Now that’s a name I’ve not heard in a long time.

In possibly the most anticipated move of the D23 Expo in Anaheim, CA, during a Disney+ panel, Lucasfilm announced development on the long-rumored, much-awaited Obi-Wan Kenobi miniseries, featuring the return of the legendary Ewan McGregor as the wise Jedi Master in exile on the planet Tatooine during the reign of the Empire (yes, McGregor’s participation is confirmed, as he was on stage at D23 touting the new project).

Rumors about the series had been flooding the internet periodically ever since Disney acquired Lucasfilm in October 2012, testing both the patience of fans and the definition of words like “confirmed” and “definite,” but it is now officially a go!

While little is known about the plot of the series, by necessity, it will be a more intimate and personal look at the classic character than we have ever gotten. Although his exile has been assumed by fans to be relatively uneventful, 19 years in the desert is a long time for the Negotiator himself to run afoul of various Imperial entanglements and criminal affairs. Marvel’s Star Wars comic series has already explored a tense run-in with the thugs of the notorious Jabba the Hutt early in his time on Tatooine, when the gangster’s forces began encroaching on the territory of the Lars moisture farm, where young Luke Skywalker was growing up.

The falling-out between Owen Lars, Luke’s uncle, and Kenobi is also ripe for storytelling. Lars lies to Luke about his father and keeps him from Kenobi, the “crazy old wizard,” for Luke’s protection. His heart is clearly in the right place, but we all know how this plays out. What was it that made him so fearful of Kenobi?

Finally, much has been said about John Jackson Miller’s (now non-canonical) Star Wars novel Kenobi. It portrays Kenobi as a mysterious vigilante of sorts, protecting a moisture farm from the terror of Tusken Raiders while trying to maintain a low profile and reconcile his new hermitage with the principles of a Jedi. Perhaps this book could be adapted to television.

Whatever the story, fans are rejoicing at the return of this Jedi. It remains to be seen when we will get to say, “hello, there,” to a new Kenobi story, but stay tuned for more details.

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