Star Wars fans can be a divisive lot, but one thing almost all agree on is the casting of Ewan McGregor as a young Obi-Wan Kenobi in the prequel movies was fantastic. McGregor showed Obi-Wan going from a padawan to a master before his heartbreaking final duel with Anakin Skywalker that created Darth Vader.
After years of talk of a solo movie, McGregor finally reprised the role in Disney+’s Obi-Wan Kenobi series. The six episode show was a hit with viewers, showing what Obi-Wan was up to on Tattooine and clashing once more with Vader. Though the buzz around Disney doing another season turned out to be due to a celebration of the 25th anniversary for the prequels, we still couldn't help but put together a few reasons why Disney+ needs to give Obi-Wan Kenobi another year. Not only can it show more of Obi-Wan’s past but also other facets of the Star Wars universe to make another season of this show a big hit.
1. We need more Qui-Gon!
sIt took a while to happen, but at last, the Season 1 finale had Liam Neeson reprising his role as Qui-Gon Jin, now a “Force ghost” aiding Obi-Wan. Neeson slipped into the role effortlessly after 25 years, and his cameo was terrific.
A full reunion of him and Obi-Wan could be great, with Qui-Gon giving more insight into the Force and teaching Obi-Wan how to become one with it himself later. It would be a great return to their Master-Padawan relationship and the chemistry of McGregor and Neeson alone would make their scenes spectacular.
2. Obi-Wan vs Maul rematch
The animated Rebels series featured the final showdown of these two old foes. Yet the idea that somehow Obi-Wan and Darth Maul have another encounter over the years is logical. It can play on how Maul is establishing a criminal empire with Red Sun, although something happens to bring him down.
That can be showcased here with Obi-Wan realizing a crime boss intruding on the Hutts is Maul. Ray Park could still pull off the role, and even if we know how it ends, seeing the pair in another wild lightsaber battle would be terrific.
3. Reva Sevander’s redemption arc
Despite a divisive reaction, Moses Ingram’s Third Sister became a central character for season 1. The revelation she was a survivor of Order 66 conditioned to join the Empire was gripping as she slowly realized she was on the wrong side. Her battles against both Vader and Obi-Wan were wild, and it ended with her fleeing.
This gives the potential to balance season 2 with Reva trying to find some redemption and figure out her path. The idea she goes to Obi-Wan to become another apprentice is fascinating, and even if she doesn’t become a full heroine, the character shouldn’t just vanish as Ingram can make Reva’s evolution as an anti-hero another compelling addition to the Star Wars mythos.
4. The chance for more animated characters in live-action
Some of the joy of the live-action Star Wars shows has been seeing popular animated characters come into three-dimensional people. A second season can offer more opportunities, such as Jedi Quinlan Vos, who was revealed as still alive in season 1. Also, Cate Blanchett as a “fan casting” for flashbacks of Obi-Wan’s lost love Satine.
With popular villainess Asajj Ventress returning in The Bad Batch season 3, having her once more facing Obi-Wan would be awesome. Or they could even go silly with galactic crook Hondo, who is still up to his old tricks. There's an opportunity to bring these animated characters to real life.
5. More Clone Wars flashbacks
A terrific highlight of Ashoka was the episode flashing back to the prime of the Clone Wars. Obi-Wan season 2 can do even more with that as de-aging CGI has come a long way, so McGregor and Hayden Christensen can look younger with Obi-Wan and Anakin in the midst of the combat and showcase some famous battles mentioned in the mythos. If they could work an Ashoka cameo in there that would be great too yet it’d be delightful seeing Anakin and Obi-Wan in their prime as friends, making their ultimate breaking all the more tragic.
6. Expand on Luke’s childhood
One of the delights of season 1 was seeing the young Leia and how her adventure with Obi-Wan clearly shaped her into the feisty rebel princess of the future. With the season ending with Obi-Wan meeting Luke, they can do the same to show how this young man grew on Tattoine.
It can play into the tensions between Obi-Wan and Owen, along with Owen and Beru wanting to protect Luke from the truth about his father. While Obi-Wan will want to teach Luke in the Force, he’ll understand letting him be a kid first is important. Get the right actor as Luke, and we can watch the bond develop and how Luke was put on the path to his destiny can highlight this year.
7. The politics of the Empire
Andor has met widespread acclaim in part thanks to the in-depth look at how the Empire operated. Season 2 of Obi-Wan could delve into that as Vader is still an important presence, yet it’d be great to show an episode from the perspective of commanders or troopers facing this Dark Lord.
There’s also the continuing build of the Death Star and the events of the movies to set up. The show can fill in gaps on how the Empire expanded and the seeds of the Rebellion began to be laid to make it a nice fit for the prequel era.
8. McGregor wants it to happen
At the end of the day, the key reason to make Obi-Wan season 2 is how Ewan McGregor wants it. That he was willing to wait 15 years to make the show in the first place shows what Obi-Wan means to him and has pushed for another season.
When an actor is so dedicated to the role that he’s willing to continue playing it for long is a sure sign that a new season should come. McGregor’s passion for this role and how he loves showing the elder Obi-Wan is the best sign that Disney should be ordering season 2 of Obi-Wan Kenobi fast.
Obi-Wan Kenobi is streaming on Disney+.