The latest rumors suggest Ewan McGregor will play Obi-Wan Kenobi again in Star Wars: Episode IX. For several years, speculation has held the Jedi Master would be the subject of his own spinoff movie, but recently doubt has been cast over that project. Lucasfilm is reportedly putting planned spinoffs like Obi-Wan on hold for the time being while they reevaluate their strategy following Solo: A Star Wars Story's disappointment at the box office. Additionally, Obi-Wan allegedly lost attached director Stephen Daldry a while ago, with no reported replacement found.

As fans wait to see if McGregor's Obi-Wan will be the star of an upcoming movie, it's easy for viewers to forget the actor has already been involved in one of Disney's Star Wars movies. He made a voiceover cameo in The Force Awakens, speaking to Rey during her Force vision in Maz Kanata's castle. If the newest information is to be believed, McGregor could also help close out the Skywalker saga next December.

According to The Sun, McGregor will "secretly" shoot scenes with Star Wars 9 director J.J. Abrams. There's no word on how large the actor's role would be, but it presumably would be a small part as a Force ghost, similar to Kenobi's appearances in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.


Since this is an unverified rumor, moviegoers are advised to take this all with a grain of salt. There's no denying Obi-Wan is an integral figure in the Skywalker saga, having trained both Anakin and Luke at various points in his life. However, it would be a bit strange to see him return for Episode IX. Similar to Yoda (who was previously rumored for this movie), Obi-Wan has virtually no connection to Rey, who is this trilogy's main Force-using protagonist. If Star Wars 9 is to work a Force ghost into the story, the most logical option would be Luke, who trained Rey in The Last Jedi. Abrams could stage a reunion between teacher and student, perhaps depicting the third lesson Episode VIII never got to. Mark Hamill has already talked about returning and is up for it if that's what the filmmakers want.

There is an outside chance this could happen. After all, Yoda was frequently rumored for The Last Jedi and Lucasfilm made no official confirmation, saving the reveal as a premiere surprise. That being said, Yoda's inclusion in Episode VIII made sense; the broken and weary Luke needed one final lesson from the wise alien to snap him out of his state of mind and become the legend the galaxy needed. There isn't such an obvious storytelling reason for Obi-Wan or Yoda to return to the fold this time around. As Rey said, Luke died with peace and purpose, so he should be able to come to Rey in any time of need she has to offer advice.