WARNING: The following contains possible rumors/leaks regarding Obi-Wan Kenobi‘s plot, which is set to debut on May 27, 2022 on Disney+.
With just two months ahead of the greatly anticipated release of Disney+’s Obi-Wan Kenobi series, speculation has begun amongst fans for what the story could look like as the galaxy returns to its iconic Jedi Master and Clone War hero. Such theories have included possibilities of how General Grievous could see his resurrection or how Disney+’s earlier series, The Book of Boba Fett, links back to Obi-Wan Kenobi.
As it’s been confirmed that Hayden Christensen will be reprising his role as Darth Vader, questions of how involved his character will be in the series have become a focal point. Specifically, a Reddit theory speculates that Darth Vader is the key to Obi-Wan Kenobi reconnecting with his old master, Qui-Gon Jinn.
The theory entertains the idea that Obi-Wan Kenobi, shrouded by intense feelings of grief and guilt, will be unable to connect to his former master via the Force in the aftermath of Order 66. As Obi-Wan reels from regret on the desert planet of Tatooine, he feels responsible for training and failing to stop Vader’s fall to the dark side, according to the theory. While Yoda stated in Revenge of the Sith that Obi-Wan would be able to communicate with Qui-Gon, he is unable to after 10 years of long silence due to his trauma.
The theory goes on to predict that, in a critical mission to ambush Vader, Obi-Wan and his fallen apprentice meet once more, where Obi-Wan bests Vader once again. Moments before delivering the killing blow, Qui-Gon talks to Obi-Wan through the Force, telling him not to kill him and that Vader still has a role in the future to bring balance to the Force. Of course, Vader would eventually accomplish this goal by ultimately being the one to kill Palpatine (before Palpatine somehow returned in The Rise of Skywalker, of course.)
To the theory’s credit, there’s a supposed leaked video that showcases a rematch between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader. It’s unknown whether this will make the final cut or where the potential duel will fall in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series. It’s entirely possible that the leak could be fake, or that it could take place in some sort of dream/non-canon sequence. If it were to happen, however, the moment could allow Qui-Gon’s Force-ghost to intervene and stop Obi-Wan from defeating his fallen apprentice, again.
While an interesting theory to consider, it’s less likely to happen in the storyline of Obi-Wan Kenobi. A major flaw in this theory is that, even if all of this were to happen, it wouldn’t make sense that Qui-Gon is suddenly able to talk to Obi-Wan at the exact right moment. It would be strange that Qui-Gon talks to Obi-Wan through the Force during this rematch duel, but not during their duel of fates on Mustafar. Plus, when Obi-Wan and Darth Vader meet again in A New Hope, it comes across as the first time they meet. While it’s not explicitly stated, Vader does state, “When I left you I was but the learner. Now I am the Master.” Having Obi-Wan and Darth Vader have a rematch prior to these events would take away from that scene.
Furthermore, the short story “Master and Apprentice,” which is part of the canonical anthology series From a Certain Point of View, focuses on Qui-Gon Jinn’s communications with Obi-Wan. In the story, there are themes of Obi-Wan feeling guilt for Anakin’s fall and Padmé’s demise. However, there is no mention of Obi-Wan’s rematch with Vader or that the short story preceded the events or was after.
While the Reddit theory is unlikely to translate to the screen, there are certain parts of it that surely will. Themes such as trauma and guilt and regret will be explored in Obi-Wan’s series, bridging the gap between the Obi-Wan Kenobi that viewers last saw on Tatooine and his emergence from hermithood with Luke Skywalker.
The first two episodes of Obi-Wan Kenobi premiere on May 27th, 2022 on Disney+.
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