LOS ANGELES -
"Obi-Wan Kenobi" -- now that is a reputation informal "Star Wars" followers have not heard in a very long time. The Jedi grasp will get his personal second within the suns with a brand new six-part Disney+ sequence starring Ewan McGregor.
It is set midway between George Lucas' two trilogies: 10 years after "Episode III: Revenge of the Sith," which marked McGregor's final look because the character, and 9 years earlier than the late Alec Guinness made his hooded, howling entrance as Ben Kenobi in "Episode IV: A New Hope."
McGregor stated he at all times saved the honored Guinness in thoughts throughout manufacturing. He listened to Guinness' dialogue on a sound file in his dressing room and took extra time after scenes had been filmed "simply to do some further Alec Guinness-y take -- simply to verify.
"It is bought to really feel like him. I studied him in that film," the 51-year-old actor stated. "I've at all times bought to be any individual who finally ends up changing into Alec Guinness on the finish of the day."
A Kenobi undertaking that includes McGregor has been in improvement for years, initially as a movie with Stephen Daldry hooked up to direct. That was tossed within the scrap heap after the comparatively meagre field workplace returns of 2018's "Solo: A Star Wars Story." With the launch of Disney+ the subsequent yr, Lucasfilm pinned its hopes on a streaming sequence. (Kenobi was additionally featured within the animated sequence "The Clone Wars," which ran for seven seasons and is now on Disney+.)
Filming befell final yr totally on Industrial Gentle & Magic's technologically modern Los Angeles-area soundstages, the place huge LED screens create digital worlds that encompass performers.
As with the hit "The Mandalorian," additionally filmed there, producers have saved most particulars cloaked in secrecy. However here is what to search for as the primary two episodes premiere Friday:
WHAT'S KENOBI UP TO?
"I'll take the kid and watch over him." That was Kenobi's plan for Luke Skywalker on the conclusion of 2005's "Revenge of the Sith." Luke and Leia's mom died simply after their beginning, and Jimmy Smits' regal Bail Organa adopted Leia. Kenobi introduced Luke to stay with household on Tatooine, and that is the place the brand new sequence begins. Trailers present Kenobi on the desert planet with binoculars, 10-year-old Skywalker in sight. The child appears alright -- for now. However be able to pack up that starfighter. The sequence introduces a brand new planet to the galaxy: Daiyu, with a glowing city Hong Kong-like setting good for rooftop blaster shootouts.
WHICH VERSION OF KENOBI IS THIS?
"You had been my brother, Anakin! I liked you!" Kenobi ended "Episode III" failing to sway his padawan away from the darkish aspect -- then slicing off Anakin's limbs and leaving him in flames. He is torn with anguish and remorse, even earlier than he is aware of Anakin grew to become Darth Vader. However "Episode IV" finds Kenobi chill, in management, Zen. That mindset shift is vital to "Kenobi," stated director Deborah Chow: "How did he go from the banks of Mustafar to the calm of Sir Alec Guinness? One thing clearly occurred there, between these 20 years. So for us, largely, that was why we felt we truly had a narrative to inform."
WHO IS ON THE DARK SIDE?
Trailers set up Jedi-hunting Inquisitors, performed by Rupert Good friend, Sung Kang and Moses Ingram, as the important thing antagonists. However do not forget Vader. Chow wished to incorporate the black-suited villain to up the stakes for Kenobi. "Emotionally, a lot of the load that he is carrying is coming primarily from what occurred with Anakin. So every part sort of saved main us again to that," she stated.
WHITHER VADER?
A lightsaber duel rematch appears fated. It is unclear whose voice audiences will hear, however Hayden Christensen once more dons the black helmet for the function. "That costume comes with such a presence," he stated. "You place it on and it simply informs a lot the way in which you're feeling. And for me, it was very type of cathartic in a method too simply because it is a character that has meant so much to me and has type of stayed with me over time -- and getting to return again and proceed with it was an emotional expertise."
WHO ELSE IS AROUND?
Joel Edgerton and Bonnie Piesse reprise their roles from the prequels as Owen and Beru Lars, Luke's aunt and uncle. Anticipate different established characters to make as-yet-unannounced appearances in both the primary story or by flashbacks, used closely within the different stay motion "Star Wars" sequence. Rosario Dawson's Ahsoka Tano, starring in her personal upcoming sequence, will nearly actually drop in. May we see a "Drive ghost" model of Kenobi's instructor Qui-Gon Jinn, performed by Liam Neeson? A younger Leia with Smits' Organa? Chewbacca or Darth Maul? They will quickly reveal themselves to viewers.
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AP author Cristina Jaleru in London contributed to this report
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