other Autograph Cards: none
Lawrence Kasdan
Writer – The Empire Strikes Back, The Force Awakens, Solo: A Star Wars Story
As a writer for The Empire Strikes Back (not to mention The Force Awakens and Solo), Lawrence Kasdan has a place in Star Wars history. And while he has an autograph for another franchise he helped shape courtesy of 2008 Topps Indiana Jones Heritage, he still has nothing for a far away galaxy. Kasdan is a four-time Academy Award nominee whose other credits include Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Big Chill.
Other Autograph Cards:
- 2008 Topps Indiana Jones Heritage
Kathleen Kennedy
Kathleen Kennedy has been a producer or executive director for dozens of blockbusters including E.T. The Extra Terrestrial, Back to the Future, Gremlins and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. In 2012, Kennedy became a co-chair of Lucasfilm with Geroge Lucas. When Disney acquired the company, she became president, heading up the franchise and guiding its overall direction.
Producer
Other Autograph Cards:
- 2008 Topps Indiana Jones Heritage
Keira Knightley
Sabé – The Phantom Menace
Before Keira Knightley shot to fame as Elizabeth Swann in Pirates of the Caribbean, she was in The Phantom Menace. She’s extremely hard to recognize with her elaborate costumes and heavy make-up. Had there been autographs for the movie when it first released, it’s reasonable to think that Knightley may have been on the checklist. Considering her star power today, it’d be much more surprising.
Other Autograph Cards: none
Diego Luna
Cassian Andor – Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
For more than 20 years, Diego Luna has been splitting his time with major Hollywood productions, international films and smaller, independent production. Besides one of the leads in Rogue One, some of his more notable credits include Elysium, Y Tu Mama Tambien, Narcos: Mexico and The Terminal. Luna is also set to reprise his role as Cassian Andor in an upcoming television series for Disney+.
Other Autograph Cards: none
Aubree Miller / Eric Walker
Cindel / Mace – The Ewok Adventure, The Battle for Endor
Let’s lump these two together because they’re essentially the same deep cut. Following Return of the Jedi, the Ewoks returned in a couple of made-for-TV movies (that did get theatrical releases in some parts of the world). Aubree Miller and Eric Walker play Cindel and Mace, siblings stranded on Endor. In a world where so many actors have signed, there’s definitely room for a couple of key players from two near-forgotten pieces of Star Wars lore.
Other Autograph Cards: none
Liam Neeson
Qui-Gon Jinn – The Phantom Menace
Liam Neeson’s run in the Star Wars movies was a short one, appearing as the wise Jedi, Qui-Gon Jinn in Episode I. While Qui-Gon’s role was primarily a plot to push Obi-Wan Kenobi’s story forward for future films, Neeson made the best of it. In fact, his character is one of the most interesting thing about the prequel.
Other Autograph Cards:
- 2005 Topps Batman Begins
Thandie Newton
Val – Solo: A Star Wars Story
Over the past two decades, Thandie Newton has put together a string of strong roles where she probably doesn’t get the attention she rightfully deserves. That’s changed somewhat with HBO’s Westworld where she is one of the high-profile show’s central characters. Newton’s role in Solo was very much supporting but that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be great to see her sign for Star Wars at some point.
Other Autograph Cards:
- 2004 Rittenhouse Chronicles of Riddick
Lupita Nyong’o
Maz Kanata – The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, The Rise of Skywalker
Maz Kanata is one of the most intriguing characters of the new trilogy. Not a lot is known about the character but, similar to Boba Fett, that mystery is part of the appeal (the humor and those goggles certainly help, too). Maz is played by Lupita Nyong’o, an actress who has accomplished a lot in a short time. Already an Academy Award winner for 12 Years a Slave, she’s also appeared in Black Panther and Us.
Other Autograph Cards: none
Simon Pegg
Unkar Plutt – The Force Awakens
Simon Pegg has been a star in several great comedies over the years including Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and The World’s End. Then there’s key parts in both the Star Trek and Mission Impossible movie reboots. His appearance in The Force Awakens was brief and behind a mask. Still, he’s there helping introduce Rey.
Other Autograph Cards:
- 2009 Rittenhouse Star Trek Movie
- 2014 Rittenhouse Star Trek Movies
- 2017 Rittenhouse Star Trek: Beyond
Natalie Portman
Padmé Amidala – The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith
So the prequels aren’t exactly Natalie Portman’s best work. But Padmé is a huge part of the Star Wars Universe. And Portman is one of the biggest names to have a starring role in the franchise. An actress who has found both critical and commercial success, winning an Academy Award in 2011 for The Black Swan.
Other Autograph Cards: none
Jimmy Smits
Bail Organa – Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
L.A. Law, NYPD Blue, Sons of Anarchy, Dexter, an episode of Pee Wee’s Playhouse — Jimmy Smits has one of the most prolific television resumés of the last 30 years. He joined the Star Wars universe during the prequel era in a role that would become known more for what happened after the end of the Revenge of the Sith by adopting Leia.
Other Autograph Cards:
- 2010 Breygent Dexter Season 3
Drew Struzan
Poster Artist
As far as popular art goes, Drew Struzan is one of the most important of all-time. His artwork has been used to get moviegoers into theatres for decades. Struzan made his debut with Star Wars with a poster for Revenge of the Jedi before it was switched to Return. When the original trilogy hit the big screen again for the Special Edition versions, Struzan created new art for all three. He continued through the prequels and also did covers for dozens of books.
Other Autograph Cards: none
Timothy Zahn
Author of the Thrawn Trilogy and other Star Wars novels
Timothy Zahn is one of the most important people in the history of the franchise. His early ’90s novels, dubbed the Thrawn Trilogy for its introduction of a memorable new villain, helped bring Star Wars out of its post Return of the Jedi lull and establish it as a legacy franchise with a seemingly endless stream of new and expanded content.
Other Autograph Cards: none
The big one for me would by Clancy Brown as Savage Oppress, Ryan. Every other voice artist, along with their aunts and uncles, seems to have signed except him
@Andy – Good choice! I’m probably one of five people on the planet who still loves Earth 2.
Timothy Zahn had sketchagraphs in Star Wars Galaxy 7. Most of the sketches were of Mara Jade.