Star Wars Fans Got To Live Their Dream As Extras In Disney+'s Obi-Wan Kenobi Series
Sometimes "Star Wars" fans can be the worst. Sometimes they're the best people in the world. Sometimes they get really, really lucky. This is one of those times. According to Variety, some hardcore fans got to be extras in the upcoming Disney+ series "Obi-Wan Kenobi," which stars Ewan McGregor. The news comes from "Pen15" star Maya Erskine, who will be in the spinoff series. She told the site's podcast "Just for Variety:"
"The extras were incredible on the set, and a lot of them were mega 'Star Wars' fans ... One guy, he was so nice and he lifted up his sleeves and had 'Star Wars' tattoos over his whole body. And they build droids. There are lot of 'Star Wars' fans that build droids, and then the production companies will rent [them] from the fans."
I know a lot of people who build droids. No kidding. I think a few phone calls are in order. Anway, Erskine also said that she got to bring her baby to set (which she has with her fiancé, "This Is Us" actor Michael Angarano). "I wanted to wrap him in a shawl and have him pass as an extra in 'Star Wars.'" Well, yes! This is only logic. I wonder if the extras knew what show they were on.
The Force Is With These Fans
There isn't a ton of information out there about "Obi-Wan Kenobi," but we do know a few things. Jar Jar Binks won't be in the series, which is just fine, though Ahmed Best, the actor who played him, is supportive of the series and its stars.
Thanks for the love, but I will not be in this series. As much as I would've loved to be a part of it. But I'm ecstatic to see folks who I love dearly back together doing great things. https://t.co/5bzLq9yslh
— Ahmed BEst (@ahmedbest) March 29, 2021
"Obi-Wan Kenobi" stars a returning Ewan McGregor as the Jedi Master and is written by Joby Harold and directed by Deborah Chow. Here's the synopsis:
The story begins 10 years after the dramatic events of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith where Kenobi faced his greatest defeat, the downfall and corruption of his best friend and Jedi apprentice, Anakin Skywalker turned evil Sith Lord Darth Vader
We also know that Ewan McGregor got to act with a Stormtrooper for the first time (he had only shared the screen with Clone Troopers), and that he has a scene with a little Jawa. The cast also includes Hayden Christensen as Darth Vader, Joel Edgerton (who played Uncle Owen in "Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith"), Moses Ingram, Bonnie Piesse (who played Aunt Beru), Kumail Nanjiani, Indira Varma, Rupert Friend, O'Shea Jackson Jr., Sung Kang, Simone Kessell, and Benny Safdie.
We've also gotten a look at cool concept art, and there is a teaser that was released on Disney+ Day — only available on Disney+ for some reason. Hopefully, we'll see another one as the new year starts. The series will premiere in 2022, but we don't have a firm date yet.