Residents Around The 'Obi-Wan Kenobi' Set Concerned About How The Shooting Of The Series Could Disrupt Rural Life
(Construction on the massive set in Little Marlow)
Star Wars fans were ecstatic when Disney executives first announced the development of the Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi series at the D23 convention in August 2019 and could hardly wait for production to begin. However, the residents of Little Marlow, United Kingdom feel differently as construction vehicles travel down the highway, moving supplies and materials to their quaint little town.
Filming is scheduled to begin in March 2021 in this small village located roughly 30 miles west of London. Construction of the massive set has already begun inside an abandoned quarry in Little Marlow. Pictures taken by drone showed erections of sets and support buildings for the production crew. The team is essentially creating a miniature town against the backdrop of the countryside. While fans could not wait to see more of the set develop, residents of Little Marlow grew more concerned as the buildings towered above the pastures.
The massive undertaking could bring many jobs to the area and benefit local businesses. However, locals fear that the increased traffic, light, and noise would disrupt their tranquil rural lives. A resident reportedly views the production as “[an] intergalactic war zone.” While Disney has yet to announce a release date for the series, the project could stay in the area for an estimated three years.
Little Marlow is known for its old manors set against the green pastoral background on the banks of the River Thames. Its postcard image of the English countryside is in contrast with the sand-colored buildings that would recreate the desert environment of Tatooine for the upcoming series. The Little Marlow Gravel Pits is home to local and migratory birds and attracts bird watchers to the area year round. The Little Marlow Sewage Treatment Works located here serve the surrounding area of Buckinghamshire, which must be an eyesore for the residents. The village came to attention in the late 1990s when Mel B “Scary Spice” of the Spice Girls moved into town, bringing famous visitors to her home. Now locals will have to contend with yet another disruption to their peaceful lives as work on Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi will bring in numerous cast and crew and inevitably curious onlookers from out of town.
(Sandy-colored buildings rise above the green countryside)
Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi follows the eponymous hero’s story on Tatooine approximately a decade after Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith and before Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope. Audiences last saw the Jedi Master hand baby Luke Skywalker to Beru and Owen Lars before settling into his self-imposed exile in the desert. We see him again when he rescues the adolescent Luke Skywalker from the Tusken Raiders attack. Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi promises to fill in the gap and provide the missing link in the character’s story.
There have been a few details on the direction that the series will take. The Scottish actor Ewan McGregor will reprise his role as the titular Obi-Wan Kenobi. Hayden Christensen is confirmed to appear in the series as Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader. Temuera Morrison, who recently appeared as Boba Fett in The Mandalorian, is rumored to return as clone Commander Cody. Actress Naomi Scott, who portrayed Jasmine in Disney’s live-action Aladdin, has been tapped to play the female lead opposite McGregor. Her specific role in the series has not been revealed, although there were speculations that she may play a character with a connection to the Mandalorians.
Obi-Wan Kenobi is a major driving force in the Star Wars universe. He was crucial to the development of Anakin Skywalker in the prequel trilogy and The Clone Wars series, although he was unable to prevent his descent to the dark side. He guided Luke Skywalker to the mysteries of the Force in the original trilogy. When Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi is finally released, fans hope to see the early life of Luke Skywalker, and the early rise of Darth Vader, along with the transformation of Obi-Wan into Ben Kenobi.
Source(s): Daily Mail, Inside the Magic