What We Know About ‘Kenobi’ Based On These Preview Images
Considered one of the greatest all-around Jedi, Obi-Wan Kenobi, aka the Negotiator, led a life directed by duty and commitment. Obi-Wan had to grow into himself. As a young Padawan, he was unsure of his Force abilities and assumed his Master, Qui-Gon Jinn, felt the same way. Kenobi did not seek adventure or excitement. Instead, his anxiety stunted his growth, as did his Master’s frugal doses of praise. Not until his mid-20s did Obi-Wan Kenobi fully reach his potential by defeating Darth Maul and taking on his own Padawan learner, Anakin Skywalker.
With the Obi-Wan Kenobi series ready to begin in May on Disney+, a slew of new Kenobi material has been announced, including adult novels, comic books, YA books, and the beautiful new poster. Unfortunately, there is plenty of material on its way without a solid story synopsis for the series. So what can be gathered from the preview images about Kenobi? On February 9th, Lucasfilm dropped the Kenobi poster. Although the poster was probably created by a marketing agency, it perfectly illustrates a weary Kenobi alone, roaming a barren, wind-driven Tatooine desert ten years after escaping Order 66. The titular hero still darns his Jedi robes in the image, with a lightsaber in hand. Kenobi has been watching over a young boy for a decade and shows no sign of losing hope.
Last November, Lucasfilm announced a new novel called Star Wars: Brotherhood that would recount the business on Cato Neimoidia that Obi-Wan and Anakin experienced shortly after Attack of the Clones. The cover art was done by Laura Racero and shows Obi-Wan and Anakin as they appeared at the time of this story. Since this story takes place so soon after Episode II, it’s safe to say Kenobi is still fighting to keep Anakin on the right path. While Master and apprentice will eventually become more brother-like in Revenge of the Sith, at this point Obi-Wan and Anakin don’t always see eye-to-eye. Anakin, recently married, is obviously conflicted between his personal life and being a Jedi, which sometimes appears as if he is only doing it because it’s expected of him. Brotherhood hits store shelves on May 10th.
The newly announced YA book Star Wars: Padawan chronicles Kenobi’s days as a teenager, thrust on an adventure without his Master. The beautifully painted cover art by Charlie Bowater shows Kenobi in one of his youngest versions to date. Yet, even at a young age, Kenobi’s steel-blue eyes illustrate determination to prove to himself and his Master that his Jedi abilities are worth developing. Star Wars: Padawan comes out in June.
Lastly is a series of comic book cover art by Star Wars veterans Phil Noto (Poe Dameron) and Ario Anindito (The High Republic), award-winning artist Peach Momoko and E.M. Gist. Despite each artist’s varied style, they all portray Obi-Wan’s patience and fortitude. As writer Christopher Cantwell puts it; “He lost his Master, his best friend… he’s experienced a lot of grief. But he pushes forward. He waits on Tatooine for decades. He is the Buddhist concept of kshanti — patience — personified.”
It’s pretty incredible how Ewan McGregor has blended into the role Alec Guinness started so long ago. Ewan mentioned how he’d watch old Alec Guinness films and think about how a young Alec would play a particular part. And Ewan admits he’s steadily creeping closer to Alec’s age in A New Hope and wants to eventually blend into his character. There is some behind-the-scenes footage for The Phantom Menace that showed how similar Ewan and Alec’s faces are primarily around the eyes, nose, and mouth. When an actor of Alec Guinness’s stature is the foundation for how a character is portrayed and looks, the Force will be with you…always.
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