STAR WARS: Re-Casting Obi-Wan Kenobi

With news that an Obi-Wan Kenobi series may be in the works for Disney+, fans are now asking the next logical question: Who will play Kenobi? Before we get to that, let’s take a step back and examine how we got here. For some time an Obi-Wan Star Wars story film was in the works. There was even a director attached to the project. Solo: A Star Wars Story’s disappointing box office, however, nixed the Kenobi stand-alone feature, seemingly for good.

Enter Disney+, Disney’s upcoming, streaming media service. We have already confirmed two, live-action Star Wars series with The Mandalorian and a Rogue One spinoff featuring Cassian Andor (and hopefully K-2SO). Lucasfilm has seemingly traded a Kenobi film for a possible miniseries on the streaming platform instead. Assuming that moves forward, there’s only one period of time in Kenobi’s life that’s yet unexplored.

Who Can Play Obi-Wan Kenobi?

Unless the show takes a sharp turn in direction (perhaps exploring Obi-Wan’s relationship with Duchess Satine), the logical time period for the Kenobi series is immediately following the events of Revenge of the Sith. Admittedly, Ewan McGregor is a young(ish) looking actor. Though it’s possible he could pull off a reprisal, he’s still forty-five years old. He was thirty-four at the time of Episode III… the same age actor Taron Egerton is now.

Sure, it’s blasphemy to talk about recasting our Star Wars heroes. Solo was clear evidence of what happens if you don’t cast what fans consider the perfect candidate. But could Egerton pull off a post-Revenge of the Sith (or an earlier Clone Wars) Kenobi? Perhaps.

Egerton displayed ability to act in physically demanding scenes as well as show sophistication in his role as “Eggsy” in The Kingsmen films. Both qualities would serve any actor portraying Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. Of course the British accent doesn’t hurt, either.

Personally I’d prefer to see McGregor don his Jedi cape once more, regardless of his age. If he can’t, or doesn’t, Egerton just might provide a reasonable facsimile.

Stay tuned here to That Hashtag Show for information on the Kenobi series and all your Star Wars news as it happens!