Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Series Won’t Be The Fun Star Wars Romp You’re Hoping For
The upcoming Ewan McGregor series isn't going to be an upbeat Star Wars story.
This article is more than 2 years old
So, looking for some “fun” Star Wars action in any of the upcoming Disney+ series? Perhaps something along the lines of The Mandalorian? Well, if you are, don’t look to the upcoming Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi series for that “fun.” According to trusted sources for We Got This Covered, Obi-Wan Kenobi is going to feature Ewan McGregor returning as the Jedi Master with a mood and temperament we haven’t seen from him before. Obi-Wan Kenobi, their sources say, will be re-introduced to fans as a depressed Jedi Master and the overall tone of the series looks to be a much darker affair than what we’ve seen from Star Wars in the past.
Now, that’s not saying it won’t be worth watching. It just may not be what fans were expecting or hoping for. True, there is plenty of darkness as it pertains to Star Wars in general, but the overall tone of the franchise has been tinged with a sense of fun and adventure, humor, and even some romance.
Given when Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan story picks up (roughly a decade after Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith), it is easy to understand Obi-Wan’s depression. His former protégé Anakin Skywalker fully embraced the Dark Side, turned his alliance to Emperor Palpatine, and slaughtered an entire temple of Younglings (if you follow Anakin in the comics). Also, is the fact that while on Mustafar, Obi-Wan was forced into a few acts while trying to bring Anakin back from the Dark Side that was desperate at best, so his dark depression is expected.
Revenge of the Sith concluded with Ewan McGregor taking baby Luke to the Lars Homestead then sending himself into a self-imposed exile where he could watch over Luke. Picking up Obi-Wan’s life at that point is going to be interesting, to say the least. Especially since it is unknown if a young Luke will be making an appearance which, if you think about it, he has to. Lucasfilm isn’t tipping their hand on this one.
One thing that is known about the upcoming Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi series is that Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy has promised fans “the rematch of the century.” Hayden Christensen, first off, is returning to his role as Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, which is major news in itself. But Kennedy took things a step further when she announced Christensen’s return and dropped a few details about the upcoming series for Ewan McGregor. “Obi-Wan Kenobi begins 10 years after the dramatic events of Revenge of the Sith, where he faced his greatest defeat, the downfall and corruption of his best friend and Jedi apprentice, Anakin Skywalker turned evil Sith Lord Darth Vader,” Kennedy said via CinemaBlend. “Our fans will be thrilled that Hayden Christensen will be returning in the role of Darth Vader. This will be the rematch of the century.”
Director Deborah Chow, who has two episodes of The Mandalorian under her belt, also leaned into the darkness that awaits Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan. “This is quite a dark time we’re coming into with him,” Chow explained to EW. “Just being a Jedi is not safe. There are Jedi hunters out there… We couldn’t tell the story of Obi-Wan Kenobi without addressing Anakin or Vader. We all definitely see Obi-Wan and Darth Vader get into it again.”
Along with Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen reprising their famous roles, Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi will also see the return of Joel Edgerton and Bonnie Piesse as Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru (so young Luke has to show, right?). While there will be a number of friendly faces in the series, it will also introduce a few new characters. The newcomers will include Moses Ingram (The Queen’s Gambit), Kumail Nanjiani (Stuber, Marvel’s Eternals), Indira Varma (Game of Thrones), Rupert Friend (Hitman: Agent 47), O’Shea Jackson Jr. (Straight Outta Compton), Sung Kang (F9), Simone Kessell (Reckoning), and Benny Safdie (director of Uncut Gems). Who knows, there are also rumblings that Liam Neeson could make a return appearance as Qui-Gon Jinn.
Dark and depressing. It can’t all be that, can it? More than likely not but it will be interesting to see just how Chow and Ewan McGregor play Obi-Wan throughout the scheduled six-episode mini-series. There is no word if it in any way, shape, or form will tie in with the many other Star Wars series that Lucasfilm and Disney+ have lined up. As long as there is a good story to back up the supposed dark and depressing nature, we’ll take an Obi-Wan/Darth Vader rematch any way we can get it.
