Star Wars: why Ewan McGregor almost refused the role of Obi-Wan


When the time came to accept (or not) the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ewan McGregor strongly hesitated: and yes, wielding a lightsaber is not easy for a Jedi… just like for the actor who embodies it!

Ewan McGregor immediately understood this: playing the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi, the iconic Jedi previously played by Alec Guinness, was going to give his career a new direction, a direction he was not sure he wanted to take. . Joining the universe of the starry saga meant that he would no longer be the promising actor of independent cinema but a successful star. So he almost refused.

After playing in Danny Boyle’s Trainspotting, the young actor wanted to keep his “urban grunge” side that suited him so well and instead wanted to play in more nervous and independent films. Then came Star Wars.

PolyGram Filmed Entertainment

Ewan McGregor in “Trainspotting” (1996)

As reported by CinemaBlend, the actor, guest of the SmartLess podcast, confided in his decision and his experience in the skin of Obi-Wan.

I really had to think about it. Because it happened shortly after that Trainspotting period, and at that time I was so full of myself. I was like, ‘I’m Danny Boyle’s actor. Urban grunge. I am the Oasis of the British film industry.’ And then when Star Wars came along, I was like, ‘I don’t know if I want to do this. It is not me.’ I guess I was worried about ‘gender casting’ or something. It’s going to be so big, I thought. I was so comfortable being that kind of anti-hero. An independent British actor, that’s how I felt. I felt like that defined me.

A not so easy decision then since the mere fact of joining the Star Wars franchise makes you a household name. Plus, when you’re tackling the younger version of an already iconic character, the expectations and attention are even higher.

Although he did indeed become a household name when the first prequel was released in 1999, Ewan McGregor has always found a happy medium and has been able to take part in independent and unique projects as a result.


Lucasfilm Ltd.

Between The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones, one of his best films, Moulin Rouge! by Baz Luhrmann, with Nicole Kidman, has indeed seen the light of day. Then, between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, he continued to say yes to productions in different genres, such as the romantic comedy Bye Bye Love, Tim Burton’s musical Big Fish or the Robot animated movie.


20th Century Fox

Ewan McGregor in “Moulin Rouge!” (2001)

Since the release of the Star Wars prequels, the reception of the films has always been mixed: some love it, others hate it. Ewan McGregor thinks it’s because critics were just disappointed that it wasn’t exactly like Star Wars and the saga they grew up with.

Despite this, the prequel still has its dedicated fan base and the actor still supports the films. So when we started asking him if he would ever return as a Jedi, his answer was always yes.


Lucasfilm Ltd.

Now that “yes” has become the Obi-Wan Kenobi show airing on Disney+, a project that has been in development for several years. What changed everything? Disney’s decision to make it a series, McGregor said. After a successful first season, he says he is ready to come back if the opportunity arises.

Whether you’re a fan of the prequels or not, there’s no denying that it would have been a shame to miss the actor’s performance as one of the franchise’s most cult Jedi. It looks like Ewan McGregor made the right decision…

Obi-Wan Kenobi the series, whose trailer can be seen below, is available for streaming on Disney+.



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