Sources scorched the internet this week with a new Star Wars rumor that Ewan McGregor has reportedly inked a contract to reprise his role as Obi-Wan Kenobi. Turns out that, for once, the rumor is true.
Fans have shouted from the rooftops for a long while that they want an Obi-Wan movie, and let’s face it; McGregor’s performance of Obi Wan was one of the brighter moments of the prequel trilogy. Confirmation from multiple sources now give us something potentially better: an Obi-Wan Kenobi series on Disney+.
Why a series and not a movie?
On the surface, moving this fan-favorite icon to the small screen might feel like a demotion, but times have changed. Studios once wanted larger-than-life silver screen performances to be their defining persona. That is a way of the past with the advent of streaming services. It seems almost every network and production company has one, or is affiliated with one. Disney is no different, and they are shelling out the credits on content to ensure fans want to subscribe to theirs.
(image: Lucasfilm)
The announcement of a Disney+ Kenobi series adds to the expanding big-budget titles of The Mandalorian and the as-yet-unnamed Cassian/K-2SO series on the slate. With a small-screen Obi-Wan Kenobi show, the fans win in a big way. They get their stand-alone Kenobi story and they’ll get it in a way that gives story-telling justice to this complex character. They can also be introduced new characters in a more thoughtful, organic fashion. The biggest question is what era will we get to see Obi-Wan in?
McGregor is 48, so if they stick with his age at the time of filming, we should be seeing his exile years on Tatooine. His vigil over Luke, and possible misadventures with Owen Lars, the Sandpeople, Jawas, and evading the Empire could be some juicy storytelling.
The timing couldn’t be more perfect
If you were hoping for big Star Wars news out of SDCC, you were likely disappointed. Sure we got a couple scraps, but there was very little meat on that Star Wars bone. D23 is only a week away. Fans are hoping for a new Episode IX trailer to drop at the blockbuster event. Anything to do with The Rise of Skywalker is big news, but an official announcement with any details of the Obi-Wan project will be a show-stopper.
Another unconfirmed rumor in this particular mill is that Obi-Wan may make an appearance in Episode IX. With the final installment being billed as the wrap up of all the movies together, a ghostly visit from Obi-Wan would be a welcome throwback if it serves the greater story. If that rumor comes true, it could be a prelude of things to come.
Disney could have an unintended problem on their hands. The Rise of Skywalker is highly anticipated to be a box office crusher; a film juggernaut of unequaled proportion. The announcement of the Kenobi project could overshadow any Episode IX news we get from D23. Fans Want it. McGregor wants it. We want it. You want it. Search your feelings. You know it to be true.
Ewan McGregor loves the role
At the Golden Globes back in 2018, the Scottish actor was asked in an interview about the fans getting behind a stand-alone Kenobi movie, and if he would don the Jedi’s robes again. He said:
“There’s no official offer, and I haven’t met them about it or anything. But I’ve always said that I’d be happy to do it if they wanted to do it. It would be a good segue between the last episode of the prequels and the new episodes. I think they’ve got films to make until the 2020s, so I don’t think it’s going to happen soon if it happens at all.”
Ewan McGregor
Well here we are in 2019 and it’s happening, and other Star Wars actors will be paying attention to how this goes. Samuel L. Jackson has been very vocal about wanting to bring back Mace Windu. Another interview with Joel Edgerton, who portrays a young Owen Lars in Episode III, said this about returning the the role of Uncle Owen:
“First part of your question is: could he come back? Yes. Should he come back? Maybe even more of a yeah! I think me and Ewan and Liam Neeson in a movie is pretty good. Absolutely! I’d be totally down.”
Joel Edgerton on the possible return of Owen Lars
Obi-Wan Kenobi: Will you watch it?
There is no doubt that somewhere in the Lucasfilm Ltd. vaults, there has been the beginning, or maybe even a complete script for an Obi-Wan story for a while. Rumors have swirled about that for a long time. The confirmation of this project could mean that the Lucasfilm heads are finally listening to the fans and dusting it off. Perhaps there is now hope for the #MakeSolo2Happen crowd!
Will you be getting Disney+? Three big shows with budgets to match just might be the ticket to some of the best Star Wars stories yet to be told. Tell us what you think at That Hashtag Show.com!
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