Fans of Star Wars have been pleading—no, begging—for a programme or film that would examine the life of Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and explain what he was doing between the events of Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. While opinions on the prequel trilogy have fluctuated somewhat among Star Wars devotees, both admirers and detractors appear to agree that Ewan McGregor’s portrayal of Obi-Wan Kenobi was a technically excellent take on the character and that he was the only one who could fill Alec Guinness’s shoes.
Obi-Wan Kenobi has now arrived on Disney+ after a lengthy wait (and a few hours early at that). Most Star Wars fans would probably consider McGregor’s involvement to be more than enough, but to put the cherry on top, he’ll also be bringing some well-known allies and foes. Here is a quick guide to the friends, foes, and those in-between who will be joining this dark galactic adventure. They will be joined by some new characters to fall in love with or completely fear.
Remember that the following details are drawn from the first two broadcast episodes as well as previously published shows and films. Obi-Wan Kenobi will be discussed without significant spoilers, but keep in mind that this will reveal some small facts and could reveal plot points from earlier Star Wars television shows and movies.
Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi
What’s this? If that weren’t hard enough to accept, the actor who played the wise Jedi Master all those years ago is now playing Obi-Wan Kenobi in the programme. Even though Ewan McGregor was already regarded as a superb actor before his involvement in Trainspotting, any actor would consider it a role of a lifetime to be cast as an established character in one of the most successful franchises ever created.
Obi-Wan Like the majority of Jedi, Kenobi began his training as a young Padawan. Kenobi was a student, on his path to becoming a master himself, under the supervision of Master Qui-Gon Jinn. When Qui-Gon was fatally wounded by Darth Maul, that day unfortunately arrived far sooner than intended, and in his dying breath, Kenobi made a promise to train the young Tatooine force-sensitive youngster. That boy was Anakin Skywalker, and as their friendship enabled them to survive the horrors of the Clone Wars, their relationship grew closer to that of brothers than that of a teacher and pupil. But despite how close they were, nothing could stop Anakin from turning to the dark side and becoming Darth Vader, so Kenobi was compelled to scar and mutilate his best friend.
Obi-Wan The intention is for Kenobi to fill in the blanks of what transpired after Vader’s ascent, but long after the newly established Empire exterminated the Jedi, the once-great teacher settled as a meek recluse on his former pupil’s home planet of Tatooine. He promised to watch over and protect Luke Skywalker until he was prepared for training himself, therefore his goal there went beyond exile. Fate brought Kenobi and Vader together once more, but this time, Vader emerged victorious. Even after his death, Kenobi is still able to help Luke and direct him toward rehabilitating his former pupil by using the force.
Hayden Christensen as Darth Vader
Even while Hayden Christensen has received criticism from some fans and critics for some awkward dialogue and line readings, it’s impossible to dispute that his physicality, especially in Revenge of the Sith, is genuinely terrifying. In fact, that’s the one word that sums up Darth Vader the best. Vader was formerly a young lad named Anakin Skywalker, an upbeat tech-head who was being held as a slave on Tatooine before becoming “the most despised man in the galaxy.”
The Jedi Council grudgingly accepted the boy into their order after Qui-Gon Jinn believed he might be the awaited “chosen one.” Anakin eventually rose to become one of the Order’s most admired and renowned Jedi Knights, but it didn’t stop him from acting haughtily and occasionally departing from his principles. When he eloped with Padme Amidala, his one and only love, he broke one of those rules by forgetting about love. The hidden Sith Lord Darth Sidious, also known as Chancellor Palpatine, told Anakin that he would be able to keep Padme alive using the Force when he started to get visions of her demise. This notion served as the impetus for his conversion to the evil side, and he executed every Jedi in their revered temple by himself.
His master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, confronted him after this heinous act of genocide, and he was then dissected, burned alive, and left for dead. However, Sidious discovered him and saved him by giving him a machine-like appearance. Now known as Darth Vader, this murderous machine’s only objective was to spread horror and fear throughout the galaxy. He developed a reputation as the most evil and dangerous person in the universe, but when he discovered that his son was still alive, the seeds of his eventual redemption were instantly planted.
Jimmy Smits as Senator Bail Organa
Jimmy Smits, the star of In the Heights, may not have played the most important part in the prequel trilogy, but by adopting the recently orphaned Leia, he still played a crucial role in preserving the galaxy. In the Clone Wars, Bail fiercely defended the Republic and swiftly denounced the Empire’s homicidal coup. Bail has always been on the side of good.
Organa taught his adopted daughter these values of peace and tolerance after Padme died, emphasising the value of politics when practical and more drastic action when necessary. Since his brief cameo in Rogue One, which canonically occurred just days before the destruction of his home planet of Alderaan, Bail has made several appearances. This isn’t the first time.
Joel Edgerton and Bonnie Piesse as Owen and Beru Lars
Joel Edgerton (The Gift) and Bonnie Piesse (Love Eterne) are also returning as Luke Skywalker’s adored aunt and uncle, joining McGregor and Christensen as prequel actors playing Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Owen gained a lot of compassion from his father, Lars, who freed a slave after falling in love and marrying Shmi Skywalker, despite the fact that they were not blood relatives. As a result, Anakin becomes a member of Lars’ step-family; but, since he had no desire to go back to Tatooine after Shmi passed away, Anakin never really bonded with his new relatives. In contrast to his upbeat wife Beru, who wanted young Luke to stay away from the Jedi and their antiquated weaponry after Order 66 wiped them out, Owen was practically resentful of the Jedi.
Kumail Nanjiani as Haja Estree
Kumail Nanjiani, who played a new character in The Big Sick, brings his contagious comedic charm to the Star Wars criminal underworld. Haja Estree makes the assertion when first introduced that he is a strong renegade Jedi who aids people in leaving the planet and escaping Imperial occupation—for a fee. Obi-Wan swiftly realises that Estree is a con artist who deceived people into believing he was Force-sensitive by using cunning techniques and deception.
That’s not to say he’s a cruel thief, though, for he keeps his word and helps them flee the Empire, even going so far as to help Obi-Wan and Leia, despite the fact that they undoubtedly need the money more than he does. When will we next see him? Who knows, but he has already established himself as a gold-hearted smuggler who is somewhat similar to someone else we know.
Moses Ingram as Reva/the Third Sister
Moses Ingram, who played Reva in The Tragedy of Macbeth, is one of the few new faces in a cast filled to the brim with well-known actors. Unusually, the Third Sister distinguishes out among her Inquisitor peers by using her own name, a practise that the others had ostensibly abandoned in their conversions to the dark side.
As a former Jedi who was subjected to harsh interrogations by Vader and Sidious, Reva likely has a similar background to them. However, the fact that she is addressed by her name suggests that she may be unique from the others. She will play a significant role in Obi-story Wan’s regardless of whether this portends a potential turn back to the light side.
Rupert Friend as the Grand Inquisitor
The Grand Inquisitor, a significant enemy from Star Wars Rebels, is one of the Sith enemies pursuing Kenobi in addition to Darth Vader. Rupert Friend, who also starred in the animated film Death of Stalin with Jason Isaacs, will play the Jedi hunter in the live-action adaptation.
Even Vader, who is extremely powerful, cannot be everywhere at once. Thus, the Inquisitors—a group of Force-sensitive individuals primarily made up of former Jedi who had been tortured and brainwashed by the Empire—were born. The Grand Inquisitor is the closest thing to a boss these vicious Jedi murders have; they report directly to Vader. The Grand Inquisitor has earned his position by being fiercely loyal to (and deathly scared of) the dreadful Dark Lord of the Sith. Little is known about his origins other than the fact that he was a former Jedi Temple Guard.
Sung Kang as the Fifth Brother
The Fifth Brother, played by Sung Kang, is present when we first meet the Third Sister. You may recognise Kang from his role as Han Seoul-Oh in the Fast and Furious series, despite the fact that he is essentially unrecognisable in the show.
Little is known about the Fifth Brother’s past, other than the fact that he was once a Jedi who turned to the evil side. The Fifth Brother is far less vicious than the Third Sister, preferring to provide rewards for information instead of threatening to dismember victims like his compatriot.
Vivien Lyra Blair as Princess Leia Organa
Luke Skywalker would at the very least make a fleeting appearance in the series, but many fans were taken aback to learn that Leia will play a considerably bigger role.
Leia would later follow in the footsteps of her mother Padme as a steadfast political activist and opponent of the Imperial government, despite the fact that she is just a young child at the time Obi-Wan takes place. She rose to prominence as a figurehead and leader for the Rebellion and eventually the Resistance, serving as a similar beacon of hope to Luke. Obi-goal Wan’s to save Mara from the Inquisitors is much more crucial given her significance in the struggle for freedom in the galaxy, and he probably wouldn’t forgive himself if he failed.
Even while Hayden Christensen has received criticism from some fans and critics for some awkward dialogue and line readings, it’s impossible to dispute that his physicality, especially in Revenge of the Sith, is genuinely terrifying. In fact, that’s the one word that sums up Darth Vader the best. Vader was formerly a young lad named Anakin Skywalker, an upbeat tech-head who was being held as a slave on Tatooine before becoming “the most despised man in the galaxy.”
