Disney's Investor Day 2020 brought a slew of amazing upcoming project announcements for a multitude of fandoms. One of the most highly anticipated series updates was for the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi series for Disney+, with Ewan McGregor returning as the titular character. Production was halted on the series due to the COVID-19 pandemic but has since been placed back on the schedule for production to resume in March 2021. However, the investor presentation brought an exciting surprise alongside its announcement, revealing that Hayden Christensen will be returning as Darth Vader.
Fans of the series are well aware of the volatile dynamic between the two characters throughout their history, from their introduction alongside Qui-Gon Jinn in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace when Anakin was just a child to their infamous altercation on Mustafar in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. However, given that Obi-Wan Kenobi is set between the events of Revenge of the Sith and before A New Hope, it makes one wonder how Vader will play into the series without retconning future events in the franchise.
Revenge of the Sith left Anakin severely wounded after his battle with Obi-Wan, resulting in his need for the notorious mechanical prosthesis and suit associated with Darth Vader. Up to this point in canon, the Jedi Master and his former apprentice wouldn't meet again until their fight on the Death Star in A New Hope, which results in Obi-Wan becoming one with the Force. That said, if Kenobi's solo outing has the two meet again in any capacity, the context of that confrontation will change drastically.
While little is known about Obi-Wan's story other than its overall placement in the Star Wars timeline, taking place nine years before the events of Episode IV, it would make for an interesting diversion from the film's canon to see Obi-Wan and Vader fight again and add more context to their now-iconic dialogue from their original fight. Vader tells Obi-Wan that when he last left him, he was the learner but he has since become much more powerful, meaning if the two duel again, it's fair to assume that the Sith Lord has a rough go of it.
Disney has found success with The Mandalorian and its ability to delve deeper into the lore and arcana of Star Wars. Given that the Disney+ series hasn't shied away from retconning varying aspects of the franchise's history, it would be no surprise if the powers that be opted to adjust what occurred between Obi-Wan and Vader to give the characters a deeper history going into the Original Trilogy. Whether fans will be open to the idea of altering the context of a major Star Wars moment remains to be seen, but it will still be entertaining to explore the mysterious post-Revenge of the Sith life of the famous Ben Kenobi.
Obi-Wan Kenobi is currently in development for Disney+ and is set to begin filming March 2021. Directed by Deborah Chow, the series stars Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen. It has yet to have an official release date announced.