Though it burst into life last summer with news that Stephen Daldry (The Crown) was ready to take the helm, all has gone quiet on the Obi-Wan Kenobi front.
That’s not all that surprising, really, as Disney and Lucasfilm have devoted their full attention to The Last Jedi and the soon-to-be-released Anthology pic, Solo: A Star Wars Story. But according to this new rumor spotted by Heroic Hollywood, it won’t be long before Star Wars enthusiasts are ready to add Kenobi: A Star Wars Story to the growing collection of standalone movies.
It’s by no means official, but we’re learning today that Lucasfilm has drawn up plans for its Obi-Wan spinoff (codename: Joshua Tree) to begin shooting by spring 2019. Truth be told, that’s a little later than initially expected, given Omega Underground once reported that Daldry and his team had planned to commence production by January ahead of a possible release in 2020.
One thing’s for sure: Pinewood Studios is all set to serve as home base for Lucasfilm’s Obi-Wan Kenobi movie, and while Stephen Daldry is yet to officially sign on for this third Star Wars Anthology pic, it’s understood the Powers That Be have been mulling over the film’s script since late 2017, right around the time when Rian Johnson split fans with his bold and, frankly, spectacular Episode VIII.
As for today’s alleged scoop, this is yet more evidence that Lucasfilm is planning to release Obi-Wan as its follow-up to Star Wars: Episode IX, by which point the Skywalker Saga ought to be done and dusted. So what better way to break new ground than to spotlight one of the franchise’s most beloved characters?
Should the stars align, Kenobi: A Star Wars Story (tentative title) will be prepped and ready for release by December 0f 2020. And how exciting is that?