Why Obi-Wan Kenobi Deserves His Own Trilogy

Last week, Cinelinx reported rumors that Disney/Lucasfilm are possibly in talks to develop a trio of Star Wars films centered on Obi-Wan Kenobi set between Episodes III and IV. Further info came in that the proposed trilogy will NOT be:

…part of a story arc but 3 separate Obi-Wan adventures…

Let me tell you why, whether a connected series or not, these movies MUST happen.

Nevermind the fact that Obi-Wan is one of the most popular SW characters and has been since the premiere of A New Hope back in 1977. Nevermind the fact that so little is known about the time period between Revenge of the Sith and ANH. What’s most important here is the sheer complexity and downright mysterious of Obi-Wan himself.

Let’s face it: after six movies, a TV show, and numerous novels and comics, we still have only barely scratched the surface of Obi-Wan as a character. Ninety-eight percent (a rough estimate) of the “screen time” he was given revolved around Anakin or Luke. Very little about his own adventures or even his time before becoming Knighted was made widely available to those who didn’t have easy access to the novels (now considered non-canon). Basically, if you could only watch the movies or TV show you were screwed.

But this rumor centers on tales of Obi-Wan during the Dark Times, after the end of the Clone Wars and before Luke was forced from Tatooine. Even more reason that this trilogy NEEDS to happen.

What must it have been like for Obi-Wan when the Republic he had defended became the Empire? What about the crushing guilt and helplessness he must have felt as he made his way to Tatooine with newborn Luke? After being warned away from the Lars farm by Owen, did he have any interactions with Luke as he grew up? Did he manage to keep in contact with Bail Organa? If so, did he know much about Leia and how she fared growing up in such a different environment from Luke?

And aside from everything on Tatooine, what did he do in the meantime? I for one absolutely refuse to believe that he just stayed out there in the Wastes, or even solely on Tatooine, for twenty years. Someone like Obi-Wan doesn’t do well in one place for too long. Sure, he could if absolutely necessary, but that doesn’t make much sense. Since Luke isn’t in his direct care, the “he needed to stay to protect Luke” doesn’t fly with me. Thankfully, another part of this rumor is that two of the films would center on off-planet action, something that would wholly fit within Obi-Wan’s characterization. Remember, even though the Order no longer exists he still holds to his Jedi teachings and his long-ingrained sense of helping others when he can.

Oh, and (SPOILER FOR THE SON OF DATHOMIR COMIC) Maul’s still knocking around somewhere. So a final showdown between those two would be absolute gold to see on the big screen.

What gives this rumor even more credence is actually another rumor: Ewan McGregor is meeting with Disney for something. In a world where two plus two equals four, I’ll let you do the math on that.

There is so much to explore about Obi-Wan Kenobi away from Anakin and Luke that the only way it would be possible is with at least three movies. Anything less just wouldn’t cut it. The trilogy doesn’t need to be an overarching tale rife with complexities and tangled webs; three separate stories that can easily stand alone would be just fine. And as long as Disney doesn’t try to shoehorn another romance in there (like The Clone Wars series tried to do with Satine -blegh-), then this Obi-Wan fanatic will be thrilled with pretty much anything!

Now, GET ON THIS, DISNEY!