Report: Star Wars Episode IX has Obi-Wan Kenobi

Is this Star Wars rumor about Obi-Wan Kenobi in Episode IX true from a certain point of view, or is it just some wishful thinking?

Outside of the Skywalkers, there are few characters as important to the saga of Star Wars as Obi-Wan Kenobi. He’s mentor to two generations of Jedi, all-around cutie, and pretty much a solidly good guy who’s played by Alec Guinness and Ewan McGregor. For these reasons and more, fans really like him as a character. Yours truly isn’t an exception. With conflicting reports about the state of Star Wars anthology films, fan concerns about Obi-Wan getting his due are pretty high.

It’s why The Sun‘s report that only cites unnamed sources about how McGregor is back for Episode IX feels pretty much perfectly timed. It doesn’t matter if it’s true or not; it can just be true in fans’ minds if need be. (Of course, that also sets fans up for disappointment, but McGregor’s a white dude, so that disappointment probably wouldn’t manifest in the same way it did for Kelly Marie Tran.)

Now, as CBR notes, there could actually be some valid reasons for Obi-Wan to show up, though it chooses to imply that the Rey Kenobi theory is the true one. But let’s face it: if Ben Kenobi is back just to say “Actually, Rey, you’re Luke’s daughter and I have dragged his Force Ghost here to make him apologize for being a jerk to you,” that would not actually be worth it.

For one, it would be a weird take on the scene from Return of the Jedi where Luke and Force Ghost Ben have a chat about “a certain point of view,” and the sequel trilogy has had enough criticism (some valid, some not) for borrowing from the original films. For another, it would seem like a waste of a scene. Luke can own up to his mistakes (if he’s made them) in his ghostly afterlife all by himself, thank you very much.

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In other words, if it’s true, we sincerely hope it’s done well.