Rumors of an Obi-Wan Kenobi solo movie or television series circulated for years among Star Wars fans without anything coming to fruition. However, the fans clamoring for more of Kenobi were apparently not unheard. At the D23 Expo in 2019, Disney announced Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi. Fans were elated with the announcement, and leading-man Ewan McGregor has since promised that the series will not disappoint.
The Disney+ mini-series will feature the legendary Jedi Master in his live-action debut on the small screen. With the release edging ever closer, more and more details have started to emerge. So, here’s everything we know so far about Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi.
What Is the Story Around Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi’s First Season?
Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi‘s official synopsis that was given when the series was announced reads: “The story begins 10 years after the dramatic events of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith where Kenobi faced his greatest defeat, the downfall and corruption of his best friend and Jedi apprentice, Anakin Skywalker turned evil Sith Lord Darth Vader.”
One can gain a lot from this summary. For starters, that timeline means the series is set in 9 BBY, putting Luke and Leia at 10-years-old. It also means that Palpatine has solidified the Empire’s control over the galaxy with Vader as his enforcer. Elsewhere in the galaxy, the Inquisitorius is continuing its hunt for any Jedi stragglers. That plot point will be one of the the main grounds for Obi-Wan Kenobi‘s story. That makes sense because Sung Kang is tabbed to play a lightsaber-wielding villain, and many fans have speculated that he will play the Inquisitor called the Fifth Brother.
Sung Kang, however, won’t be the only lightsaber-wielding villain because Darth Vader will also be making an appearance. In fact, during Disney Investor Day 2020, Lucusfilm President Kathleen Kennedy hinted that Vader and Kenobi will face each other during the series in the “rematch of the century.“
While conflict and action are important to any Star Wars project, many fans expect this series to have a dark psychological tone. Even ten years down the road, it’s expected that Obi-Wan will be dealing with the emotional trauma of Order 66 and trying to cope with the destruction of everything he had known. Maybe he communicates with Yoda or Qui-Gon Jinn. Either way, he should have plenty of time to reflect.
Who’s In Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Cast?
After playing the Jedi master in all three prequel movies, Ewan McGregor will be back to play the titular character yet again. Fans pressed him for years for details on a possible Kenobi project, but he stayed quiet. Now, he no longer has to keep the project a secret. Also back from previous Star Wars projects are Joel Edgerton and Bonnie Piesse, who will once again portray Owen Lars and Beru Lars, respectively. They may clash with Obi-Wan as they try to raise a young Luke Skywalker and keep him away from Old Ben. However, Kenobi will have bigger problems to deal with than stubborn moisture farmers.
Rejoining McGregor is Hayden Christensen, who is seemingly excited for his Star Wars return after being seen in a Obi-Wan Kenobi stunt team hat at Florida Supercon. Christiansen is, of course, tabbed to play Darth Vader, and concept art even shows him unmasked and being rebuilt after his duel on Mustafar. It is also theorized that Christiansen will portray Anakin Skywalker in some flashback sequences. Hopefully that will be able to vindicate his much-maligned portrayals of the Chosen One from the Prequel Trilogy. While Vader will be hunting Kenobi down, he will reportedly have help from an Inquisitor. According to Cinelinx, Sung Kang will likely be playing the Fifth Brother from Star Wars Rebels.
Rumor also has it that a young Luke and Leia could play a big part in the series, with Vivien Lyra Blair taking on the role of Leia. Additionally, according to Kumail Nanjiani, he will have a large role in the series. Who Nanjiani is playing is unknown, but he has been clear that he will be playing a type of character that Star Wars fans have never seen before. The rest of the cast’s corresponding characters are currently unnamed. They are as follows: Maya Erskine, Rupert Friend, Moses Ingram, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Simone Kessell, Benny Safdie and Indira Varma.
When Is Star Wars: Kenobi’s Release Date?
While the premiere of Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi is still on the horizon, details are starting to come into focus. Filming began in April of 2021, which indicated that a 2022 release window would be possible. Now, according to Latino Review Media, principle photography has wrapped on the series. With only post-production left to complete, the series is closer than it has ever been. In fact, reports hint that Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi will come out in early to mid-2022. Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi does not have a trailer at this time, but with the release date creeping up, hopefully a teaser will drop near the end of this year.
Directed by Deborah Chow and starring Ewan McGregor, Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi is expected in 2022.
This article will be updated as new information becomes available.
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