The Latest 'Star Wars' Rumor Says the Obi-Wan Spinoff Is Happening Next
"Star Wars" fans may be experiencing a bit of whiplash this week, thanks to all of those conflicting rumors about the next subject of a standalone flick. Now, a new report suggests that yet another familiar face from a galaxy far, far away is actually the one set to get his own "Star Wars Story."
TMZ is reporting that Lucasfilm is currently planning out a film centered on Obi-Wan Kenobi, and already has a plot outline in place. The site says it recently got its hands on a "production bulletin," which says that the film will be called "Obi-Wan: A Star Wars Story," with the working title "Joshua Tree" (much like "Solo: A Star Wars Story" used the working title "Red Cup").
According to TMZ, this is the story breakdown from the production bulletin:
Obi-Wan is on Tatooine being an elusive hermit and stuff, but secretly watches over an infant Luke Skywalker, whom he delivered to his uncle, Owen. Tensions between the local farmers and a tribe of Sand People -- headed by a ruthless war chief -- eventually brings Obi outta hiding ... and into Jedi kickass mode.
The report goes on to say that a London studio is already booked to shoot the film next spring, and director Stephen Daldry -- previously reported to be circling the project -- now appears to be officially attached. It's not entirely surprising that Lucasfilm would focus on Obi-Wan, since this film has been rumored to be in development for some time now. Plus, the most recent actor to play the Jedi master, Ewan McGregor, has repeatedly said that he's interested in reprising the role (which was originated by the late Sir Alec Guinness in Episodes IV-VI).
What makes this rumor a little hard to swallow, though, is that publicly, Lucasfilm has declared that it wants to continue focusing on Han, with the next "Star Wars Story" film likely following in "Solo"'s footsteps, and highlighting Han's relationship with Chewie. Just this week, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy had to walk back claims that Lando (played by Donald Glover in "Solo") would be the next one getting a standalone.
Then there's that plot. According to one Twitter user (a self-declared "Star Wars" expert), at least part of it is lifted straight from the official synopsis of a 2014 novel called "Kenobi: Star Wars Legends." Sure, "Kenobi" could have been used as source material for this upcoming film, but the wording is so similar that it seems more than a little fishy.
On the left, @TMZ reporting the synopsis of an Obi-Wan movie.
On the right, the Amazon synopsis of the Legends novel Kenobi.
Don't fall for this stuff, people. pic.twitter.com/pnkJBwPAB5
— Anthony (@AnthonyTaylor_) May 17, 2018
Whatever the truth is, we don't expect Lucasfilm/Disney to tip their hand until they're absolutely ready. We're going to take this rumor with a large grain of salt for now, and wait for further confirmation from the higher-ups. Stay tuned.
[via: TMZ, h/t The Playlist]