An Obi-Wan Kenobi film is a mistake

Sure, it will likely be an entertaining movie. But, it’s a waste of what another standalone film could be.

Josh
Josh
Aug 22, 2017 · 4 min read

Hollywood Reporter is reporting that the next standalone Star Wars film would center on Obi-Wan Kenobi. They also reported that Stephen Daldry is in discussions to become the lead man on the project.

First off, I have no doubt that the movie would be an excellent, entertaining, and welcomed addition to the Star Wars universe. My problem isn’t with the entertainment quality that the movie will likely possess. Nor is my problem in any way related to Obi-Wan.

There are two reasons I’m not a fan of the choice. The first is that Disney has a key window to foster a new generation’s love for Star Wars, and I don’t believe this movie will do it in an effective way.

The second is that I just genuinely don’t like the choice. There’s a plethora of ways to go with these movies that are outside the main movie thread, and this isn’t taking that creative freedom anywhere interesting topically.


To build on what I mean when I say: “Disney has a key window to foster a new generation’s love for Star Wars,” I don’t mean that this movie won’t excite young Star Wars fans when it comes out. It will likely be an incredibly entertaining movie that initially pushes people who haven’t seen the original trilogy, to go back and watch them. If more of the original trilogy is seen due to this movie, then great. But I don’t think a movie about Obi-Wan will build a genuine affection that keeps the next generation of fans coming back for years, and here’s why.

I believe the key ingredient for a genuine affection of Star Wars is how they’ve structured and built the story to be an ever evolving set of storylines, characters, and worlds. A movie about one of the most famous, well known, and most involved characters in the Star Wars realm doesn’t help to build that wonderfully large world.

Not to mention we see or hear Obi-Wan in the first seven movies, and I’m good with the time I’ve spent with him. I love Obi-Wan and there is plenty of material for fans of him. But there is so much world building to be done in the Star Wars universe, and Disney has the capital to make those Outer Rim stories become a reality. If new fans of Star Wars are intrigued enough about Obi-Wan, there are plenty of movies and television hours dedicated to him.

Stoke the Star Wars fire in new fan’s hearts with something unknown that makes the universe larger. Send them back to the original trilogy because they love the world, that’s a much more long-lasting affection than an affection for a singular character.

The reason I personally don’t like the choice is there are just many different threads of story that Disney could create for the next generation of Star Wars stories. What they’ve done with the animated series and books is a perfect example. You don’t have to abandoned the original characters if you’re so tied to them. But the reason Star Wars is so successful, in my opinion, is the feelings they’ve fostered around the world they’ve created. It’s so much bigger than the characters themselves.

The Force Awakens is a perfect example of what I’m talking about. They hung on a bit too much to the old characters, and yet the new characters were still able to thrive. No other large franchise I can think of could pull off what Star Wars VII did, and still make a decent movie. New characters: Rey, Finn, Poe, and Kylo Ren were able to thrive in spite of the original characters. The only reason that can happen is the world that Star Wars has created gives so much creative freedom to whoever is creating the next Star Wars product. That’s something special and rare, it takes care to keep that up, not making money off the back of an already known character.


The Obi-Wan Kenobi movie will likely be good. I’ll see it multiple times and in spite of the frustration that it will bring me, I’ll enjoy it as a singular piece of entertainment. Just because the movie itself will be good doesn’t make it the correct choice for a standalone movie.

Star Wars is so much bigger than the characters it creates, but the more they focus on a singular character(s), that reality begins to fade away.

The Unprofessionals

Relentlessly honest opinions on all things sports and entertainment.

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Josh

Written by

Josh

Streaming on Twitch.tv/doubtfuldev. Words at SB Nation and the Unprofessionals. Email: doubtfuldev (at) gmail (dot) com

The Unprofessionals

Relentlessly honest opinions on all things sports and entertainment.

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