By Josh Bate
Obi-Wan Kenobi is just over a month away, with the highly anticipated series set to arrive with a two episode premiere during Star Wars Celebration on May 27.
The Ewan McGregor led series sees the return of the title character in live action form for the first time since Revenge of the Sith. McGregor last played Kenobi in the conclusion of the prequel trilogy alongside Hayden Christensen, aka Anakin Skywalker. Christensen is set to join McGregor in the upcoming Disney+ show, this time playing the villainous Darth Vader. Fan speculation is swirling that flashbacks set during the Clone Wars era will appear in the series, giving Christensen and McGregor the chance to reunite as Anakin and Kenobi before the fall of the Republic and the rise of the Sith once more.
Although Vader appears to be the main villain of the show, the Inquisitors also appear, as highlighted by the first trailer. Moses Ingram plays Reva, a new villain never before seen in canon. Sung Kang plays the Fifth Brother, an Inquisitor seen in Star Wars Rebels, and Rupert Friend is set to bring another animated villain to live action in the form of the Grand Inquisitor.
Recently, Friend gave an interview for his new Netflix series and was, of course, asked about Obi-Wan Kenobi. Although predictably coy and hesitant to give anything away, Friend teased some fan pleasing cameos and surprising moments.
“If it’s possible to be any more excited than folks already are, I would be. I think [the series] is one of the most thrilling additions to the Star Wars canon. I think Ewan McGregor is doing things with that role that is a dream for fans of the original films. You know, we can’t obviously have Alec Guinness back, but I just think Ewan was absolutely born to play that part. And wonderful cameos from people I obviously can’t tell you, but Easter eggs galore… Yeah, it’s a thrilling ride.”
Friend also gave some insight into the process of playing the villain, which included a heavy makeup process and a practical suit.
“It was a sweaty, sweaty suit, and I did sweat buckets inside the prosthetics, which would pour across my face at the end of a day and make me look like a very, very miserable clown…but so worth it!”
Star Wars as a franchise has always had a unique relationship with its fans, making the beloved space opera even more special, as Friend went on to note.
“It’s amazing. They have literally built a universe over the years, and the incredible thing about is the relationship between the stories and the fans is completely interlaced – they are as connected with those stories as those of us who make it, and you really feel like you’re in dialogue as you do it… It’s an amazing thing to be a part of.”
Obi-Wan Kenobi premieres exclusively on Disney+ May 27.