“Help Me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You’re My Only Hope.”

Joseph Collins III ‘24, Staff Writer

Star Wars fans are more ecstatic than they ever have been, waiting for years for such a production: The Obi-Wan Kenobi TV show. This show has been rumored for a long time and many fans accepted that it was purely a fantasy. From it first being a movie, to then possibly a TV show, the confirmation of this show will relieve massive anxiety for Star Wars fans everywhere. Ewan McGregor is reprising his iconic role as Obi-Wan Kenobi from the Star Wars Prequel movies. Additionally, it has been confirmed that Hayden Christianson will be returning as Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader. The show is being directed by Deborah Chow, who worked on episodes from Season 1 of The Mandalorian. With a release date set for May 25th, 2022 on Disney Plus, and six episodes confirmed for the show, here is everything we know so far.

Set in 9 BBY or 9 years Before the Battle of Yavin, which is the time frame used in the Star Wars universe, the show will focus on Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi in exile on the desert planet of Tatooine. The show follows 10 years after the events of Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, where Obi-Wan witnessed the downfall of the Galactic Republic, the massacre of his fellow Jedi, and the corrupted downfall of his apprentice and best friend, Anakin Skywalker, who was reborn as the evil Sith Lord Darth Vader. After their duel in which Obi-Wan was victorious, he left a maimed and defeated Anakin for dead; however, he was saved by his master Emperor Palpatine and survived. Having failed to fully defeat the Sith, Obi-Wan went into exile on Tatooine and took on the responsibility of keeping a watchful eye on Anakin’s son, Luke Skywalker. Luke meets Obi-Wan in Episode IV: A New Hope, where Obi-Wan has become an old hermit, and he offers to train Luke to become the next Jedi.

So far, the actual content of the show is ambiguous as Disney and Star Wars are working hard to prevent plot leaks. What we do know are the actions or inaction Obi-Wan took during his years in exile. The only thing we know that Kenobi did, and who knows if this will be retconned by the series, is that he learned the ancient Jedi technique of becoming a Force Ghost. A Force Ghost is when a Jedi can project their consciousness after they have died. Any other details or potential stories to be told are left to the viewers’ imaginations. To see what the show fully entails, we will likely have to wait and see.

While very little is confirmed about the show and what it will focus on, there are many theories from fans that have been floating around social media. The return of Liam Neeson’s Qui-Gon Gin as a Force Ghost is perhaps the most popular fan theory about the show so far. Other characters rumored to be in the show are Senator Bail Organa, the Grand Inquisitor, and perhaps a young Princess Leia Organa. A potential confrontation between Obi-Wan and Vader is rumored as well. It will be interesting to see if some of these fan theories actually happen.

While this show is a dream come true for many fans, some are cautiously optimistic. So far Disney Plus’s Star Wars content was met with widespread praise. The Mandalorian Seasons 1 and 2 were arguably some of the best Star Wars related content ever made. Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 7 was seen as a satisfying ending to a cut-short series from many fans’ childhoods. The first season of The Book of Boba Fett was met with mixed reviews, but fans still found the show to be enjoyable. Overall, Disney Plus’s Star Wars track record keeps high hopes for the show.

Bonus Fun Fact: The release date of the show, May 25th, 2022 is significant as it is the 45th anniversary of the original Star Wars movie in 1977.