The lore of “Star Wars” always keeps growing, not to mention the revisionism around the Prequels, a trilogy some fans seem to have grown affection for over the years. Regardless, even 25 years after George Lucas’ “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace,” we’re still apparently learning things about it after the fact.

For example, Lucas apparently wanted to include some game-changing twist at the end of ‘Phantom Menace’ that would have flipped the script and altered the lore about the entire franchise.

Continue reading George Lucas Originally Planned ‘Star Wars: Phantom Menace’ Twist Where Liam Neeson Was The Real Obi-Wan Kenobi at The Playlist.

When it was announced that Ewan McGregor was returning to the “Star Wars” universe for “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” fans were elated. Then the series came out and it was generally welcomed by fans, but there were some who weren’t huge fans. Let’s just say, now, the desire to see McGregor return isn’t as rampant as it was before. That isn’t stopping the actor from trying to make it happen.

Continue reading ‘Star Wars’: Ewan McGregor Says There Are “Another Few Stories To Tell” For Him As Obi-Wan Kenobi at The Playlist.

After years of waiting, “Star Wars” actor Ewan McGregor was able to finally explore his lone wolf Jedi Masters character in the “Obi-Wan Kenobi” Disney+ series prequel. Initially envisioned as three films, Lucasfilm eventually pivoted towards a series in 2018, and some of the longer, darker ideas were scrapped. While speaking with Vanity Fair to promote his new series “A Gentleman In Moscow,” McGregor revealed that some of the earlier ideas for “Obi-Wan Kenobi” and his exile-in Tatooine story were much darker and involved sequences with a drunk Obi-Wan working in a bar and spiritually lost.

Continue reading Ewan McGregor Says Early ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ Ideas Started With A Drunken Jedi; He Had “Really Lost His Way” at The Playlist.

For years, Ewan McGregor was forced to play coy or straight-up lie about a return to the “Star Wars” universe as the Jedi knight Obi-Wan Kenobi. But once the 2022 “Obi-Wan Kenobi” series on Disney+ aired, the actor seemingly couldn’t help but talk about it. In fact, despite Obi-Wan getting his due and finally getting to face-off against arch nemesis Darth Vader—seemingly what fans had wanted all along—McGregor still thinks there could be more appearances for the character, even though he’s meant to quietly protect and oversee Luke Skywalker for 18 years on Tattooine as part of the “Star Wars” mythos.

Continue reading Ewan McGregor Says He’s “Sure We Will” See A ‘Star Wars’ Return For Obi-Wan Kenobi Again at The Playlist.

“No one’s ever really gone,” Luke Skywalker famously said in 2017’s “Star Wars – Episode VIII – The Last Jedi.” A poignant line about memory and those we keep dear in our hearts, the line arguably had the double ironic meaning of how no one ever actually ever dies in genre films, especially not in “Star Wars,” thanks to the whole Force Ghost conceit. Speaking of Force Ghosts, while Liam Neeson made a brief appearance in 2022’s “Obi-Wan Kenobi” series starring Ewan McGregor, the actor doesn’t seem interested in much more beyond that brief cameo.

Continue reading Liam Neeson Rules Out More ‘Star Wars’ Appearances: I’m “Too F-ing Old” at The Playlist.

The Television Academy giveth and the Television Academy taketh away. Outside of the Recording Academy, there is likely no awards body that frustrates the public, media, and industry more than Emmy Awards voters. So this year’s Snubs and Surprises were certainly notable because, frankly, the almost always are.

READ MORE: “Succession,” “The Last of Us” and “The White Lotus” dominate the 2023 Emmy nominations

Granted, there was no surprise that programs such as “Succession,” “The Last of Us,” “The White Lotus,” “Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” or “The Bear” landed a boatload of nominations.

Continue reading Emmy Nominations 2023: Snubs And Surprises at The Playlist.

In today’s episode of The Discourse, host Mike DeAngelo gets in the weeds with Joel Edgerton (“Warrior,” “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” “Thirteen Lives”). The talented writer/actor/director is promoting his latest film, “Master Gardener,” directed by the great Paul Schrader. The film acts as the third and final entry in what Schrader is now calling his “Man in a Room” trilogy, which also features “First Reformed” and “The Card Counter.” The film follows a scrupulous greenskeeper of a wealthy plantation as he tends to the needs of the grounds and a new understudy who uncovers disturbing details about the gardener’s past.

Continue reading ‘Master Gardener’: Joel Edgerton On Working With Paul Schrader, Returning To ‘Star Wars’ & More [The Discourse Podcast] at The Playlist.

Star Wars Celebration is in full swing in London. Yesterday, we got some big updates about new films from James Mangold, Dave Filoni, and Daisy Ridley‘s return as Rey for the upcoming movie helmed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy (“Ms. Marvel“). In the midst of all that, there was a little bit of shock that some previously announced films weren’t getting discussed during the Lucasfilm panel.

Continue reading Kathleen Kennedy: Taika Waititi ‘Star Wars’ Film Still In Development & Doesn’t Rule Out Rian Johnson’s Films & ‘Obi-Wan’ S2 at The Playlist.

Liam Neeson returned to the “Star Wars” universe with a brief cameo in last year’s Disney+ limited series “Obi-Wan Kenobi.” Granted, it lasted two lines of dialogue, but it happened nonetheless. But don’t expect Neeson to return for a Qui-Gon Jinn series any time soon. Variety reports that Neeson isn’t keen on the idea for one main reason: there’s too much “Star Wars” stuff now, and all of the spinoffs are “diluting” the franchise’s mystique.

Continue reading Liam Neeson Says Too Many Spinoffs Have “Taken Away The Mystery And Magic” From The ‘Star Wars’ Franchise at The Playlist.

In some ways, James Earl Jones‘ baritone voice is as iconic to Darth Vader as the Sith lord’s helmet and red lightsaber. But now, after forty years, it’s time for someone else to take over the role — or at least, for someone to recreate the actor’s voice.

READ MORE: ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’: Hayden Christensen Won’t Comment Whether James Earl Jones Is Voicing Vader

IndieWire (via Vanity Fair) reports that Jones has officially retired from voicing Darth Vader after 40 years as the “Star Wars” arch-villain.

Continue reading James Earl Jones Retires From Voicing Darth Vader, Didn’t Actually Record New Dialogue For ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ at The Playlist.

Well before “Obi-Wan Kenobi” became the series it is today and debuted on Disney+, the original idea at Lucasfilm was to tell the story in a feature film. For years, the “Obi-Wan Kenobi” feature film was in development, but nothing ever came to be, largely because “Solo: A Star Wars Story” derailed the idea of having a bunch of spinoff films. That said, the script for that ‘Obi-Wan’ film was apparently used as the backbone for the recent show.

Continue reading Stuart Beattie Explains His Original Idea For An ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ Trilogy Of Films at The Playlist.

After its final episode last night, the long-anticipated Disney+ limited series “Obi-Wan Kenobi” comes to a close. But not without a nice little surprise (spoiler alert for those who haven’t watched yet!). As if Ewan McGregor‘s return as Kenobi wasn’t enough, Liam Neeson showed up in force ghost form in the show’s final moments as Obi-Wan’s master, Qui-Gon Jinn. It’s Neeson’s first appearance in a “Star Wars” vehicle since 1999’s “The Phantom Menace,” where Darth Maul killed Jinn in front of Obi-Wan.

Continue reading ‘Star Wars’ Actor Opens Up About His Surprise Return In ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ at The Playlist.

After nearly 20 years of anticipation, fans of “Star Wars” were excited to welcome back Ewan McGregor in the new Disney+ series, “Obi-Wan Kenobi.” Upon its debut, the series instantly became one of the biggest hits in the short history of the streaming service and earned plenty of love from critics and fans alike. But now that all six episodes have been released, did the show live up to the hype?

Continue reading ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’: The Force Is Moderately Strong In This Unnecessary ‘Star Wars’ Tale [The Playlist Podcast] at The Playlist.

While fans are, of course, excited to see Ewan McGregor return to his role as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the, aptly titled, “Obi-Wan Kenobi” Disney+ series, there has been equal (if not more) anticipation at the idea of Hayden Christensen returning as Anakin Skywalker, aka Darth Vader. Thankfully, for most people, the hype was well-deserved when we saw the duo face off in a recent episode.

Continue reading Hayden Christensen Would “Absolutely” Return As Darth Vader For His Own ‘Star Wars’ Series at The Playlist.

While whispers of young Princess Leia coming to the “Star Wars” universe goes back years (we even mentioned it on a podcast last year), it wasn’t really until an “Obi-Wan Kenobi” casting reveal from a few months later that seemed to truly cement the fact we’d see the other Skywalker twin make a return after the passing of Carrie Fisher. Actress Vivien Lyra Blair (“We Can Be Heroes,” “Bird Box “) took over the role after previous attempts from Lucasfilm to use digital versions in “Rogue One” and “The Rise of Skywalker” was met with mixed reactions.

Continue reading ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’: Writer Joby Harold Explains Why Lucasfilm Chose To Use Little Leia In ‘Star Wars’ Series at The Playlist.

Last week, one of the “Star Wars” galaxy’s most beloved characters made his return when “Obi-Wan Kenobi” premiered on Disney+. And Ewan McGregor back onscreen as the Jedi master should be the most newsworthy item from the show’s first two episodes. But instead, racist messages sent to series star Moses Ingram took centerstage over Memorial Day weekend, including threats that her days were “numbered” and calling her a “diversity hire” for the “Star Wars” universe.

Continue reading ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’: Ewan McGregor Comes To Defense Of Co-Star Moses Ingram Amid Racist Backlash at The Playlist.

“Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi, you’re my only hope,” is obviously a quintessential line in the “Star Wars” canon and one that echoes out in so many ways in the new Lucasfilm limited series, “Obi-Wan Kenobi.” For those troubled, disturbed even, by the post-Disney acquisition era force, er, direction of “Star Wars” these last few years— the disjointed Skywalker Saga sequels, the hit and miss efforts on Disney+, including the dreadfully dull “Book Of Boba Fett”— hope springs eternal for ‘Obi-Wan’ and by proxy, the future of “Star Wars.” But as this fascinating, occasionally thrilling, and yet sometimes deeply frustrating series quickly proves—at least in the two episodes available on Disney+ so far—perhaps resting all our hopes on one character is too big a burden for the aging Jedi Master.

Continue reading ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ Review: Perhaps It’s Too Big A Burden For The Jedi Master To Be Our Only Hope at The Playlist.

This week is not only “Star Wars Celebration” week, but the debut of the “Obi-Wan Kenobi” event limited series. And while many will be excited for the show, “Star Wars” fandom can be deeply unfortunate, and some slinging hate because the series features women and non-white characters in the cast. “Star Wars” fandom has been notoriously toxic (see horribly racist reactions to actors John Boyega and Kelly Marie Tran), and how sad is this?

Continue reading ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’: Lucasfilm Warned Actress Moses Ingram About Racist Backlash Online at The Playlist.

While the scream of frustration that welcomed “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” may have folks wary of new “Star Wars” movies, a lot has also broken right for the franchise’s episodic adaptations. “The Mandalorian” and “The Book of Boba Fett” were well-received by audiences, and the return of Ewan McGregor in the new “Obi-Wan Kenobi” series is something of a television event.

Continue reading Your Joker Origin Story Could Be ‘The Obi-Wan’ Director Comparing The Series To ‘Joker’ & ‘Logan’ at The Playlist.

Later this month on Disney+, we’ll get our latest live-action “Star Wars” fix with Ewan McGregor reprising his Jedi knight character in “Obi-Wan Kenobi” who hasn’t appeared since 2005’s “Star Wars: Revenge of The Sith.” The show features prequel characters such as Hayden Christensen‘s Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, Joel Edgerton‘s Uncle Owen, and Bonnie Piesse‘s Aunt Beru.

Continue reading ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’: Deborah Chow Teases More Film/Prequel Cameos Rather Than Ones From Other Shows at The Playlist.

Star Wars fans have had to be patient this year as they await the return of Ewan McGregor in the latest Disney+ show, “Obi-Wan Kenobi.” And it’s been a lot of waiting: McGregor’s return to the Star Wars Universe didn’t even have a confirmed release date yet when the final episode of “The Book Of Boba Fett” hit the platform in early February.

Continue reading Lucasfilm Reveals ‘Andor’ Coming Summer 2022, ‘Mandalorian’ S3 Late 2022/Early 2023 & More at The Playlist.

Although the show will be missing the month’s famed “Star Wars” celebration day of May 5th, the grand return of one of the franchise’s most beloved characters is almost here. Directed by Deborah Chow of “The Mandalorian,” written by Joby Harold of “Army of the Dead,” with cinematography from frequent Park Chan-wook collaborator Chung Chung-hoon, and music from Natalie Holt and John Williams, the second trailer for “Obi-Wan Kenobi” has arrived for its eagerly-anticipating fans.

Continue reading ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ Trailer: The Jedi Master Cannot Escape Darth Vader On May 27 at The Playlist.

The next big “Star Wars” event of the Disney era of the franchise is heading to the small screen with the Deborah Chow-directed prequel series “Obi-Wan Kenobi.” The series reunites Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen after last working together on “Star Wars: Revenge of The Sith.”

Fans are excited to see the two actors back in the franchise but if it was up to McGregor, this wouldn’t be the last time he’ll play the iconic Jedi.

Continue reading ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ Star Ewan McGregor Is “Totally Up For” Reprising The Jedi In More ‘Star Wars’ Projects at The Playlist.

Having too much television to watch is an absurd problem to have and yet here we are, almost halfway through 2022 and saddled with a long list of “must watch” shows that have come out since the start of the year. May has no intention of slowing down with more than a few series notable for the talent behind and/or in front of the screen. Between both new series and returning favorites such as “Hacks” and “Stranger Things,” there’s also no shortage of sheer star power in the lineup, with everyone from Colin Firth to Sissy Spacek having new shows to promote. 

Continue reading 15 TV Shows To Watch In May: ‘Hacks,’ ‘Obi-Wan,’ ‘The Staircase’ & More at The Playlist.

After working together on “Attack of The Clones” and “Revenge of The Sith” and a 17-year gap since they last worked together, Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen are poised to finally reunite in the latest live-action “Star Wars” series, “Obi-Wan Kenobi” on Disney+.

The new six-episode long limited series see Christensen returning to the Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader role as his “Inquisitor” Jedi hunters from “Star Wars: Rebels” attempt to hunt and kill the remaining Jedi that have survived Order 66.

Continue reading ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’: Hayden Christensen Won’t Confirm Whether James Earl Jones Is Voicing Vader at The Playlist.