Will they, or won’t they? It’s becoming one of the biggest questions within the Star Wars Universe. With the growth of spinoff movies, including the impending Rogue One and Han Solo feature, the eyes have moved to another legendary character. Will Disney and Lucasfilm come together to create a Obi-Wan Kenobi movie?
The fuel was thrown on this particular fire a few months ago when Ewan McGregor made it clear that he was ready to make more Star Wars films. With the buzz surrounding Rogue One, it seemed like Star Wars would unlock the storage bin and turn as many stories into feature films as possible, with Kenobi at the top of that list. However, as Entertainment Weekly reporter Anthony Breznican said on Rebel Force Radio… a Kenobi movie in the near future isn’t happening, because the Jedi Master might make some sort of appearance in the current trilogy of movies.
“I have heard rumors that the one reason they haven’t moved sooner on Obi-Wan is that they’re not done with Obi-Wan quite yet in the saga films. So I wouldn’t be surprised to see an Obi-Wan [solo film] happen beyond ‘Episode IX’”
Well that’s certainly a bombshell should it be proven true. Now, McGregor did sort of reprise the Kenobi role in The Force Awakens, lending his voice to Rey’s Force Vision sequence (along with O.G. Kenobi Sir Alec Guiness). Perhaps when he said, “These are your first steps”… they weren’t meant for Rey, but for himself. Since he’s already involved, you can easily expect more McGregor down the road. Ewan even went on record saying he’s in.
“I always thought there was a story to tell between the last one I did and the first Alec Guinness. There are no plans, no one approached me. But I’d be willing to do so. It would be fun to turn that story now that I’m older. I have the right age for that matter. I am 45 years, Alec Guinness had what, sixty? I could do both (laughs)!”
He went on to say, “I could make two films about Obi-Wan Kenobi, ” which is interesting for one simple reason: there are two movie saga movies left on the Star Wars slate. That leads us to an incredibly interesting revelation:
What if Obi-Wan Kenobi is a crucial character in both Episode VIII and IX?
I’m not talking about a Force Ghost, either. Remember, when Kenobi had his one-on-one battle with Vader in the first Death Star, he wasn’t struck down, he disappeared and became one with the Force. Sure, he turned up as a Force Ghost later on, but what if the reason Luke Skywalker is looking for the first Jedi temple is because there’s a way to resurrect the physical form of Obi-Wan Kenobi? Perhaps McGregor is privy to these plans, hence the “two films” remark.
Even if that’s the case, Star Wars shouldn’t stop considering a Obi-Wan movie just because he could turn up in future stories. Having lived a long life, there are plenty of side stories that would be perfect to tell on the big screen. There’s a 19-year gap to be filled between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope; surely, Kenobi didn’t spend nearly two decades chilling out on Tattooine watching over a young boy. That story can be unraveled alongside Kenobi’s rumored appearance in future episodes.
While many rumors seem to swirl around the Star Wars films, this could be the most interesting of them all. Obi-Wan Kenobi has a strong following, so any more stories featuring the Jedi Knight would be welcomed by fans across the galaxy. Perhaps we’ll get a better idea of Kenobi’s future once a trailer for Episode VIII is finally released.
So, what do you think? Have we seen the last of Obi-Wan Kenobi, or is he just getting started? If he does return, what is your take on McGregor taking over as an older Kenobi in place of Guinness? Let us know in the comments section below, Kenobi-lovers!
