Key Takeaways:
– In an interview, storyboard artist Iain McCaig revealed George Lucas’s original plan had Liam Neeson’s Qui-Gon as the real Obi-Wan.
– This plot twist was eventually dropped before filming began.
– Ewan McGregor, who played young Obi-Wan, has expressed a keen interest in continuing the role on Disney+ series.
A Big Twist That Never Came To Be
Star Wars fans, brace yourself for a revelation that could have changed the whole saga! George Lucas, the creator of the Star Wars universe, originally planned a massive twist for the character of Obi-Wan Kenobi in “Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace”. If you’ve assumed that the young Jedi knight Ewan McGregor played in the movie is the real Obi-Wan Kenobi, you might need to think again.
The Real Obi-Wan: A Bombshell Reveal
In a recent talk, Iain McCaig, a prominent Star Wars concept and storyboard artist, mentioned that Lucas initially intended for Liam Neeson’s Qui-Gon to be the real Obi-Wan. Imagine that, folks! According to McCaig, it was Qui-Gon who takes on the name Obi-Wan after his master passes away. How’s that for a twist?
This change would have turned our perception of the Star Wars narrative upside down. With Qui-Gon defeating Darth Maul and taking on his master’s quest along with his name, the whole Legacy of Obi-Wan takes a massive turn.
Echoes in “A New Hope”
Interestingly, this planned twist could also shed light on a specific moment in the original “Star Wars: A New Hope” released in 1977. Remember the part where Alec Guinness as Obi-Wan puts down his hood and says, “Obi-Wan? Now that’s a name I’ve not heard…”? According to McCaig, this dialogue was a hint at the fact that Guinness’s character was not Obi-Wan but Qui-Gon.
However, Lucas decided to alter the storyline before the filming of “The Phantom Menace” started. Hence, McGregor’s Obi-Wan turned out to be the younger version of Alec Guinness’s Ben Kenobi. Though we got an iconic character, we missed out on one of the greatest reveals in Star Wars history.
Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Journey
While we discuss Obi-Wan, it’s worth mentioning Ewan McGregor’s journey with this character. Known widely for his portrayal as young Obi-Wan, McGregor didn’t limit his journey with the character to “The Phantom Menace”. He reprised his role in “Attack of the Clones” and “Revenge of the Sith” sequels in 2002 and 2005.
Recently, the actor has brought attention to the character once again with the Disney+ series “Obi-Wan Kenobi”. Initially conceived as a limited series, it’s clear that McGregor is interested in continuing his role. He’s been vocal about his excitement for a possible second season.
What’s Ahead For Obi-Wan?
While revising the “Phantom Menace” twist might be interesting, it’ll require some serious narrative juggling. For now, fans can enjoy watching McGregor bring his character to life on Disney+. As we patiently wait for more updates from the Star Wars universe, we can ponder over this phantom plot twist and marvel at the countless ways these stories could go.
