I Changed My Mind: I'm Glad Obi-Wan Kenobi Wasn't A Trilogy

Although I was previously saddened that Obi-Wan Kenobi ultimately became a TV show and wasn't a trilogy of movies as planned, I've come to realize that it is so much better for Star Wars that this change was made. Obi-Wan Kenobi is one of several recent Star Wars shows that were originally movies. In Obi-Wan Kenobi's case, this really would have meant another story entirely, as the scrapped Obi-Wan Kenobi trilogy had a completely different plot than the show.

The trilogy, which would have been written by Stuart Beattie, was going to see Obi-Wan encounter Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader again, but in the movies, he would have believed Anakin was able to return to the light side of the Force. This was based on the comment Obi-Wan made to Luke Skywalker in A New Hope that he had once believed Anakin could be redeemed, which obviously never happened in the prequel trilogy. While this concept has some merit, an Obi-Wan Kenobi trilogy would have been all wrong for Star Wars.

An Obi-Wan Kenobi Trilogy Would Have Been Too Much

There Are Already Complaints About A Possible Season 2

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While it admittedly would have been compelling to see Obi-Wan have faith in his former Padawan—and given Ewan McGregor more screen time, which is always a positive—a trilogy between Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope would have been too much. The Star Wars fanbase was already divided on whether Obi-Wan Kenobi was a good idea, as many felt the franchise needed to explore other stories rather than continue to focus on the Skywalker Saga's main characters.

Even now, there is discourse regarding whether a rumored Obi-Wan Kenobi season 2 would be a good idea. For some viewers, Obi-Wan Kenobi already provided some interesting new insights into this period in the Star Wars timeline, particularly regarding Obi-Wan's life in exile on Tatooine, and perfectly set up A New Hope. While I think, as Ewan McGregor does, there is more potential left to explore in a possible season 2, including with the Hidden Path, a second season does run the risk of being overkill.

Related Obi-Wan Kenobi Set Up One Incredibly Exciting Dark Times Star Wars Story The mention of Quinlan Vos in the Obi-Wan Kenobi set up a thrilling opportunity to explore the character's history with the dark side of the Force.

If Obi-Wan Kenobi season 2 is possibly overkill, though, an entire Obi-Wan trilogy would have been so much worse. Obi-Wan's story between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope is primarily meant to show Obi-Wan in hiding, so much so that he tells Luke he hasn't heard the name Obi-Wan in a very long time. While that could of course be Obi-Wan explaining this from a certain point of view again, it does make sense given everything the original trilogy reveals. A trilogy would undoubtedly have been a major retcon, which would have caused significant controversy.

If Obi-Wan Kenobi season 2 is possibly overkill, though, an entire Obi-Wan trilogy would have been so much worse.

Star Wars DOES Have To Move On

Seeing Obi-Wan's Story Continue Is Thrilling, But An Entire Trilogy Would Have Felt Stuck In The Past

I'm of the opinion that Star Wars movies and TV shows don't have to entirely abandon the prequel trilogy characters or the Skywalkers in general. This has been a relatively prominent argument in the fanbase (even though new ideas also cause backlash). However, even I have to admit that a trilogy entirely dedicated to Obi-Wan in the Dark Times would have revealed that the franchise is too tied to this era and these stories.

Star Wars is well aware that these characters still sell, as they have continued to appear in numerous projects after the prequels—many of which aren't directly tied to the Jedi or the Skywalkers. Despite that continued popularity, the franchise must prove it can have success beyond them. At present, that hasn't exactly been shown. The intense negative response to the Star Wars sequel trilogy and shows like The Acolyte suggest that, often, Star Wars has struggled to successfully offer something new.

The franchise must prove it can have success beyond them.

This is precisely what would have made the Obi-Wan trilogy all wrong. It would have made this issue all the more pervasive by suggesting Star Wars continues to be about Obi-Wan and Anakin/Vader. Obi-Wan Kenobi is the perfect amount of nostalgia, without feeling all-consuming.

Obi-Wan Season 2 Has Plenty Of Promise—And More Wiggle Room

Ewan McGregor's Hints About Season 2 Reveal How Much Better The Show Is Than A Trilogy

An Obi-Wan trilogy would have required a detailed, cohesive narrative arc that the Obi-Wan Kenobi show isn't beholden to, even if there is a season 2. In fact, Ewan McGregor has also dropped multiple hints about what that story could look like, confirming that a trilogy would have spoiled some major story opportunities. As a show, Obi-Wan Kenobi has more fluidity, and Star Wars is clearly exploring what that could mean based on McGregor's comments specifically about de-aging and donning the Clone Wars armor.

It seems Obi-Wan Kenobi season 2, if it happens, could include a Clone Wars arc, no doubt bringing Christensen and McGregor back together again. Sure, the trilogy could have done something with this idea in flashback, but as a show, Obi-Wan Kenobi can dive so much deeper into a full arc without disrupting an overarching narrative flow. While I would have loved to see Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen back together again on the big screen, I've realized I'm so glad Obi-Wan Kenobi wasn't a full trilogy in Star Wars.