Warning, spoilers! The following article reveals important information about Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi.
A key element of Ben Kenobi’s story in the new Disney+ series was revealed by George Lucas himself back in 1981. The screenwriter reveals that while working on Return of the Jedi, the director started thinking about the stories of Obi-Wan, Anakin, Padme. and Emperor Palpatine, stories he would later detail in the Star Wars prequel trilogy.
While George Lucas’ first draft doesn’t quite match Return of the Jedi and Revenge of the Sith, it informs Ben’s state of mind and his inner conflict as portrayed in the series.
At a Return of the Jedi 1981 production meeting, George Lucas detailed his thoughts on Anakin’s downfall, his corrupt relationship with Palpatine, and Padme’s eventual death, leaving Luke and Leia with the Lars family. For one and the royal house of Alderaan for another.
While most of George Lucas’ plans were carried over to Revenge of the Sith, some key details were changed, such as Anakin’s dark side (which happened much less gradually in the film), his severe wounds on Mustafar, and his appropriate age. About Luke and Leia at the time of Padme’s death.
Still, George Lucas’s plan also made clear Obi-Wan’s extreme guilt over his failure to train Anakin and his sense of responsibility towards the nightmarish fascist regime oppressing the galaxy.
It’s now an essential part of his characterization in the series, which portrays the once-legendary Jedi as falling into despair over his crimes, weakening his connection to the Force. The feeling is heightened when he learns that his corrupt former apprentice is still alive, forcing him to confront Darth Vader twice.
But at the end of the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, the character, played by Ewan McGregor, accepts his “mistakes” and accepts his share of “responsibility” for the horrors committed by Darth Vader in the galaxy, but above all this man. Good thing he knew he was dead—figuratively—allows him to resume his mission on Tatooine with renewed confidence.
In the continuity of the Star Wars universe, Obi-Wan never met Darth Vader between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, but he learned that his former apprentice survived their duel after becoming a ruler on Tatooine.
For some viewers, the version presented in the series is more interesting because it allows Obi-Wan to move past his guilt and accept that Anakin (Hayden Christensen) is no longer in the show: Kenobi and Darth Vader talking. A show finale that builds on the spiritual state of the first in Return of the Jedi.
Ultimately, both iterations of Obi-Wan’s story match George Lucas’ vision, but in different ways. One allows the character to stay true to his mission, protect Luke, and come to terms with his guilt on his own, while the other shows enough desperation to hinder his ultimate mission.
The filmmaker’s 1981 vision also emphasized the strong friendship between Obi-Wan and Bail Organa (Jimmy Smits). While the two have several adventures together outside of Revenge of the Sith, the Obi-Wan Kenobi series follows the director’s original plan and shows a deep level of trust between two characters who share a common goal: to overthrow the Empire and protect the children. Anakin and Padme.
Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi Must be Discovered or Rediscovered on Disney+.
Source: allocine
Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
