One ofObi-Wan Kenobi’s writers recently revealed his scrapped plans for an Obi-Wan-centric film trilogy, which included ideas that could have been game-changing for the franchise.Obi-Wan Kenobihas been one ofStar Wars’ most influential characterssince the beginning. As an inextricable player in the Skywalker saga, it was only a matter of time before Lucasfilm made him the focus of a movie, or, as it later panned out, a TV show. Plenty of ideas had been bandied around before, butwriter Stuart Beattie originally approached Lucasfilm with an idea for an entire movie trilogy.
During an interview with YouTuberStar Wars Theory, Beattie revealed his core concept: Obi-Wan and Vader had to have met betweenStar Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sithand the firstStar Warsfilm, later retitledA New Hope. Dialogue inReturn of the Jedisupports his theory – at one point, Vader tells Luke that Obi-Wan once thought he could be redeemed too, but this was never covered in the prequel trilogy.So when did Vader and Obi-Wan meet, and how did that affect his journey as a Jedi?
Unfortunately, after the relative failure ofSolo: A Star Wars Story, Lucasfilm decided that movies focused on characters we know will survive aren’t workable. Once Disney+ arrived on the scene, only a year later, Lucasfilm pivoted its strategy towards creating live-action TV series.The bare bones of Beattie’s story treatment were used for theObi-Wan Kenobishowinstead.
Obi-Wan’s Movie Trilogy Would’ve Been Game-Changing For Star Wars
In Beattie’s original concept, Obi-Wan is in a much darker place than he appears to be inObi-Wan Kenobi. Beattie argued thatObi-Wan would have been weighed down by his guilt, infecting his two most important relationships: his relationship with the Force and his relationship with Luke Skywalker. In this version of the story, Obi-Wan would not have kept a watchful eye on Luke from afar; instead, he moves in with the Lars family, training Luke from a young age.
Then, when Luke is four years old, it’s clear that the training isn’t going well. Obi-Wan is frustrated, and he’s lost his connection with the Force. This story is about Obi-Wan learning that forcing someone, namely Luke, to connect with the Force is impossible. He needs to learn to trust himself and the Force once more – he has to let go, take a step back, and trust the Force to bring Luke back to him when the time is right. That’s whereA New Hopecomes in.
Before Luke can be reunited with Old Ben, though, Obi-Wan has to face his demons. The plot finally kicks off when the Empire arrives on Tatooine. Clone Commander Cody has reconnected with Obi-Wan, and various hilarious shenanigans involving the Sarlacc pit occur, but the Empire discovers Obi-Wan is on Tatooine, and he is forced to flee. He ends up on a space station with refugees, all of whom are being held prisoner by a corrupt administrator.
These refugees have their own connection to the Force – though they may not call it that, just as otherStar Warscultures have been known to give the Force a different name – and they teach Obi-Wan an important lesson about Luke’s destiny. Obi-Wan has a vision in which he sees himself confronting a dark figure on Mustafar. Though he surmises it must be Vader, it turns out to be 19-year-old Mark Hamill instead, and Obi-Wan realizes he’s pushing Luke down a dark path.
Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Complete Star Wars Timeline Explained
Obi-Wan Kenobi is one of the most recognizable characters in Star Wars, meaning he also has an extensive timeline within the franchise.
Vader has tracked Obi-Wan down to the space station, and they are the last two figures there as it falls into a gas giant. They duel, Obi-Wan still slashes Vader’s mask and his eyes, and he says he believes there’s still good in him – everything in Beattie’s story leads up to that moment. In the end, Obi-Wan manages to escape. Interestingly, Reva is there, too (though she isn’t mentioned anywhere else in the interview), and claims to have killed him. Vader, angry that he wasn’t the one to kill Obi-Wan, kills her instead, and she dies with the knowledge that she saved Obi-Wan’s life.
Would This Obi-Wan Kenobi Plot Have Worked?
It’s an interesting glimpse at what could have been. Many viewers, myself included, have found issues with the finalObi-Wan Kenobiproduct, arguing that it was too slow, too focused on his relationship with Leia, and that it took too much from otherStar Warsstories (the escape sequence at the Inquisitors’ Fortress is very reminiscent ofStar Wars Jedi: Fallen Order’s climax). Obi-Wan’s dynamic with Luke in Beattie’s script is undeniably compelling, as is his fractured relationship with the Force.
It’s unclear whether the summary Beattie provided covered the first movie in the trilogy or all three.
Though aspects of this script are genuinely exciting, some of it feels like forced fan service. Commander Cody’s presence seems to have no real influence on the narrative, his character is relegated to an unnecessary B-plot, and Beattie’s use of the Sarlacc pit to regularly dispose of bodies undercuts the harrowing nature of Jabba’s punishment inReturn of the Jedi. These issues could, of course, have been addressed later if the project had been given the green light, but we’ll never know for sure.
While Obi-Wan may not have pushed Luke down a dark path inObi-Wan Kenobi, he was still forced to contend with his guilt and splintered connection to the Force.
While Obi-Wan may not have pushed Luke down a dark path inObi-Wan Kenobi, he was still forced to contend with his guilt and splintered connection to the Force. GivenStar Wars: The Clone Wars’focus onForce Ghosts, I personally believe it made more sense for Obi-Wan’s frustration to be linked to his inability to connect to the Force in that specific way. All in all, it’s impossible to say whether Beattie’s version of the story would have handled Obi-Wan’s journey better than what we eventually got inObi-Wan Kenobi.
Source:Star Wars Theory
Obi-Wan Kenobi
The Padawan of Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi became a Jedi Knight after his master’s death. Obi-Wan trained Anakin Skywalker as a Jedi, with his own apprentice knighted after the Battle of Geonosis. The Jedi Master became a key player in the Jedi during the Clone Wars, and was heartbroken when Anakin turned to the dark side; Obi-Wan critically wounded Anakin before taking to the shadows, watching over the young Luke and Leia for years. He sacrificed himself for his two charges, becoming a Force Ghost and continuing to mentor them.
Cast
Obi-Wan Kenobi: Set during the reign of the Galactic Empire, the narrative follows former Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi as he undertakes a pivotal mission to reconcile with former allies turned adversaries while confronting the formidable forces of the Empire.
