Obi-Wan Kenobi was released on Disney Plus and fans went wild with each episode as if it was Game of Thrones all over again. Despite this fun side of being a fan, many may not know the challenges that come with being on the other side, as writer Andrew Stanton explained.
Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi takes place between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. It shows Obi-Wan in hiding and broken down from the guilt of what transpired during Star Wars: Episode III. The show explores how Obi-Wan went from a low point to becoming the much more patient, positive, and wiser version that fans meet in Star Wars: Episode IV. This format ended up working really well despite this not being the original plan for Obi-Wan Kenobi.
The show does a great job of keeping continuity. Having Obi-Wan encounter Darth Vader multiple times and establishing a familial relationship with Princess Leia makes Star Wars: Episode IV even more emotional. Unfortunately, it wasn't easy, as Stanton revealed to Gizmodo. "It’s like one, you’re geeking out that you get to type ‘Vader says’ this and ‘Kenobi says’ that. You pause and say ‘I can’t believe I’m actually getting paid to type this. I can’t believe these words may be said,'" Stanton recalled. "But then another part of you, it has to go through such a rigorous like ‘Does that fit the canon?’ And I feel like it’s bittersweet. [The reason that happens is] because people care, but it also kind of doesn’t allow, sometimes, things to venture beyond where maybe they should to tell a better story. So it can sometimes really handicap what I think are better narrative options."
Telling a compelling story while also staying true to the nine episodic Star Wars films that were already released can be very trying. "And so I was frustrated sometimes - not a lot - but I just felt it wasn’t as conducive to [the story]," Stanton admitted. "So I love it when something like Andor is in a safe spot. And it can just do whatever the heck it wants [...] I got some moments in there that I’m very happy with." Fortunately, the Obi-Wan Kenobi series was received relatively well, with Moses Ingram as arguably one of the best characters in that show. Ingram's performance was delivered so well that it became infuriating to see the number of racists come out to attack her.
Fortunately, the Obi-Wan Kenobi saga looks wrapped up, so Stanton may not have to go through a similar vigorous writing process now that Star Wars may continue to focus on original storylines and characters. The Mandalorian is set to get another season and Ahsoka is also getting her own storyline, but recent revelations show that Ewan McGregor is confident in Obi-Wan Kenobi season 2 happening down the road.
Obi-Wan Kenobi is currently streaming on Disney Plus.
Source: Gizmodo
