Obi-Wan Kenobi series rumors hint at what could be a key plot point

Of all of the projects currently in the works at Lucasfilm – and there are a lot! – the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi series just might be the most anticipated of them all, which is saying a lot.

The limited series, which is currently filming, features the return of Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen to the Star Wars franchise after their starring roles in the prequel trilogy many years ago. Plot details are very sparse, but it sure does sound like it’ll feature a rematch between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader.

Recently, Cinelinx’s Jordan Maison reported some other intriguing details about the story. This should be taken with a grain of salt, as this is all just rumors at this point, but it is worth noting that Maison was the first one to actually break the news about McGregor’s return to the franchise, which was very quickly followed by the major trades all reporting the same. So in light of that, and in light of the fact that Maison seems pretty selective in what he reports, I thought it’s worth at least mentioning the rumors here.

Here are the main takeaways from Maison’s recent article on Cinelinx about Kenobi details:

• Maison reports that Vivien Lyra Blair has been cast as a young Leia Organa, and he writes that, “I can tell you Leia is a part of Kenobi in a big way. In fact, from what I’ve heard, the stuff dealing with Leia is pretty much the impetus for the whole show and what gets Obi-Wan (Ben) into another adventure.”
• Sung Kang was officially announced as being part of the cast, and Maison reports that Kang is playing an Inquisitor – specifically, the Fifth Brother (who first appeared in Rebels).
• Maison reports that “there seem to be quite a few Inquisitors (including another we’ve seen before)”
• He writes, “yes there will be plenty of Clone Wars flashbacks that feature a certain apprentice”
• Finally, Maison reports that Obi-Wan Kenobi will be coming in spring 2022, even before Andor.

One other thing to note from Maison’s report is that he writes that the show is set 9-10 years before Star Wars Rebels – but I’m not sure if he’s actually reporting that or if he just misspoke (which happens). What we’ve been told officially is that the show happens around ten years after the events of Revenge of the Sith, so it’s possible that’s what Maison means. This would actually all fit IF he’s meaning it takes place around 9-10 years before the ending of Rebels, but that would basically be very close to saying it takes place 9-10 years before the events of A New Hope. If it’s set sometime earlier during the run of Rebels (which spanned several years in-universe), it wouldn’t fit as well. Anyway, this isn’t a big deal, but just wanted to note this in case Maison was reporting something contrary to what we’ve heard officially. I’m guessing it was just a bit complex and inadvertent.

Regarding the other information Maison reported, there’s a part of it that isn’t surprising at all. I think we’ve all assumed that the Inquisitors are going to play a role, and my guess is that Moses Ingram is playing one as well. Maison mentioned that there’s a couple of familiar Inquisitors whom we already know, and he also reported that the Fifth Brother will be in it! We first saw him in Rebels, so it would be really cool to see him in live-action! I think it’d be great to see him, so long as he’s one of a number of Inquisitors and not the only one.

We also have assumed (and hoped) that there would be Clone Wars flashbacks, and with the casting of Hayden Christensen, even though he is listed as Darth Vader, I think most people expect him to play Anakin as well in flashbacks. That’s something I’m TOTALLY down for and actually what I’ve been hoping to see as long as this project has been rumored (for years): seeing Obi-Wan and Anakin in flashbacks to the War. But Maison hints that a certain apprentice will appear as well. It’s very possible that he means Anakin, and I’m actually guessing that is what he means… but it’s also possible that we could see Ahsoka Tano. She’s already been brought to live-action in The Mandalorian, and if this show is going to give us flashbacks to the Clone Wars with Obi-Wan and Anakin, it would be amazing to see Ahsoka too. If that’s what Maison means it’s a bit strange that he wouldn’t actually report that, as it’s big information that’s worth reporting if he actually knows it enough to hint at it – which is why at this point I’m guessing he means Anakin. But I wouldn’t be too surprised if Ahsoka appears in the series either.

The biggest note from his report, though, is that a young Leia Organa will feature prominently. Maison says she’s already been cast and will be the impetus for the whole series. Now, on the one hand, it’s implied in A New Hope and the Leia novel that Leia hasn’t actually met Ben Kenobi before, but I suppose that could be worked around. Looking at the big picture, then, I actually think this would make a lot of sense and would likely ease the main concern many have about the series. While being incredibly highly anticipated, some fans nonetheless have some apprehension: why in the galaxy would Obi-Wan Kenobi leave Tatooine when he’s there to protect Luke? That’s my biggest question about the show too, and the biggest uncertainty I have about how this story will work out. In other words, I want it to be a very compelling reason if Obi-Wan is going to leave his exile for a time. Another attempt to save Anakin might do that. But perhaps even more would protecting Leia. I could see Leia coming in danger, by nature of being the daughter of the known rebel sympathizer and Senator Bail Organa, and that pulling Kenobi back into the fight. While that would have to be done delicately to protect what we already know from canon, I actually think that’s a legitimate and compelling reason for Ben to leave Luke for a time. After all, he’d still be focused on protecting Anakin Skywalker’s kids – just this time, he’d have to look after the stronger one for a change.

If this does wind up happening, I’m totally on board. I think this sounds fantastic, and I can’t wait to see where this series goes. Maison says that it’s coming spring of 2022, which is earlier than I’d been expecting, so it’s possible that we’ll be seeing the return of Obi-Wan Kenobi sooner than later. I can’t wait!