By: Jia Jarin
We have exciting news for our Star Wars fans and gifted galaxy defenders of the Force! Grab on to your lightsabers because the cast and crew members of Disney’s Obi-Wan Kenobi mini-series expressed their interest to continue the story of the fan-favorite Jedi master beyond its first season.
With 6 episodes, the limited series aired its finale on Disney+ last June which made its audiences eager for more Star Wars material. While plans and details for a season 2 have yet to be officially announced, writer Stuart Beattie shared with The Direct his original pitch for what was supposed to be the second installment for the Obi-Wan Kenobi trilogy before it became a mini-series.
Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi. Photo by Disney+.
According to Beattie, the second film would center on Kenobi’s journey as he accepts his fate of sacrificing himself for the common good— an act he did do in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. The writer expressed that coming to terms with our own mortality may be a good area to explore as it is one of the universal things that everyone struggles with.
Beattie said to The Direct: “That was the second step of the evolution for me, that Obi-Wan now has to come to terms with his own mortality, somehow in a prophecy, or Qui-Gon telling him, ‘There’s going to come a moment where you’re gonna have to sacrifice yourself for the good,’ And then [Obi-Wan] is like, ‘What? No, no, no, no, I’m here to help… I can’t, no.’ And get him to that point where Obi Wan has accepted the idea that he’s going to die, and that he’s going to die willingly at a crucial moment, and you will know when that moment presents itself. So that when that moment comes up in [A New Hope], you understand. He’s recognizing he’s been on this journey already, and he’s waiting for this moment, and that’s how he’s able to make it so easily,” He then continued: “So that to me was the second evolution, the second film, the second story. So for me, if I have anything to do with the second season of Obi Wan, that’s the character evolution that I would take him on. That, to me, is really interesting. And like I said, universal.”
Executive producer Kathleen Kennedy also recently shared the possibilities of a sequel with Entertainment Tonight: “It’s certainly something we talk about, mainly because everybody came together and had such an incredible time. So certainly from that point of view, everybody involved would love to see this not end… I think if there’s huge engagement and people really want more Obi-Wan, we’ll certainly give that consideration because the fans, they speak to us. And if we feel like, ‘OK, there’s a real reason to do this; it’s answering the why then,’ then we’ll do it.”
Ewan McGregor, who reprised his role as Kenobi, expressed his support for future seasons as well. Before the release of the final episode, he said in an interview with British GQ: “I really hope we do another,” and “If I could do one of these every now and again — I’d just be happy about it.”
(L-R) Darth Vader, Reva, and Obi Wan Kenobi. Photo from Disney.
Darth Vader actor Hayden Christensen also told Radio Times that there is still so much more to play with as the iconic villain of the beloved franchise: “I would love to continue with this character. You know, I think there’s certainly more there to explore and I would be so excited to get to do so.”
As further updates on Season 2 have yet to be released, fans can anticipate the premiere of Star Wars: Andor in August 2022 and The Madalorian season 3 in February 2023.
All episodes of Obi-Wan Kenobi are now available to stream on Disney+.
What are your thoughts on Obi-Wan Kenobi and its final episode? Share your opinions and theories with us in the comments section below!