George Lucas’ Star Wars franchise has its own intricate power system that relies on the otherworldly source of power known as the Force. Over the years, several Force powers have been used by different characters. However, the appearance of deceased members of the Jedi order showing up as Force Ghosts remains extremely popular.
Despite Lucas setting up one rule for the appearance of Force Ghosts, Obi-Wan Kenobi, starring Ewan McGregor as the iconic Jedi knight, broke it for some fan service. As a result, Obi-Wan Kenobi‘s fan service moment might jeopardize the Star Wars franchise by inadvertently creating an upsetting trend.
Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi Defied One Star Wars Rule Set By George Lucas
Ewan McGregor first debuted in the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi in 1999’s The Phantom Menace, alongside Liam Neeson’s Qui-Gon Jinn. After the end of the prequel trilogy, McGregor reprised his role in the 2022 miniseries Obi-Wan Kenobi.
During the final moments of the series, McGregor’s character witnesses the corporeal Force Ghost of his former Jedi master Qui-Gon Jinn. The final episode sees Kenobi finding inner peace, which allows him to converse with the spirit of his former master. However, unlike previous instances, Qui-Gon Jinn’s Force Ghost becomes visible to Kenobi.
The scene is certainly meant for fan service as fans clamored for Liam Neeson’s return to the galaxy far, far away, for years since his unexpected and untimely demise in The Phantom Menace. Nonetheless, the moment also defied franchise creator George Lucas’ rule, which prevented Qui-Gon Jinn from appearing in further installments.
Why George Lucas Did Not Want to Show Qui-Gon Jinn’s Force Ghost
During the prequel trilogy of Star Wars directed by George Lucas, Qui-Gon Jinn is killed off during a fight with Darth Maul in the first installment. However, Qui-Gon’s voice is heard in the second part and Yoda mentions he has been communicating with Qui-Gon through the Force in the third installment.
In The Art of Star Wars: Episode III—Revenge of the Sith, Lucas explained why he chose not to show Qui-Gon’s Force Ghost, despite Obi-Wan and Yoda’s Force Ghosts appearing at the end of the original trilogy.
“We never see the ghost of Qui-Gon; he’s not that accomplished.”
Lucas made the above statement (via ScreenRant), highlighting how Qui-Gon’s Force powers were not well developed to appear as a corporeal Force Ghost. However, the character’s Force Ghost, making an appearance in Obi-Wan Kenobi breaks the rule set by Lucas, which establishes that Qui-Gon isn’t accomplished to manifest a physical form.
Thus, by having Qui-Gon appear in the series, Obi-Wan Kenobi disturbs the existing canon for a fan service moment. Despite the emotional weight of the reunion between the former Jedi and his Padawan, the scene threatens to start a trend of more such fan-favorite moments, which do not show regard for the canon setup by Lucas and could jeopardize the entire franchise.
Obi-Wan Kenobi is streaming on Disney+.
