Scottish actor Ewan McGregor while recently being questioned by Collider about his small voice cameo in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (video embedded below) revealed his desire to return to the saga as Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi. When asked about the rumors that he had met with Lucasfilm about a standalone spin-off movie starring his character the actor was tellingly tight-lipped. This has fueled speculation among Star Wars fans that Lucasfilm is indeed developing an Obi-Wan Kenobi movie, with rumors even suggesting a possible trilogy dedicated to the character.
Rumored to be set between the events of episodes III and IV, an entire movie or trilogy of movies set entirely on Tatooine would not only be aesthetically limiting but also out of character for a Star Wars movie. Furthermore having Obi-Wan grounded on Tatooine would limit the narrative flexibility of any said movies, making the characters choices limited and predictable. Yet for Obi-Wan to leave Tatooine the cause would have to be equal to or greater than his charge of protecting Luke Skywalker, such as a viable threat to Leia's life.
But the primary reason that would entice fans and satisfy the characters narrative would be for Obi-Wan to attain a measure of closure with his former friend and student Anakin Skywalker, now known as the dark Sith Lord Darth Vader. For these two characters to meet again after their duel on Mustafar, but before their final battle on the Death Star could be used to satisfy some narrative discrepancies between Episode III and beyond. One such discrepancy being that at the climax of Episode III Vader is bereft after learning from Palpatine that Padme died by his own hand on Mustafar (pictured above), yet in Episode V while conversing with the Emperor (pictured below) he refers to Luke as the son of 'Skywalker' (his former self), revealing that he knows Luke is his son, and that Padme must have survived Mustafar and his attempts to choke her.
Imagine a Lightsaber duel similar to that in Episode V, but this time between Vader and Obi-Wan. A brutal duel that unfolds into a dialogue scene where it is revealed to Vader that the emperor lied to him, that he did not kill Padme, that his son survived and is guarded by Obi-Wan. Not only would such revelations address the aforementioned discrepancy, but it would also address why Darth Vader's character is calmer, collected and at peace in the original trilogy than Anakin ever was in the prequel trilogy. But first, we must find a way to get Obi-Wan off Tatooine and back into the fight for the galaxy, if only for one mission.
Foreshadowing the Princesses story arc seen in episode IV, Alderaan could be shown to be under occupation by Imperial forces commanded by an overly zealous and ambitious Imperial commander who has overstepped his authority and placed the Organa Royal Family under arrest for suspected support of the Rebel Alliance. Before their arrest, the Queens husband Bail Organa (Jimmy Smits) could send an encrypted message to Obi-Wan requesting his help to infiltrate Alderaan and destroy evidence of his families involvement with the Rebel Alliance, else the Organa's will face execution for treason against the Empire.
To reach Alderaan Obi-Wan can be shown in Mos Eisley Spaceport, learning of the Cantina from Episode IV, before carrying out his covert operation to save the lives of the Organa's and their adopted daughter Leia. Upon completion of his mission the Imperial Commander who instigated the occupation of Alderaan would be relieved of his duties by newly arrived Darth Vader, then allowing for the characters aforementioned confrontation with his former master and friend, Obi-Wan.
With the rescue of the Organa's and the closure of Anakin and Obi-Wan's past providing the meat of the plot for an Obi-Wan Kenobi movie, another narrative thread that could be woven into the story could be one of revenge, with an epic lightsaber duel upon which to end the movie. A rematch between Obi-Wan Kenobi and the one person in the galaxy who hates him the most, all taking place on a rain-soaked moisture farm on Tatooine (pictured above).
How would you like to see an Obi-Wan Kenobi movie unfold? Do you agree with our suggestions above or do you wish to see the Jedi Knight face off against other characters from the Star Wars saga such as Boba Fett, Jabba the Hutt or possibly even the Emperor?
