Ewan McGregor Teases Possibility of Obi-Wan Kenobi Season 2 at LA Comic Con
Exciting news is on the horizon for Star Wars fans, especially those who enjoyed Obi-Wan Kenobi on Disney+. At the Los Angeles Comic Con, held in early October 2024, Ewan McGregor, who portrayed the iconic Jedi master, ignited a flurry of speculation when he hinted that Disney is exploring ideas for a second season of Obi-Wan Kenobi. This news has rekindled hope for fans eager to see more of Obi-Wan’s journey, especially since the first season was originally intended as a standalone limited series.
The Initial Plan: A One-and-Done Series
When Obi-Wan Kenobi debuted on Disney+ in 2022, it was marketed as a mini-series intended to bridge the gap between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. The show explored Obi-Wan’s life in exile, watching over young Luke Skywalker while grappling with the consequences of his failure to prevent Anakin Skywalker’s descent into Darth Vader. The story wrapped up many of the lingering questions about Obi-Wan’s emotional state, and Obi-Wan Kenobi was labeled as “The Complete Series,” seemingly putting an end to the character’s arc in that particular time frame.
Both McGregor and director Deborah Chow repeatedly emphasized during promotional interviews that the show was conceived as a limited series. Chow even mentioned that Obi-Wan Kenobi was always meant to be a self-contained story. However, in the months following the series’ release, there were subtle indications that a second season might not be entirely off the table. Chow admitted that while the series was planned as a one-off, there are still “another 10 years” of untold stories in Obi-Wan’s life.
McGregor’s Hints at a Possible Second Season
During his appearance at LA Comic Con in October 2024, McGregor stoked the flames of hope by revealing that Disney is indeed exploring ideas for a second season of the Obi-Wan Kenobi series. While the actor was careful to set realistic expectations, noting that nothing is in active development, he did provide some tantalizing hints about where the story could go. McGregor speculated that there are still plenty of untold stories to explore between the events of the series and Obi-Wan’s final appearance in A New Hope.
One of McGregor’s most exciting ideas for a second season is a deeper dive into The Clone Wars, particularly through flashbacks. He mentioned that he would love to don Obi-Wan’s Clone Wars-era armor, an era in Star Wars history that is beloved by fans of both the animated series and the prequel films. This potential narrative could also offer the opportunity to reunite McGregor with Hayden Christensen, who returned to play Darth Vader in the first season of Obi-Wan Kenobi. McGregor expressed excitement about this possibility, even if it would require the use of de-aging technology to depict the characters in their younger years.
Disney’s Shifting Strategies
While McGregor’s comments are certainly encouraging, they come at a time when Disney is making significant changes to its content strategy. Over the past couple of years, Disney has been scaling back on new projects, particularly in its streaming services, as it seeks to focus on established franchises and proven successes. This has made it difficult to predict whether the exploration of a second season will lead to a green light for production.
Interestingly, Obi-Wan Kenobi remains one of Disney+’s most popular Star Wars offerings, ranking third behind The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. Given the enduring popularity of the character, Disney might be motivated to reconsider its earlier decision to limit the series to one season, especially as the company looks for projects with guaranteed fan interest.
Additionally, the recent underperformance of other Star Wars series, such as The Acolyte, might lead Disney to bank on a more reliable character like Obi-Wan Kenobi. McGregor’s portrayal has been universally praised, even in the face of mixed critical reception for the series itself. The chemistry between McGregor and Christensen, in particular, was seen as a high point, leading fans to clamor for more of their dynamic, either in flashbacks or new confrontations.
What Would a Second Season Explore?
Should a second season materialize, fans are left wondering what stories could be told in the intervening years between Obi-Wan Kenobi and A New Hope. McGregor’s mention of Clone Wars flashbacks is just one possibility. Another potential storyline could involve Obi-Wan’s continued efforts to protect Luke Skywalker from the Empire while staying hidden from Darth Vader. There’s also the possibility of exploring Obi-Wan’s emotional journey, further expanding on his recovery from the trauma of losing Anakin.
Furthermore, some fans have speculated that the series could delve into more of Obi-Wan’s life before becoming a Jedi. In the first season, a brief moment suggested that Obi-Wan had a brother, a storyline that could potentially be expanded. Alternatively, the series could continue to explore the dynamic between Obi-Wan and characters introduced in Star Wars: Rebels.
