As we all know by now Star Wars Episode VII will be released on December 18, 2015, followed by Episode VII in 2017 and Episode VII in 2019. However, Disney had announced that they are strongly considering (and planning) on creating a set of original spinoff movies that would focus on some of the Saga's most interesting character. So far, Boba Fett and Han Solo have been mentioned, but now we have word that an Obi Wan spinoff might come out in 2020. What's the deal? Well, let's see what the news on the wire says and check out just how accurate this rumor might be.
A rant before we start: A lot of time has passed since October 2012 when fans were first told about the upcoming new trilogy. It was a great day - I remember that I was happy to hear that the new trilogy would be none other than the long-awaited Sequel trilogy. The upcoming news of Disney buying Lucasfilm were not well received though and I wrote quite a few rants myself. However, my complaints weren't aimed at Disney itself as much as they were at the way the company decided to handle Star Wars. I particularly disliked when Disney threw away the rich and beautiful Expanded Universe of Star Wars and decided to do their own thing.
Now, if they do know what they are doing - then more power to them! But, I'm afraid that they won't be able to produce the type of quality fans like myself are looking for.
Anyway, let's end the rand and move on. I promise, the news about the Obi Wan movie are coming soon!
Their Star Wars toy development plan was leaked and we got first confirmation about Episode VII coming out in December 2015 (before the official announcement). The leak also gave us a general idea on when the other two episodes are to be released (in 2017 and 2019), but it also shed some light on the matter of the independent spinoff movies.
According to the leak we'll have a chance to see a Boba Fett movie in 2016 and a Han Solo spinoff in 2018. The year 2020 was presumably also reserved for a movie known as "Red Five" which would focus on the Rebellion's battle against the Empire and give us more details about Luke and his days as Rebel pilot. However, new reports seem to suggest that we might instead get a movie about Obi-Wan. The story should be based on his story after the Jedi Order was destroyed and Yoda would likely be part of it to some extent.
Another thing that's good about the idea is the setting. The prequels gave us the backstory of how the Empire came to be, but we only saw its roots and early beginnings. In a story that is set after "The Revenge of the Sith" we could see the rest of the story unfold: How did Palpatine destroy democracy? Did everyone just bend the knee to the new Emperor? How did the people feel about all this? Were there any rebellions at the start? How did the Stormtroopers come to be? What did Darth Vader do during this time?
There is so much potential to tie loose ends and deliver a great story - and I hope Disney/Lucasfilm will do a good job and not just use these spinoffs for an easy cash grab. In fact, these independent movies are a good way for them to adopt the Marvel method of connecting various arcs and characters into one epic universe.
Another rant: However, we already have that and its called the Expanded Universe, but never mind.
But please, don't call the movie Episode 3 and 1/2 or something stupid like that (looking at you Lion King).
MTV already asked Ewan about the possibility of replaying Obi-Wan in the near future and he was kind enough to give his honest thoughts on the subject:
Well that just about wraps it up I think. You can expect the next article on Monday - it'll be a quick Star Wars 7 news piece focusing on Adam Driver and some leaked news we were able to get ;) Enjoy the weekend and may the Force be with you!
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| Obi-Wan won't be in Star Wars 7, but he might get his own movie at least! |
A rant before we start: A lot of time has passed since October 2012 when fans were first told about the upcoming new trilogy. It was a great day - I remember that I was happy to hear that the new trilogy would be none other than the long-awaited Sequel trilogy. The upcoming news of Disney buying Lucasfilm were not well received though and I wrote quite a few rants myself. However, my complaints weren't aimed at Disney itself as much as they were at the way the company decided to handle Star Wars. I particularly disliked when Disney threw away the rich and beautiful Expanded Universe of Star Wars and decided to do their own thing.
Now, if they do know what they are doing - then more power to them! But, I'm afraid that they won't be able to produce the type of quality fans like myself are looking for.
Anyway, let's end the rand and move on. I promise, the news about the Obi Wan movie are coming soon!
Obi-Wan Spinoff Movie - How It Ties In
So, the first news of the possible Star Wars spinoff movie came in 2013 when Bob Iger gave us a nice little gem of insight:“When we were exploring very seriously with George the acquisition of Lucasfilm, the idea of producing a few so-called standalone films that were not part of the overall saga came up. And we discussed not in great detail, a few of the possibilities. What I confirm today is that those possibilities are becoming more real and they are now creative entities that are working on developing scripts for what would be those standalone films.”To the fans, this wasn't just something Iger said to CNBC in a casual interview - it was an official announcement and mind-bending report that they wanted to hear. Early rumors speculated that we might be seeing more of Han Solo, Boba Fett or Yoda in these independent films, but it was Hasbro (yes the toy company) that jumped the gun on this one.
Their Star Wars toy development plan was leaked and we got first confirmation about Episode VII coming out in December 2015 (before the official announcement). The leak also gave us a general idea on when the other two episodes are to be released (in 2017 and 2019), but it also shed some light on the matter of the independent spinoff movies.
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| Obi-Wan nomad/vagabond concept art |
Why a Obi-Wan Movie?
The real question would be - why not? He is a fan favorite and Ewan McGregor's performance as Obi-Wan Kenobi was probably one of the better things about the prequel trilogy. Aside from this, the older core fans loved Obi-Wan as a character in "A New Hope" and kids loved his character in the animated series "The Clone Wars". So, apparently there's a lot of people who love him and he's character has won on numerous Star Wars polls. |
| A great performance by McGregor in the end |
There is so much potential to tie loose ends and deliver a great story - and I hope Disney/Lucasfilm will do a good job and not just use these spinoffs for an easy cash grab. In fact, these independent movies are a good way for them to adopt the Marvel method of connecting various arcs and characters into one epic universe.
Another rant: However, we already have that and its called the Expanded Universe, but never mind.
Ewan McGregor Is Ready for the Role
Like I said, I think that McGregor did a great job in the prequel trilogy and that his acting was good (not amazing, but above average for sure). Now that he's a more mature and more experienced professional I'm sure that he would deliver good in his own movie as Obi-Wan Kenobi. Along with this, he is a bit older now and he fits perfectly in the setting that takes place somewhere between Episode III and Episode IV.But please, don't call the movie Episode 3 and 1/2 or something stupid like that (looking at you Lion King).
MTV already asked Ewan about the possibility of replaying Obi-Wan in the near future and he was kind enough to give his honest thoughts on the subject:
“I think it’s a good idea. The only bit that I could get away with doing is after the last one I made, ‘Episode III,’ before Alec Guinness [played Obi-Wan in the original films], there’s that period where he’s in the desert.What he's basically saying is: I'm the right age, I want more Star Wars fame and this a good opportunity to make a hell of a story.
That might be my window, there, to tell that story. I don’t know what he did in the desert. We could make up some stuff. Could be quite exciting. I’d be up for it, for sure, of course.”
Well that just about wraps it up I think. You can expect the next article on Monday - it'll be a quick Star Wars 7 news piece focusing on Adam Driver and some leaked news we were able to get ;) Enjoy the weekend and may the Force be with you!
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