Caffeinated Clint
Well there goes Kathleen Kennedy’s promise that “these new Star Wars movies sure as shit aren’t going to remind viewers of those fucking prequel movies.”
Today’s rumour is so surprising – and quite frankly, a little unsettling – it’ll likely see Mon Mothma stopping mid-way through her mid-flight sheet-jig with Admiral Ackbar just so she can take notes.
Here it is :
Ewan McGregor is apparently going to be reprising ‘ghost’ Obi-Wan Kenobi for JJ Abrams’ new “Star Wars Episode VII”.
I know, I know.
This is a chap that, only till now, has appeared in George Lucas’s prequel trilogy and uttered such memorable lines as “Yes, Master. How do you think this Trade Viceroy will deal with the Chancellor’s demands?” and “Master Yoda, I gave Qui-Gon my word. I will train Anakin… without the approval of the Council, if I must.”.
The report of Scot McGregor’s return comes from Latino Review, a site with a good track record when it comes to scoops, so it’s not to be absolutely dismissed.
So…?
Well, I guess it logistically and creatively makes sense for Obi-Wan Kenobi’s forceful ghost to reappear in “Star Wars Episode VII”, particularly if Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) is in the films – after all, Kenobi’s been haunting Jedi Luke all through the sequel trilogy. I’m sure if Sir Alec Guinness were still with us, Abrams and Kathleen Kennedy would’ve preferred to have him play the ‘older’ Kenobi (that he played in the sequel series), but since he’s not kicking anymore, it’s natural they’d go to the only other actor who has played the role of the bearded lightsaber-wielding vet. It’s either that or make Victor Garber grow a beard I guess?
I don’t know whether it was McGregor that was terrible in Lucas’s “Star Wars” prequel trilogy, or the fact that he was just forced to mutter dire dialogue? One thing’s for sure, he came across pretty wooden and horrible. Not to say McGregor’s a bad actor, he’s not, in fact he’s usually very good, but in the “Star Wars” films he didn’t impress. He did a bad Alec Guinness impersonation that came out about as wonky as a three-headed obese baby from a woman’s delivery spot.
I guess I’m just worried that having a character from the ‘prequel trilogy’ in the new series might deter enjoyment of the new films – if even a little. But at the same time I should put more trust in Abrams, he’s given us some good franchise entries in the “Mission : Impossible” and “Star Trek” series, and rarely lets audiences down, and would likely make sure McGregor’s moments are spot-on perfect for the new addition to the “Star Wars” series. Plus, for all I know, he might only be in it for a few minutes. Mightn’t matter (though LR says McGregor is trying to get Disney excited on the idea of doing a stand-alone Obi-Wan Kenobi film.)
If it’s being reported next week that some of the prequel-restrictive characters like Watto the junkyard ‘thing’, the pod-racing rogue Sebulba, or even Jar Jar Binks is returning for “Star Wars Episode VII”, I’ll be prepared to write the movie off, but at this stage let’s stay as we were… and just hope Abrams plans on rectifying the wrongs of McGregor’s Obi-Wan with some right’s he has planned for the 2015 release.
Latino Review had reported a couple of days ago that Ian McDiarmid, who also had a role in the prequels, is returning for this new “Star Wars” flick too. That makes more sense though; his ‘Emperor’ character had appeared in Lucas’s “Star Wars” sequels too.
“Star Wars : Episode VII” will feature much of the cast of the sequel trilogy, including Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford; it’s also safe to say Peter Mayhew (‘Chewbacca’), Anthony Daniels (‘C3PO’) and Kenny Baker (‘R2-D2’) will be back. Maybe even Mon Mothma.
