On May 27, fans of Star Wars will be able to discover the first episodes of Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi, which will mark the return of Ewan McGregor as the Jedi Knight. But did you know that we owe this long-awaited return to a film that has nothing to do with the universe of George Lucas?
A new state of mind
If he has been adored by fans since his first appearance in 1977 in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, the character of Obi-Wan Kenobi saw his popularity soar even more with the prelogystarted with Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace in 1999, and in which he is portrayed by British actor Ewan McGregor. After leaving the role with Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the SithMcGregor had not returned to that galaxy far, far away.
As well, the 2019 announcement of the actor’s return to the role of the character that made him so popular with the general public sent a cataclysm to fans of Star Wars. Especially since the return of Hayden Christensen, who played Anakin Skywalker in the prelogy, has also been confirmed. But how to explain this return? Was Ewan McGregor just lured by a fat check signed by Lucasfilm? It would seem, according to him, that we owe his return to a previous film.
It is Trainspotting 2 by Danny Boyle, released in 2017, sequel to Trainspotting from the same director, who propelled the respective careers of the two British. A cult film released in 1996, the English film is often referred to as the “symbol of a generation”. Also, given its immense success, it is surprising that a sequel took so long to appear, especially considering that the novel by Irvine Welsh, of which it is the adaptation, had several suites.
Part of the answer can be found in Ewan McGregor’s desire not to tarnish the quality of a film by making a sequel.. This is what he explains very clearly during an interview granted to Total Movie :
I didn’t want a sequel to Trainspotting which could tarnish the reputation of the first film, because I love it so much. And, little by little, I said to myself: “I want to do it. Why don’t you do it?”
A winning bet in any case, since the continuation of the adventures of Renton, Spud, Sick Boy and Begbie received favorable opinions from the English and French press. This new state of mind then led Ewan McGregor to make his grand return to the world of Star Wars, as Obi-Wan Kenobi. The actor comments:
The same thing happened with Obi-Wan. I think if you really explore a character in your work, somehow it stays in a compartment of your brain. It’s still there, and it’s not very difficult to bring it back to life.
As our impatience to see Ewan McGregor again as the Jedi Knight continues to mount, these confidences make us hope that the British actor will once again return to major roles in his career, such as a third Trainspotting or in the skin of Alex Lawhis character in Little murders between friendsthe directorial debut of Danny Boyle.
