Disney and Lucasfilm are developing an upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi spin-off film. Reports broke on Thursday. The project is in an early stage and has no script or cast yet assigned.
The Obi-Wan Kenobi film comes as the latest project of the franchise, which is currently wrapping up production of a Han Solo spin-off.
It’s happening, Obi-Wan Kenobi is coming
With Disney’s untitled Han Solo ‘Star Wars‘ standalone film approaching the finish line. Disney is now looking to tell the story of another iconic character in a galaxy far, far away.
So, it’s time for Obi-Wan Kenobi to step in.
News broke on Thursday that the Mouse House is in the early stages of bringing Obi-Wan Kenobi standalone film to live.
While there’s no script or cast, yet announced, a director is in the talks for the project.
Oscar nominated director Stephen Daldry is in talks to direct the film. Reportedly, Daldry would oversee the development and write with LucasFilm.
Daldry hails from the theater world and made his feature debut with 2000’s ‘Billy Elliot’, which netted him his first directing Oscar nomination.
He followed that up with searing dramas ‘The Hours’ and ‘The Reader’, which also netted him directing nominations.
Ewan McGregor might be back too
In the original ‘Star Wars’ trilogy, Kenobi is a desert-dwelling and war-weary hermit who later proves to be a wise and powerful warrior, brandishing a lightsaber.
He is briefly a mentor to a young Luke Skywalker before being cut down by Darth Vader, his former pupil. Alec Guinness’ portrayal of Kenobi garnered him an Oscar nomination.
The character played a central role in the George Lucas-directed prequels, which recount the origin of Vader and his betrayal of Kenobi and the Jedis.
Ewan McGregor, who played the younger Kenobi in the prequels, has said he would be open to playing the character again. Sources stress, however, that since there is no script, no actor is attached.
While there’s no much information about the project because it’s in the early stage. The fact that Daldry is in discussion to direct throws some hints.
The British director usually gravitates towards stories of young male adolescence throughout his directorial careers, from ‘Billy Elliot’ to ‘Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close’ and ‘The Reader.’
So, this might be an indicator of Obi-Wan’s age in the film.
Before its release, however, Walt Disney Studios and Lucasfilm will release ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi‘ on Dec. 15, 2017.
Expanding the ‘Star Wars’ universe
In 2012, Disney bought ‘Star Wars‘ creator George Lucas’ Lucasfilm in a $4 billion deal.
Following the purchase, Disney announced a new trilogy of films following the space saga as well as three stand-alone ‘Star Wars’ projects focusing on stories outside of the central tale of the Skywalker family.
In 2016, Disney debuted the first of those projects with ‘Rogue One‘ which featured new characters and storyline tied closely to the ongoing saga.
Currently, Disney is shooting an untitled origin tale of beloved smuggler Han Solo. The yet untitled project has a rocky couple of months when LucasFilm fired the directors.
Luckily, the company brought director Ron Howard to wrap up the project.
The film’s production has officially begun and is set to hit theaters on May 25, 2018.
The cast of the Ron Howard’s film includes Alden Ehrenreich as Han Solo, Woody Harrelson, ‘Game of Thrones‘ star Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian, Thandie Newton, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, with Joonas Suotamo as Chewbacca.
Now, the company has added Obi-Wan tot he series of spin-offs and reportedly, other stand alone in development include a Jabba the Hutt story and a Boba Fett movie, as well as Yoda.
Ready for a comeback
As for McGregor, he stated very much the same thing.
In March 2016, McGregor expressed interest in reprising the role in a potential spinoff film.
“I’d very much like to do one. I think the story between Episode III and Episode IV, I think there’s a story there,” he continued.
“I think that’s the Obi-Wan Kenobi movie if there is one. The one that bridges my Obi-Wan Kenobi and Alec’s Obi-Wan Kenobi because there’s a — I don’t know how long he’s in the desert there, but it’s got to be twenty or thirty years.”
More recently the actor confirmed once more his will to reprise the role and elaborate some more on how he thinks the story could develop.
“I’ve always thought there was a story to tell between my last one and Alec Guinness’ first one. It would be fun to film that story now I’m older. I’d be the right age. I’m 45. Alec Guinness was what, sixty? I could do two of them.”
When asked if he’s met with Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy, the actor answered.
“I’m not sure I’m at liberty to say, really, but I’m very interested in doing that. That would be great. Maybe there’s even a trilogy!”
Source: Forbes