In 1999, George Lucas began the prequel Star Wars with The Phantom Menace. But the director and architect of the universe Star Wars gave up on a completely crazy idea regarding Obi-Wan Kenobi and his master Qui-Gon Jin.
Star Wars : the death of Obi-Wan
Crowned with glory by a trilogy Star Wars which took him to the pinnacle of global entertainment, George Lucas decided to return in the late 1990s to his galaxy far, far away. But upon release of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace in 1999, the American director faces wave of criticism from fanswho do not support certain additions to the saga, notably the midi-chlorians – microorganisms present in all species in the galaxy and which maintain their relationship with the Force – and Jar Jar Binks. The actor Ahmed Best was also very impacted by these criticisms. He recently became in the universe Star Wars in the series The Mandalorianin which he plays Jedi Master Kelleran Beq, who saved Grogu from certain death during Order 66.
If today the film is showered with praise by nostalgic fans, who over the years have ended up saluting the prelogy, The Phantom Menace could have been very different. Indeed, the artist Iain McCaig, who worked on the feature film, returned to the secrets of writing and filming the prelogy in an interview published on the official website of the license on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of The Phantom Menace. We learn that initially, the old Jedi master was to be called Obi-Wan Kenobi while his padawan was named Qui-Gon Jin. When his master died at the hands of Darth Maul, Qui-Gon took the name Obi-Wan.
It was very poignant that at the end, as Obi-Wan dies and Qui-Gon defeats Darth Maul and stays with his master who passes away, he not only takes on his master's quest, but he also takes his name . Qui-Gon becomes Obi-Wan.
This change was to explain a mysterious line from the film Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hopein which Obi-Wan Kenobi states: “Obi-Wan Kenobi… This name seems to resurface from beyond the grave.“ If in fact, this quote refers to the exile of several decades into which Obi-Wan entered in order to flee the Empire which was hunting the Jedi, George Lucas initially wanted to give it a completely different meaning.
What do you think of this anecdote? Do you think George Lucas was right to abandon this idea? Don’t hesitate to tell us in the comments area.
