Star Wars : Kenobi (2020)

david75

Announcement for this expected at Star Wars celebration, April 13?

A while ago, we were told by Anthony Breznican that Lucasfilm seemed to be waiting to figure out if the Sequel Trilogy was going to use Obi-Wan before they wanted to greenlight a spin-off. Well, evidently, they didn’t have to wait that long. Your prayers have been answered, Kenobi bros:

Kathleen Kennedy and the rest of Lucasfilm fully intend to make an Obi-Wan movie set between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, with Ewan McGregor in tow.
Of the three projects, this is the one I was told the most about. It should also be noted that our source clarified the following:

I want to emphasize that it’s a movie, singular – not a trilogy.
There was a bit of confusion over this one, since some believed that the character would be getting an entire trilogy to himself because there were three different pitches being developed for the film. However, I’d like to stress that three different pitches do not necessarily denote three different movies – and, in some respect, that may be three more pitches than most other potential Star Wars movies have right now.


Who might be directing the film, you may ask? One potential candidate is someone already familiar with the Galaxy Far, Far Away:

Rogue One’s Gareth Edwards could be returning to the director’s chair, as Kathleen Kennedy was happy with his work on that film [Rogue One].



As of right now, Edwards is taking a well-deserved break from directing after handling the movie that launched the MonsterVerse (2014’s Godzilla) and the first Star Wars spin-off, and when he’ll return to doing another tent-pole is anyone’s guess. Since the movie doesn’t come out until 2020 at the absolute earliest, that gives him more than enough time to come back and even direct a “small” movie in the interim. But even if Edwards does return, our source told us that:
The team of producers and writers are going to be different than Rogue One.
Should this pan out, then one thing I hope for above all else is the possibility of a fight between Obi-Wan and a Krayt Dragon. Seems like it’d fit with how much Edwards loves giant monsters.

Lastly, the source told me that he thinks that an announcement for this one is forthcoming in the next few weeks:

An announcement of an Obi-Wan movie might just be one of the big surprises at Celebration Orlando.
And it’s not just a gut feeling:

This possibility is supported by the existence of a few materials that were made in conjunction with the event.
As it stands, at the end of 2015, there were four movies in the works at Lucasfilm: The Last Jedi and Han Solo in pre-production, Rogue One in production, and The Force Awakens in post-production. At the end of 2016, the same thing could be said with Episode VIII in place of The Force Awakens. It’s entirely possible that they’ll keep this pattern up until The Last Jedi actually comes out.

Osmosis Jones

No real interest in a Kenobi movie. We know what he did before Luke was born, we know what he did from A New Hope onwards, and any adventures he will have apparently had in between just contradict the story of him going into hiding since giving up Luke and Leia.

Agent Coulson

Kenobi's story has basically been covered across all the films not sure I would have interest in this.

Falthyron

It could very well be a solid film, but completely unnecessary, just like Rogue One.

For the film to stand any chance, it needs to have Ewan McGregor, take place far away from Tatooine, and explore Jedi lore/mysticism. Maybe something along the lines of a Jedi Enclave where all Jedi were to retreat to should they come under attack and Kenobi seeks this place out to learn about what happened to any survivors of Order 66. While there, he comes across something significant (that will tie into Luke's search for a Jedi Temple in VII, VIII, IX), but is denied fully investigating the matter. Given the popularity of Darth Vader in Rogue One, I suspect he could be included in this as that would still fit with Vader's lines in A New Hope (I have not felt his presence for a long time). This is vague enough to suggest that they could have met once more since Mustafar and would really tie-up Kenobi's knowledge of Vader being more 'machine now than man' since, technically, he didn't know Vader survived Mustafar and became a cyborg until (we must presume) some news/information reached him between III and IV OR, he met him again in the interim period.

Cold Laser

Falthyron wrote: »

It could very well be a solid film, but completely unnecessary, just like Rogue One.

For the film to stand any chance, it needs to have Ewan McGregor, take place far away from Tatooine, and explore Jedi lore/mysticism. Maybe something along the lines of a Jedi Enclave where all Jedi were to retreat to should they come under attack and Kenobi seeks this place out to learn about what happened to any survivors of Order 66. While there, he comes across something significant (that will tie into Luke's search for a Jedi Temple in VII, VIII, IX), but is denied fully investigating the matter. Given the popularity of Darth Vader in Rogue One, I suspect he could be included in this as that would still fit with Vader's lines in A New Hope (I have not felt his presence for a long time). This is vague enough to suggest that they could have met once more since Mustafar and would really tie-up Kenobi's knowledge of Vader being more 'machine now than man' since, technically, he didn't know Vader survived Mustafar and became a cyborg until (we must presume) some news/information reached him between III and IV OR, he met him again in the interim period.

When is a movie ever "necessary"?

Falthyron

Cold Laser wrote: »

When is a movie ever "necessary"?

If a film is tied to a franchise as being a sequel or part of the same universe and there are questions left unanswered, then a film could be necessary or essential to the overall story of that franchise.

Star Wars began as the story of the Skywalker family. Episodes I-VII have been about the Skywalker family. Rogue One was not, and neither will be Han Solo's film and (presumably) the Kenobi film. The anthology films are not necessary for understanding the original narrative, i.e. the Skywalker story. Furthermore, they don't push that story forward. They are self-contained addendum designed to keep the brand in the public eye while the main storyline is being developed/filmed.

As such, the Kenobi film (much like Rogue One) are unnecessary films. They attempt (and are attempting to) tell a story to those lacking imagination. Much like how we don't need a movie about why Yavin IV was selected as the Rebel base, or which planet provided the bulk of the materials to build the Death Star, or a buddy film involving the creation of Red Squadron.

geecee

Please Disney give us an R rated Kenobi movie!

How about taking place a year or so after Sith and feature a seething/revengeful Vader tracking down the last remaining Jedi in Terminator 1 fashion (with of course Obi Wan as the hero trying and failing to protect the last of the Jedi)

Mr Crispy

It's a big "meh" from me, but I know I'll bloody see it anyway.

david75

Rogue one. Didn't need it. Turned out to be a wonderful addition to the canon.

Han Solo. Don't need it but will probably be a wonderful addition to the canon.

Obi wan kenobi?? Absoloytely need it as it has the most potential to be the most worthwhile story and addition to the canon.

There's so much they can do with the character in terms of developing him, our understanding of Jedi lore and mysticism, and we can finally see the lengths he goes to to protect luke and the family from the many and varied threats of tatooine. And beyond.

It's the film almost every Star Wars fan wants. And with McGregor on board?

Don't lie. You'll be all over it:)

El Duda

So much for 'expanding' the Star Wars universe. So far they haven't managed to make a film that doesn't feature a recurring character, iconic symbol (falcon) or a death star etc... I want to see the Star Wars mythology EXPANDED into something more.Make something new FFS.

Tigger

Just delaying my bobba movie

david75

El Duda wrote: »

So much for 'expanding' the Star Wars universe. So far they haven't managed to make a film that doesn't feature a recurring character, iconic symbol (falcon) or a death star etc... I want to see the Star Wars mythology EXPANDED into something more.Make something new FFS.

We're in for 15 years of Star Wars movies with a significant gap between the saga movies according to the head of Disney and lucasfilm. So you're very soon gonna have a slew of films not dealing with established characters or familiar storylines.

david75

Tigger wrote: »

Just delaying my bobba movie

This is the whole article I copied this from. There's a whole section on the Fett film of you scroll through it. It's still happening apparently.
http://bit.ly/2nA4VZK

Oafley Jones

I'd love if was set just before A New Hope. It'd be a day with Ben as he gets annoyed by young people sitting on his wall. Budget 300 million dollars.

david75

endacl

Osmosis Jones wrote: »

No real interest in a Kenobi movie. We know what he did before Luke was born, we know what he did from A New Hope onwards, and any adventures he will have apparently had in between just contradict the story of him going into hiding since giving up Luke and Leia.

We don't know what he did on his holidays. Kenobi Meets the Inbetweeners?

Win!

david75

Osmosis Jones wrote: »

No real interest in a Kenobi movie. We know what he did before Luke was born, we know what he did from A New Hope onwards, and any adventures he will have apparently had in between just contradict the story of him going into hiding since giving up Luke and Leia.

Did you watch the Rebels episode twin suns? Or read any of the comics he was in? They're awesome. We only have a vague idea what he was up to in the desert for 17 years. There's a huge amount of room and potential for them play in. Really fertile storytelling ground.

Relikk

It's a shame that Rebels tied up the Maul and Kenobi story already, there could have been a nice movie in there somewhere, signing up Ray Park and Ewan McGregor with Maul murdering his way across the galaxy in search of Kenobi. Other than that, I'm struggling to think of what the plot would be for a Kenobi movie apart from the obvious distant guardianship of Luke, which doesn't sound all that appealing.

As much as I love the Obi Wan character and McGregor's portrayal of him (one of the very few highlights of the prequels) I would much rather they make a Vader movie, especially while James Earl Jones is still with us.

david75

Relikk wrote: »

It's a shame that Rebels tied up the Maul and Kenobi story already, there could have been a nice movie in there somewhere, signing up Ray Park and Ewan McGregor with Maul murdering his way across the galaxy in search of Kenobi. Other than that, I'm struggling to think of what the plot would be for a Kenobi movie apart from the obvious distant guardianship of Luke, which doesn't sound all that appealing.

As much as I love the Obi Wan character and McGregor's portrayal of him (one of the very few highlights of the prequels) I would much rather they make a Vader movie, especially while James Earl Jones is still with us.

Well there's two things there that could feature. The moment Obi Wan finds out Anakin didn't actually die and he is in fact Vader, and Vader hunting down the Last of the Jedi and bringing them to Mustafar to be torture me and killed.


I think we're done seeing Vader on screen though. You can't really make a film about him from his perspective and do him justice unless you're gonna go Logan with it and make it 18s. Which Star Wars is unlikely to do

Sad Professor

david75 wrote: »

Well there's two things there that could feature. The moment Obi Wan finds out Anakin didn't actually die and he is in fact Vader, and Vader hunting down the Last of the Jedi and bringing them to Mustafar to be torture me and killed.

What Episode III should have been in other words.

david75

Sad Professor wrote: »

What Episode III should have been in other words.

Well Not really. Prequels were about Anakin becoming Vader. They *should* have done that in one/one and a half films and then spent the remainder showing Vader hunting and killing Jedi. Rather than the way the Jedi were totally neutered of power by pretty much simply being killed by clones. But here we are.

Bacchus

Can't believe the reactions of some people... meh, what do we need a Kenobi movie for, what's the point, there's no story to tell, etc... it's all a bit "too cool for school" if you ask me. Whatever about a terrible trailer coming out and it getting a slating, fine but this is an announcement for a fricking Obi Wan Kenobi movie! There's so much potential for this to be great. Ewan McGregor in a well written Star Wars movie as Obi Wan, what's not to love? How a Star Wars fan can be anything other than excited for this is beyond me.

Looking forward to the humble pie that will be served out in 3 years when we look back on this thread. I'll eat it myself if needs be but I doubt it.

Sad Professor

There's no announcement. This is still just speculation.

I think a Bobba Fett movie is more likely to be next given that we know it was in development at one stage. McGregor was still touting an Obi-wan movie in interviews up until only a couple of weeks ago, so clearly he hasn't been approached yet. The whole idea of an Obi-wan movie depends on his involvement and they won't announce until they've made a deal with him.

david75

Sad Professor wrote: »

There's no announcement. This is still just speculation.

I think a Bobba Fett movie is more likely to be next given that we know it was in development at one stage. McGregor was still touting an Obi-wan movie in interviews up until only a couple of weeks ago, so clearly he hasn't been approached yet. The whole idea of an Obi-wan movie depends on his involvement and they won't announce until they've made a deal with him.

He's also been very pointed about the fact that he isn't touting himself for an Obi Wan film. He's getting bombarded about it in every interview he does. He said at one point he doesn't wanna talk about it anymore 'it makes it look like I'm campaigning Disney to make it and I'm not'.

He's definitely on board and if they are pumping the brakes on Star Wars after Ep 9, the Obi Wan film is the perfect final standalone of the three standalones they planned.

Bacchus

Sad Professor wrote: »

There's no announcement. This is still just speculation.

I think a Bobba Fett movie is more likely to be next given that we know it was in development at one stage. McGregor was still touting an Obi-wan movie in interviews up until only a couple of weeks ago, so clearly he hasn't been approached yet. The whole idea of an Obi-wan movie depends on his involvement and they won't announce until they've made a deal with him.

Whether it's an announcement or anticipation of an announcement... does it make that much of a difference to the feeling towards a Kenobi movie happening?

Funnily enough, I've less interest in a Bobba Fett movie. They more they show of that character the less interesting he becomes. He was a great cult figure in Star Wars but the prequels ruined him completely and I feel that making a movie around him will just further damage his "cool bounty hunter" persona.

I'll also admit, without McGregor onboard I'd be less enthused by a Kenobi movie.

TerrorFirmer

I've almost zero interest in a Han Solo or Fett movie (it's not to say I wouldn't give them a chance but the concepts do not excite me) but I'd love to see an Obi Wan story. There's so much material in between III and IV that, like Rogue One, they could use to greatly enrich the overall franchise experience. It's far more difficult to see how a 'Young Solo' or Boba Fett movie could do the same.

I've no idea what Rebels does with the setup but 95% of the cinema going audience will never have watched that show, so I assume it's only canon until it's not....

david75

So the main panel for Star Wars celebration has just added Hayden Christensen. He'll be appearing along with Ian McDiarmad and Mark Hamill.

All they need is an Obi Wan
http://www.starwars.com/news/hayden-christensen-mark-hamill-and-more-honor-40-years-of-star-wars-at-celebration-orlando

david75

Watch the eyes in the last sentence
https://twitter.com/mcgregor_ewan/status/789530875855835136

Falthyron

No surprise, really. It was only a matter of time before we either had an Obi Wan or Boba Fett Anthology film being developed.

Source: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/obi-wan-kenobi-star-wars-film-planned-director-talks-1030505

Oscar-nominated filmmaker Stephen Daldry is in early talks for the film, which would center on the Jedi Master who has been played by both Alec Guinness and Ewan McGregor.
Stephen Daldry is Star Wars’ new hope.

The Oscar-nominated director behind Billy Elliot and The Hours is in early talks to direct a Star Wars standalone movie centering on Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

Sources say talks are at the earliest of stages and that the project has no script. If a deal makes, Daldry would oversee the development and writing with Lucasfilm brass. It's not known at this stage if Ewan McGregor will reprise his role.

The Obi-Wan Kenobi standalone is one of several projects being developed by Lucasfilm and Disney that fall outside the trilogies telling the saga of the Skywalker family. A Han Solo movie is now in the final stages of shooting under new director Ron Howard and Lucasfilm is also looking at movies featuring Yoda and bounty hunter Boba Fett, among others.

In the original Star Wars trilogy, Kenobi was at first a desert-dwelling and war-weary hermit who later proved to be a wise and powerful warrior, brandishing a light saber. He was briefly a mentor to a young Luke before being cut down by Darth Vader, his former pupil. Alec Guinness played Kenobi, garnering him an Oscar nomination to boot.

The character got star treatment in the George Lucas-directed prequels which told the origin of Vader and his betrayal of Kenobi and the Jedis. McGregor has said he would be open to playing the character again. Sources stress, however, that since there is no script, no actor is attached.

Daldry hails from the theater world and made his feature debut with 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.

He most recently directed episodes of Netflix’s period drama The Crown, which put him into play in this Emmy season.

He is repped by CAA.

As long as Ewan McGregor is playing Obi Wan I am happy. I reckon this will be the best of the Anthology films as it can be spent on character development (rather than origins or demise), it features the same actor (for consistency), and they can go anywhere with it. The Han Solo film will be the biggest disappointment and I don't rate Rogue One except for the last twenty minutes, and even that has its problems. Crucially, they can actually create a scene involving Yoda and Obi Wan (and perhaps Qui Gon Jinn if they really want to be daring!), which would be nice.

Looking forward to this!

OU812

I think Rogue One is the strongest of all the Star Wars movies.

I read somewhere that around the time of R1's production, Tarintino had tweeted that he'd love to write and direct an Obi Wan stand alone movie and McGregor had replied saying he'd be up for it too. Within an hour, both tweets had been deleted.

That's the Obi Wan movie I want to see, anything else is just a middle aged guy in pyjamas wandering around the desert for a couple of years.

david75

Here we go

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/obi-wan-kenobi-star-wars-film-planned-director-talks-1030505

Mr Crispy

Daldry would be a choice out of left-field, but I'd be interested in seeing how it'd work out!

S.M.B.

I wonder will whoever they hire actually be still in control once the films over?

I refuse to get excited about these left field choices any more.

david75

S.M.B. wrote: »

I wonder will whoever they hire actually be still in control once the films over?

I refuse to get excited about these left field choices any more.

That's a bit of a fire sale POV but they know what they're doing. And everyone's wants this film. More than a Han movie certainly.

You might even see Spielberg or Lucas direct this one.

Sad Professor

S.M.B. wrote: »

I wonder will whoever they hire actually be still in control once the films over?

Or whoever they hire just won't be in control in the first place. Daldry seems like a very Mendes-like choice.

johnny_ultimate

Ugh, Daldry. A blander director you'd struggle to find, and I say that knowing Ron Bloody Howard is currently working on galaxies far, far away . (EDIT: actually think I've semi amalgamated Stephens Daldry and Frears in my head )

Definitely seems like Rian Johnson could prove something of an outlier in the modern Star Wars directorial pantheon - Disney seem increasingly insistent on 'safe', indistinct workmen / journeymen for their star franchise.

david75

They've taken some huge director gambles. And both failed. Edwards had to be replaced as did lord and miller. So they get big name directors in to make a great film. Big deal.


Rian Johnson was their biggest gamble. Seems like his film is gonna deliver across the board.

Shakey_jake

Yaaaaaaay : )

Well chuffed!

Vinculus

It's as if a million voices cried out in happiness.

Falthyron

Vinculus wrote: »

It's as if a million voices cried out in happiness.

...and were suddenly silenced by mediocrity and corporate prudence.

:P

Inviere

I really hope McGregor is the only option for this. It'd be great to see him as Kenobi again, particularly with Lucas nowhere near the film.

david75

It'll be him. He wants to do it and it's unimaginable that anyone else would be cast in the role.

FAILSAFE 00

Disney are going to milk Star Wars to death.

I am pretty sure that Obi Wan's cat will have its own film at some point.

Vinculus

This comment from io9 made me laugh.

Maude St. Nubbins
slicetoast
8/17/17 3:31pm

“It’s ****E being from Tatooine! We’re the lowest of the low. The scum of the ****ing Galaxy! The most wretched, miserable, servile, pathetic trash that was ever shat into civilization. Some hate the Empire. I don’t. They’re just ****. We, on the other hand, can’t even be COLONIZED by ****. Can’t even find a decent culture to be colonized BY. We’re ruled by effete assholes. It’s a ****E state of affairs to be in, Biggs, and ALL the fresh air in the world won’t make any ****ing difference!”— Luke Skywalker, aka “Farm Boy”

david75

What if they're making Rey his granddaughter and they do a Hobbit on it?
(The original/old Bilbo telling frodo In the present day, i never told you the whole truth) and have the film start off with Luke sitting Rey down telling her the tale of obi wan (from his journals) and it dissolves into the past and goes from there with luke as narrator?

That would be cool.

Im wondering could we see Liam return as Qui gon force ghost?

We could see Obi wan find out Anakin is alive and is Vader? Could we see Vader hunting Jedi in the purge? (How is it Vader never came looking for obi wan? Is that answered anywhere?)

tigger123

I wonder if the film will cover how Obi Wan came to be a hermit on tattoine.

pixelburp

Yeah, I gotta be honest I'm not totally onboard with this; it's not like there wasn't always the risk Disney would adopt a Scorched Earth policy and wring nostalgia & goodwill from every conceivable corner of the original trilogy. Its weaponised nostalgia and feels like it's only ramping things up at this stage. 


But hey ho, we'll see how it goes. As for the property, I just don't have an interest in the Jedi, it has never been the part of the franchise that held interest or excitement for me so it'll take a helluva trailer & buzz to get me to watch this. Ewan McGregor is a good egg & I'm sure he'll relish the superior script Disney will knock out for him, but ...  meh. ObiWan Kenobi's not that interesting a character *shrug*

Inviere

I'll take this every time over a Han Solo film. Solo was in the right time and the right place with where he sits in the saga, but I've zero interest in his backstory. Kenobi though, I think there's definitely scope where they can creatively add to the saga, and in a non forced, enjoyable way. I'm a sucker for the Jedi, the Sith, the force, the mysticism etc...so it probably explains why I'd prefer this over the Solo film (plus I'm a huge McGregor fan which helps!)

brevity

Get Jim Jarmusch to direct it :pac:

david75

tigger123 wrote: »

I wonder if the film will cover how Obi Wan came to be a hermit on tattoine.

He's simply there to watch over Luke and work on his force abilities.
Just recently finished the book Kenobi, which is no longer canon but is a pretty great story of what he's actually doing and would make a great film.

The comics have him butting heads with uncle Owen who doesn't want him near luke but Obi wan protects them from Jabbas henchmen who come around regularly collecting protection money and water off them.

There's a whole 20 years they can play with so with the right story and script this will be great.

Hrududu

I'm not that bothered about a Han Solo film either but I'd be all over an Obi Wan film. Would also love to see Ewan McGregor be in a good Star Wars. He was such a fan and I always felt bad for him that the prequels were so terrible