When The Walt Disney Company bought Lucasfilm Ltd. back in 2012, we were almost immediately promised new and exciting installments set in the Star Wars Universe. We’ve already seen one of these films, formerly known as Star Wars Anthology Films, taking place outside of the Skywalker Saga with Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and another is finishing up re-shoots – the Untitled Han Solo Film. Now the studio has begun development on an Obi-Wan Kenobi stand-alone project?
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Lucasfilm is developing a spinoff Kenobi movie and is in talks with award-winning director, Stephen Daldry, best known for Billy Elliot and The Hours. Having played the character in the prequels, Ewan McGregor has expressed interest in reprising the role of the Jedi Master.
Although Lucasfilm has not officially confirmed a release date for the film, the company was rumored to have had the Obi-Wan film scheduled with other upcoming projects along with a Boba Fett film, and perhaps a Yoda movie. We can only imagine that this film would explore the unseen years of Obi-Wan’s life while playing the protector of Luke Skywalker (unbeknownst to Luke) on Tatooine. Some of these adventures have played out in canon cartoons (Star Wars Rebels) and canon comic books, but to see them in live action glory is another thing entirely.
There’s a lot of stories to be told in the Star Wars Universe and some fans may be upset that the standalone films are covering old terrain by going into established character’s pasts and in the case of Rogue One, giving details to a story in which we already know the ending. However, Rogue One told an incredibly deep story rich with new characters and flowing with powerful emotion. What’s to say that another adventure with Old Ben Kenobi wouldn’t be equally as entertaining?
What do you think? Are you excited at the potential of a new Obi-Wan Kenobi centered film? Do you think the studio should introduce new characters and explore new stories in the Star Wars Universe? Let us know in the comments!
