The internet community has been so busy parsing over possible spoilers for J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: Episode VII, we barely have had a moment to contemplate the spinoff movies that are meant to alternate between chapters of the developing trilogy. There have been indications that the standalone solo movies on the Star Wars map would involve Han Solo, Boba Fett, Yoda and/or Obi-Wan Kenobi. But what if the plans for those characters were much larger than anticipated?
Treat this with a grain of salt, as the reporting Web site doesn’t have a proven track record, but it is being reported by Cinelinx that Disney and LucasFilms are moving forward with a trilogy of Obi-Wan Kenobi films that would be set between Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. That covers a lot of ground in Ben Kenobi’s life, and is a ripe period to explore. The source for the site does emphasize, though, that these are not interconnected stories forming a massive trilogy, but rather three standalone films built around Obi-Wan’s character.
Here’s where things get interesting. The site goes on to note that:
- One of the films will be set "completely on Tatooine."
- Two other films will involve Obi-Wan "travel[ing] elsewhere in the Galaxy."
- Liam Neeson’s character, Qui-Gon Jinn is "very much present in these stories," though it’s unclear if Neeson would return to play the Jedi master. Owen Lars also is a major factor, as are "several characters from the Clone Wars T.V show." There also likely would be multiple flashbacks to Obi-Wan Kenobi fighting in the Clone Wars.
Is this possible? Absolutely. Obi-Wan continues to be one of the most popular figures in Star Wars lore, especially with a younger generation who knows the hero from the Prequel Trilogy (as played by Ewan McGregor) and the animated Star Wars: Clone Wars series. It would make sense to appeal to this next wave of Star Wars fans by giving them a hero to which they’ve already connected. In a weird way, Obi-Wan and Anakin likely have larger followings than Han and Luke, at least in a certain important demographic.
The question comes down to casting. If you are picking up after Episode III for these movies, and bridging to A New Hope, do you try to lure McGregor back to the role? Do you recast? And who do you get? Cinelinx says a solo Kenobi movie is happening, but they hedge their bets on the full trilogy. Do you like the idea? Why or why not?
