Disney+’s upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi series has Star Wars fans over the moon of Endor with excitement. Not only are we getting to see Ewan McGregor return to his iconic role, but we will also see the return of Hayden Christensen (and presumably James Earl Jones?) as Darth Vader. But given its choice spot in the timeline—midway between Episode III and Episode IV—the series creates opportunities for many favorite characters to pop up.
The latest actor to be asked about returning to Star Wars was Liam Neeson, who said he’d love to come back in some form. Temura Morrison has also been rumored to show up as various Clone Troopers; so far, neither is confirmed. So here are some characters we’d love to see show up on Obi-Wan’s series, even in the form of cameos. And we’ll start with Obi-Wan’s old master himself.
Qui-Gon Jinn
Lucasfilm
Obi-Wan Kenobi spent the two decades following Revenge of the Sith learning to communicate with his old master Qui-Gon Jinn. Qui-Gon rather accidentally learned how to become “one with the Force” when he died. He couldn’t manifest physically as a Force Ghost. But the students surpassed their teacher, and both Obi-Wan and Yoda were able to achieve this.
Still, at the very least, we should be hearing Qui-Gon’s voice during this series at least once. While he can’t become a Force ghost literally, that doesn’t mean he can’t appear to Obi-Wan in visions. We want to see this one just as much as Liam Neeson does.
Yoda
Lucasfilm
Master Yoda might be in exile on Dagobah at this time, but that doesn’t mean he can’t mentally communicate with his former pupil. Remember: both he and Obi-Wan are learning how to become one with the Force from Qui-Gon during this time. At least one scene with Obi-Wan and Yoda, even if it’s on the metaphysical plane, is warranted here. It can’t be all about Baby Yoda hogging the spotlight; classic Yoda needs to represent.
The Lars Family
Lucasfilm
In A New Hope, Luke Skywalker’s Uncle Owen doesn’t seem to have very warm feelings about Obi-Wan. He even coldly tells Luke he’s dead, even though he knows better. While you could chalk up Owen’s bitterness to Obi-Wan’s leaving an infant on his doorstep, we think there is probably more to it than that.
Some canonical comics have explored that animosity a little bit, but we think the Obi-Wan series could provide a lot more context. And it would be cool to see Beru’s side of things. Hopefully, Joel Edgerton and Bonnie Piesse would return to their roles. (And finally have more than two words of dialogue!) Of course, if the Lars family is included, we’d expect at least one scene with a young Luke as well.
The Organas
Lucasfilm
Aside from Yoda, the only person who knows where Obi-Wan is hiding is Senator Bail Organa from Alderaan. If someone comes to Obi-Wan for help, they will have learned his location from the rebel leader. Jimmy Smits was willing to return for a small role in Rogue One, so let’s hope he’s game for another cameo. It would also be nice to see him share an actual scene with a young Leia, something we’ve never seen yet in live-action. (And if Leia knew Old Ben in any capacity as a youngster, it would make more sense that she named her son after him.)
The Inquisitors
Lucasfilm
Star Wars: Rebels established that in the years between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, the Inquisitors were the Empire’s Force-sensitive elite assassins. Their one mission was to hunt down and destroy any Jedi who survived Order 66. We imagine that Obi-Wan would have been at the top of that kill list. If Obi-Wan leaves Tatooine, it would seem likely he’d have a run-in with one or more of them.
It would also make more sense of Tarkin’s line about Obi-Wan to Vader in A New Hope. “Surely he must be dead by now.” Why must he? He’s not even 60 yet. Unless Obi-Wan had a run-in with some Inquisitors that left his fate ambiguous. If the Grand Inquisitor were to pop up, we think he should be played by Jason Isaacs, who voiced him on Rebels. Much like Liam Neeson, he’s mentioned he’d love to return to the role in live-action. Hopefully, Lucasfilm makes it happen.
Grand Admiral Thrawn
Lucasfilm
Fans are pretty sure that the blue-skinned Imperial is coming to live-action soon, especially after Ahsoka dropped his name on The Mandalorian. If they cast a live-action Thrawn soon, why not have him show up first in the Obi-Wan series? Maybe at this point in the timeline he’s just an Admiral and not a Grand Admiral yet, but he’s definitely high up in the Imperial hierarchy. If the current Obi-Wan scripts call for a no-name Imperial Commander to take part in it, why not just make it Thrawn and make the fans happy? Especially if that means we get some Thrawn/Vader scenes. We’d all lose our minds over that.
Ahsoka Tano
Lucasfilm
Rosario Dawson blew us all away as Ahsoka Tano in The Mandalorian. But we don’t think it makes sense for adult Ahsoka to cross paths with her old friend ten years after the fall of the Jedi. Too much of Rebels wouldn’t align with that. However, there are rumors circulating that there will be flashbacks to the Clone Wars, showcasing adventures of Obi-Wan and Anakin together. If we see them leading clone battalions together, then why not have a teenage Ahsoka with them? Finally getting to see the Clone Wars trio together in live-action would produce real nerd tears in many of us.
Darth Maul
Lucasfilm
People have been wanting a live-action Obi-Wan vs. Maul rematch forever. But the current continuity between the various spin-off series makes that one hard to fit in. Maul has no idea that Obi-Wan is even still alive at this time, much less where he is. Rebels clearly establishes that the ex-Sith had not seen Obi-Wan since the end of the Republic. But if we get a Clone Wars-era flashback, why not a previously unknown fight between Maul and Obi-Wan? Yes, it’s pure fan service. But as season two of The Mandalorian taught us, fan service done right can be extremely rewarding.
The Duchess Satine Kryze
Lucasfilm
We actually wouldn’t expect the former Duchess of the planet Mandalore to appear, as she died during the Clone Wars. But we hope to hear at least a mention of Obi-Wan’s great lost love. One tiny acknowledgement of their relationship would make a lot of Obi/Satine shippers very happy.
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