It’s common knowledge that even the most devoted Star Wars fans carry a twinge of disappointment regarding the franchise’s prequels. Ewan McGregor, who played the iconic Obi-Wan Kenobi, is no exception.
However, the recent Obi-Wan Kenobi series has successfully bridged that gap, reigniting McGregor’s connection with his on-screen persona and his love for the entire saga. This series has instilled in him a renewed belief and faith in the franchise, offering a fresh perspective and rekindling the passion that initially drew him to the galaxy far, far away.
Ewan McGregor Rediscovered his Faith in Star Wars Thanks to Obi-Wan Kenobi!
Lately, there’s been quite a makeover in how people see the Star Wars prequels. At first, the movie got a ton of flak from fans, mainly because it didn’t quite hit the mark with the story, left gaps here and there, and George Lucas made some eyebrow-raising choices, particularly with CGI.
Ewan McGregor, our very own Obi-Wan Kenobi, himself dropped bombshell revelations in a recent interview with The Wrap. Turns out, being in the thick of it all, he got a front-row seat to the whole circus. He revealed,
There’s been a profound change in my relationship with ‘Star Wars’ and with the fans of ‘Star Wars’ and just in my feelings about it,The prequels were quite difficult to make and quite difficult to deal with after they came out.
With Obi-Wan Kenobi, McGregor spilled the beans on how it patched up his relationship with the franchise, restoring his faith after the rocky times it faced when it first released. He revealed,
It’s brought me right back into the ‘Star Wars’ world in a really nice way. I’m really proud of it now. And it’s made me proud of that work then in a way that I probably wasn’t before.
Despite once deciding he’d never glance back, he’s now grateful he did, and so are the fans, who have eagerly embraced his return to the saga.
Filming the Star Wars Prequels Was Far From Enjoyable
Ewan McGregor, known for his role as Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, once opened up about his less-than-ideal experience on set. Speaking candidly to The Hollywood Reporter, McGregor revealed how his enthusiasm for the role was somewhat dampened by George Lucas’ heavy reliance on CGI technology.
McGregor explained that as the movies progressed, Lucas became increasingly enamored with CGI, striving to push the boundaries of what could be achieved on screen. While Lucas’ passion for technology was evident, McGregor felt the downside keenly. The director’s quest for complete control over the visual aspects of the films led to an environment where physical sets were replaced by vast bluescreens.
By the time Episode III – Revenge of the Sith was underway, McGregor found himself acting against minimal physical backdrops, surrounded by a sea of blue. The once vibrant and immersive sets had been replaced by digital landscapes, leaving McGregor feeling somewhat lost in an artificial world.
Despite his reservations about the reliance on CGI, McGregor’s portrayal of Obi-Wan Kenobi remains iconic, showcasing his ability to immerse himself in the character regardless of the challenges presented on set. Speaking of the experience the actor said,
After three or four months of that, it just gets really tedious – especially when the scenes are … I don’t want to be rude, but it’s not Shakespeare. There’s not something to dig into in the dialogue that can satisfy you when there’s no environment there. It was quite hard to do.
Despite the initial backlash and criticism the prequels faced upon release, time has proven to be a healer, aided by the internet’s love for memes and nostalgia. While audiences may no longer view the films through such harsh lenses, a lingering sense of disappointment remains for many.
The Obi-Wan Kenobi is streaming on Disney+.
