Obi-Wan Kenobi Movie: Everything You Need To Know

Ever since Disney acquired Lucasfilm and announced the Skywalker saga sequel trilogy would be complemented by a series of standalone films, a spinoff chronicling the exploits of Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi has been rumored. Ewan McGregor is considered by many to be one of the prequels’ highlights, and fans have long been clamoring for Obi-Wan to be made. There’s plenty of speculation concerning the project at this point in time, so we’ve compiled everything you need to know.

• Release date: Unknown
• Cast: Ewan McGregor
• Director: Stephen Daldry
• Writer: None attached yet

The Obi-Wan Movie Has Not Been Officially Announced

It’s important for viewers to know Obi-Wan remains heavily theorized right now and isn’t officially part of Lucasfilm’s slate. Recently, the studio has unveiled plans for Rian Johnson’s new trilogy and a series from David Benioff & D.B. Weiss. Those remain the only confirmed movies post-Episode IX, so it remains to be seen if Obi-Wan will see the light of day.

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Ewan McGregor Is Game For The Obi-Wan Movie

In the event Obi-Wan does get the green light, Lucasfilm will already have its star lined up. McGregor, who portrayed the Jedi in George Lucas’ three prequels, has repeatedly said he would happily return for a spinoff if asked. McGregor continues to have a solid relationship with Lucasfilm, making a voiceover cameo in The Force Awakens.

Read More: Why Ewan McGregor Needs To Return As Obi-Wan

Stephen Daldry May Direct The Obi-Wan Movie

Last year, when the Obi-Wan spinoff started to gain some traction, it was reported Oscar nominee Stephen Daldry was in talks to direct. The filmmaker is best-known for character dramas such as Billy Elliot and The Reader, which makes him an interesting choice for this Star Wars movie. Obi-Wan should be an intimate small-scale story of Kenobi living his days in the desert.

Read More: Why Stephen Daldry Is a Good Choice For Obi-Wan

The Obi-Wan Movie Would Take Place On Tatooine

The first two Star Wars anthologies, Rogue One and Solo, fleshed out the time period between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. It looks like Obi-Wan would continue that tradition. In 2017, the film received the working title Joshua Tree. In addition to being a U2 album, that name is a reference to a New Hope filming location: Zabriskie Point in Southern California’s Death Valley. This means it’s likely Obi-Wan would take us back to the famous desert planet of Tatooine for its story.

Newer reports have suggested the plot will involve Obi-Wan taking on Tusken Raiders and protecting a young Luke, but those are of unclear veracity.

Read More: Obi-Wan Spinoff Movie Gets Working Title

Qui-Gon Jinn Could Return In Obi-Wan

Obi-Wan may not be the only familiar Star Wars character who appears in this spinoff. Given his dynamic with Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn (whom Obi-Wan learned under as a Padawan), this would be a golden opportunity to bring the two old friends back together. Qui-Gon, who was the first Jedi to master discovering life beyond death and becoming one with the Force, spent the two decades between Episode III and IV perfecting it and was able to manifest himself in spirit form. Much like the Yoda scene in Last Jedi, Qui-Gon could come to his pupil in a time of need.

Read More: Liam Neeson Interested In Playing Qui-Gon Again

The Obi-Wan Movie May Film In 2019

If you believe the rumors, Obi-Wan is going to be in front of the cameras in early 2019 to meet a 2020 release date. The plan is for it to begin production at Pinewood in London after Episode IX wraps in late 2018. The film is supposedly so far along in development that the art department teams are handling their pre-production responsibilities to keep everything on schedule.

Read More: Obi-Wan Movie Reportedly Filming In Spring 2019

How Likely Is The Obi-Wan Movie?

One would think it’d be safe to assume there’s fire to go with all the smoke from the past year, but Lucasfilm has remained curiously quiet on Obi-Wan. Instead, as mentioned, they’ve unveiled Rian Johnson’s new Star Wars trilogy and a series from David Benioff & D.B. Weiss for their post-Episode IX slate. Unless there’s a surprise announcement on the way, the odds of this movie happening are slim. If Obi-Wan was right around the corner as the rumors say, Lucasfilm probably would have said something.

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When Could The Obi-Wan Movie Release?

Many predict 2020 is when Obi-Wan could hit theaters, but there are holes to poke in that theory. Unlike Marvel, Lucasfilm is currently in the business of releasing one movie per year, and they already have Indiana Jones 5 planned for 2020. Plus, the release calendar for that year is starting to fill up, with Avatar 2 and Sherlock Holmes 3 taking Disney Star Wars’ traditional holiday window. Should Obi-Wan come to pass, it probably won’t hit theaters until 2021.

Read More: When Will The Third Star Wars Spinoff Release?

More Obi-Wan Spinoff Movie News

• Ewan McGregor Says Obi-Wan Movie Is ‘Just Talk’
• Obi-Wan Was The Last Jedi’s Biggest Missed Opportunity
• Obi-Wan Movie Fan-Made Poster

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