The wishes of Star Wars fans everywhere were granted when it was announced at the D23 Expo that Ewan McGregor would be returning to play Obi-Wan Kenobi in a series on Disney+. His portrayal of the Jedi Knight was the highlight of the prequels.
Since things are in the early stages, and it’s Star Wars, we pretty much know nothing about what to expect in the show. Of course, that hasn’t stopped fans from guessing about what we might see, so these are five fan theories about the Obi-Wan Kenobi series we hope come true and five we don’t.
HOPE ARE TRUE: THE MISSING 18 YEARS
Time can be somewhat wibbly, wobbly in the Star Wars universe, but it’s been about 18 years between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. This leaves us with the major question of what Obi-Wan was doing in the time since we last saw him.
With its best guess putting the series at six to eight episodes, a theory from Inverse posits that each episode could revolve around a different period from that time in his life. Over the years, we’ve gotten both canon and non-canon glimpses at Obi-Wan on Tatooine, but it’s a question we still need to be answered.
HOPE THEY AREN’T: CONNECTION TO SOLO
As a fun heist movie, Solo works. It’s never made definitively clear, but we figure it falls between Revenge of the Sith and Rogue One, which fits the period of the show. There’s a plausible scenario where producers try to connect it to the larger story somehow.
One of the things we like about Solo is that while it’s a part of the universe, it still stands on its own two feet. This is why we want the Obi-Wan series to resist the urge to feature a cameo from young Han or Chewie at this point in their lives. More tinkering with Han’s backstory is not something we need.
HOPE ARE TRUE: OBI-WAN VS DARTH MAUL
From their first encounter in The Phantom Menace to their final battle on Rebels, Darth Maul is Obi-Wan’s greatest adversary. Considering the parallel nature of their stories, it makes sense that any show featuring Kenobi would have to include Maul.
Following his feature film return in Solo, Inverse campaigns for a live-action version of the lightsaber battle from Rebels, and we agree. The site even suggests flashbacks to their confrontations during The Clone Wars and we’re definitely on board with Obi-Wan in a revenge thriller.
HOPE THEY AREN’T: MORE TIME ON TATOOINE
For an outer rim desert planet, Tatooine has become very important to Star Wars canon. We’ve visited it in five movies already. Despite the fascinating characters Den of Geek discusses, we just don’t think there’s any of it left to explore.
Though he’s sworn to watch over Luke, that doesn’t necessarily mean he must stay on Tatooine the whole time. We assume he went out on other secret adventures and missions, and these are the stories we can’t wait to see.
HOPE ARE TRUE: LOOKING FOR OTHER JEDI
When we first discovered Star Wars, we genuinely thought Obi-Wan and Yoda were the last Jedi in the galaxy. In the years since, we’ve met many other Jedi that know of the Emperor’s purge and try to keep their powers under wraps.
We can see an adventure where Obi-Wan searches the outer rim planets for hidden Jedi, looking for allies to help him keep Luke safe. It would introduce more Jedi into the universe, while possibly bringing back some familiar faces. If the series takes place right after Episode III, we would also get to see Obi-Wan struggle with all that he’s lost.
HOPE THEY AREN’T: FIGHTING WITH OWEN AND BERU
Based on his refusal to let Luke leave the farm, and his panic when Luke wants to contact Old Ben Kenobi, it’s clear Owen Lars knows the whole story. It’s also obvious there’s been some sort of split between Owen and Obi-Wan.
Though sites like Inverse may want to see this story play out, it’s not a chapter we’re particularly interested in, as the Skywalkers have provided us with enough family drama to last a lifetime. We’re much more intrigued by other aspects of Obi-Wan’s story.
HOPE ARE TRUE: INTRODUCES CLONE WARS AND REBELS
Fans of the animated series The Clone Wars and Rebels have been waiting forever for them to become a part of the live-action films. Yes, they’re canon and connected, but what we really want is to see Ahsoka or Ezra interacting with McGregor as Obi-Wan or even Yoda. As Den of Geek suggests, he could be the one to tell them Tatooine is off-limits.
With new trilogies and TV series coming, perhaps debuting these characters in live-action will help connect the familiar universe, while establishing new heroes and stories for future projects.
HOPE THEY AREN’T: FORCE GHOST LESSONS
Revenge of the Sith ends with Yoda telling Obi-Wan he will learn how to be a force ghost from Qui-Gon Jinn. While it’s a signature aspect of the Star Wars universe, a parade of force ghosts haunting Obi-Wan as Inverse offers, might not be the most exciting TV to watch.
We’re not completely against seeing the two Jedis reunite as equals, but that sounds like a good episode, not series. Though we love the idea of our favorite characters coming back to offer guidance, it’s not something we need a more in-depth examination of.
HOPE ARE TRUE: SECRET REBEL
Though Obi-Wan went into hiding to protect Luke and himself, we find it hard to believe he wasn’t involved in the Rebellion for 18 years. In fact, Inverse suggests that he could have been very active in the early stages right after Revenge of the Sith, and this is the period the show should cover.
In Rogue One, Bail Organa makes it sound like he knows exactly where to find Obi-Wan, which has us thinking he’s been secretly helping all along. His struggle to stay in the action, while keeping his promise to watch over Luke would be a fascinating character piece.
HOPE THEY AREN’T: YOUNG LUKE
If a series is going to examine Obi-Wan’s time between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, Den of Geek imagines it will feature some version of a young Luke Skywalker. We just hope it’s not the focus of said show.
We already know Luke was an average farm boy from Tatooine, who was completely unaware of his destiny. What more could we learn by watching him as a child, or by seeing Obi-Wan stalk him like a creepy uncle? Honestly, this is the one time when we don’t need things to be all about the Skywalkers.
