25 Years Later, Star Wars Artist Reveals Shocking Obi-Wan Twist That Was Cut From the Story
In a recent interview posted on the official Star Wars website to celebrate the series' 25th anniversary, storyboard artist Iain McCaig revealed a plot twist involving Obi-Wan Kenobi that completely changed his story, and also revealed the meaning of the character's famous line.
It turns out that in the prequel trilogy, Obi-Wan wasn't Ewan McGregor's character, but his mentor. Liam Neeson was supposed to play the real Kenobi, while Qui-Gon was his padawan. As George Lucas originally conceived, after Obi-Wan's death at the hands of the Sith, Ewan McGregor's character was supposed to take the Jedi name in honor of his mentor.
For a time, the older Jedi was named Obi-Wan and the younger Jedi was named Qui-Gon. It was very poignant that at the end, as Obi-Wan dies and Qui-Gon defeats Darth Maul and stays with his Master as he passes away, he not only takes on his Master's quest, but he takes on his name. Qui-Gon becomes Obi-Wan.
This was the idea back when Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope was filmed in 1977. Fans remember that when Luke Skywalker first met the older Jedi, the latter responded to the name «Obi-Wan» with the phrase: «Now that's a name I've not heard.» However, George Lucas later swapped Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, and the character's line lost its meaning.
As for the franchise itself, it is currently in an uncertain state. The recent failure of the Acolyte series led to the cancellation of the second season, and rumors began to circulate within Disney about the imminent dismissal of the head of Lucasfilm.
Let us recall that the first season of the Star Wars: Skeleton Crew series about a team of child adventurers will be released in December. In addition, filming of the full-length film The Mandalorian and Grogu has been completed.
