While the scream of frustration that welcomed “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” may have folks wary of new “Star Wars” movies, a lot has also broken right for the franchise’s episodic adaptations. “The Mandalorian” and “The Book of Boba Fett” were well-received by audiences, and the return of Ewan McGregor in the new “Obi-Wan Kenobi” series is something of a television event. McGregor, who remains the most-loved piece of the prequels, offers Disney an important bridge between the movies, animated shows, and live-action series that comprise the new “Star Wars” canon.
And with the “Obi-Wan Kenobi” press blitz underway in earnest, now is the time to learn more about the creative approach that director Deborah Chow and her team have taken to weave together these disparate threads. So, naturally, Chow used two comic book properties to contextualize her upcoming series. As reported by Total Film, Chow highlighted both “Joker” and “Logan” as reference points for the new show.
“I think I was the most excited about getting the opportunity to do a character-driven story, in a similar way — it’s a different tone — but something like Joker or Logan, where you take one character out of a big franchise and then you really have the time and you go a lot deeper with the character,” Chow said. “So, that to me seemed really exciting to get to do in Star Wars.”
In defense of Chow, when you read her comments in the full context, it’s clear she means the comparisons to be more reflective of the worldbuilding than the tone. Like those films, “Obi-Wan Kenobi” will take a character inexorably linked to franchise films and present them in a new context (while still honoring the surrounding narratives that made them popular). That balance between standalone and connected storytelling can be tricky for franchise properties, and for as much as “Joker” might elicit a strong emotional response, it is a successful example of to walk those lines.
Either way, it’s clear that Chow understands the importance of “Obi-Wan Kenobi” to a fanbase in transition. Here’s hoping that she’s able to create something that finally starts to move the “Star Wars” franchise beyond the same planets and families that have dominated its narratives for the past four-plus decades.
