Things are moving forward with ‘Obi-Wan: A Star Wars Story’. Stephen Daldry was said to be in talks to direct and according to a new production bulletin from Lucasfilm, which fell into the hands of TMZ, it appears that he has officially landed the job. Daldry has spent the last few years executive producing and directing Netflix’s ‘The Crown’ and his past film work is heavy on dramas– ‘The Hours’, ‘Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close’, ‘Billy Elliot’ both the film and the stage adaptation. He has also been linked to direct the film adaptation of ‘Wicked’.
Fans should not expect a ‘Solo’ scenario, which chronicles the main character’s adventures from many years before audiences were first introduced to him in ‘A New Hope’. Instead, the ‘Obi Wan’ movie will take place following the prequels, in which Ewan McGregor played the role, and ‘A New Hope’ in which Sir Alec Guinness immortalized it.
Here is the synopsis which was presumably paraphrased by TMZ:
Obi-Wan is on Tatooine being an elusive hermit and stuff, but secretly watches over an infant Luke Skywalker, whom he delivered to his uncle, Owen. Tensions between the local farmers and a tribe of Sand People — headed by a ruthless war chief — eventually brings Obi outta hiding … and into Jedi kickass mode.
Production is expected to begin next spring at the familiar Lucasfilm sets in London.
Ewan McGregor has expressed interest in reviving his role from the prequels, which would work since a few years have passed and he is older– maybe not as old Guinness in ‘A New Hope’ but if they can shave off decades from Peter Cushing/Grand Moff Tarkin and Carrie Fisher/Princess Leia, they can add a few to McGregor. Fans have certainly voiced their support for his return, but it remains to be seen if Daldry and the others putting this film together will pursue that or seek to cast a new actor in the role.
Does the idea of an ‘Obi Wan’ movie set between the prequels and ‘A New Hope’ sound intriguing to you? Would you like to see Ewan McGregor return or should a new actor be given a shot?
