Ewan McGregor reiterated his role as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the new Disney+ series

When it was released in 1999, star wars episode i : The Phantom Menace, a new episode in a legend long mourned by fans after the initial trilogy, has aroused intense enthusiasm. But the film fails in its often-thought-out dialogue, in its chaotic political-spatial plot, and in its shallow Jar Jar Binks.

For Ewan McGregor, who at the time took over the iconic role of Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi played by Alec Guinness in the original trilogy, the experience was painful.

A positive reassessment

One of the challenges for me that came with these prequels was that they weren’t well received when they came out.said the actor at a virtual press conference organized to present Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Since there were no social networks, there was no direct connection with fans at the time. And also, the fans are kidshe says.

But in retrospect, Ewan McGregor finds that the trilogy in which he participated has found favor in the eyes of Star Wars fans, especially the youngest.

” It resonated with me a little bit with these films, I think, as well as with my experience within the Star Wars universe. “

Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen, who starred as Anakin Skywalker with him, returned for a six -episode miniseries set in succession between the events of the prequels and the first Star Wars film, released in 1977.

More precisely, Obi-Wan Kenobi taking place ten years after the tragic end of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sithwhen the evil Emperor Palpatine seizes power and returns Kenobi’s young apprentice to the dark side of the Force, who becomes the sinful Darth Vader.

Defender of the Jedi

The Jedi Knight played by McGregor leads a dark and dismayed life on the desert planet Tatooine.

For 10 years, Obi-Wan hid, he could not talk to any of his former colleagues and he was really isolated.said the actor.

He can’t use the Force. So somehow he lost confidence. He was like someone who had turned away from his religion … The only responsibility left in his past life was to watch Luke Skywalkerhe pointed out.

Kenobi won’t get bored for very long as he finds himself battling the Inquisitors, fearsome villains the Empire charges to exterminate some living Jedi.

An avalanche of derivative series

Obi-Wan Kenobi results from Disney’s recent decision to move the very rich and profitable Star Wars universe from cinema to television.

The legend should play a major role in the commercial strategy of Disney +, the video on demand platform launched by the world’s number one in entertainment.

Obi-Wan Kenobi the series will soon follow Andorprequel to the film RogueOnethen through a new era of success The Mandalorian.

Other Star Wars series are in development, including Ahsoka at The Acolyte.

Disney, on the other hand, chose to lighten up the movies after the disappointing performance of Alone in 2018. The most conservative fans were not pleased to see a young actor succeed Harrison Ford to perform as the iconic space smuggler.

Lucasfilm boss Kathleen Kennedy admitted that, in retrospect, it was a bad idea.

To prevent this type of reaction, the series The Mandalorian so prefer to use advanced technology to artificially rejuvenate the stars of original films, even build digital avatars of actors and actresses who have now died by computer.

In the case of Alec Guinness

This doesn’t stop Ewan McGregor from following in the footsteps of Alec Guinness, a legendary actor he says he continues to draw on his inspiration.

Now that I’m approaching the age of Alec Guinness, it’s getting interesting … my Obi-Wan is pretty close to him.said the 51-year-old actor.

All from Alec Guinness. He always had that mischievous twinkle in his eye … the twinkling eye. I always try to think of him, to feel him not too far away, to hear him say his lineshe explains.

The first two stages ofObi-Wan Kenobi will be available at Disney+ from May 27th.