Star Wars: 10 Ways Obi-Wan's Story Could Have Turned Out Differently
As Star Wars fans gear up for the release of Kenobi, it's definitely worth revisiting the character of Obi-Wan Kenobi. First introduced in A New Hope, he soon became iconic within pop culture. Here was a Jedi Knight who was brave, loyal, and was always willing to stand up to evil - even if it came at the cost of his life. Still, long after his death, the fans' love for him continued to grow as they saw what a fine friend, fierce soldier, and wise individual he had always been based on the prequel movies.
His story has a good ending. However, that's not to say that it couldn't have turned out differently. All it would have taken was for one creative decision to be denied and that would have been it. The movies could have then turned out differently. So how could Obi-Wan's journey have been different?
10 He Could Have Stayed An Apprentice
In 1999's The Phantom Menace, Obi-Wan is introduced as an apprentice to Qui-Gin Jinn. Together, the duo helps the Galactic Republic in their ongoing war against the Separatists, even defeating Darth Maul. Obi-Wan then earns his right to become a Jedi Master - going on to train a young Anakin Skywalker.
Had Qui-Gon not died via Darth Maul's hand on Naboo, then Kenobi could feasibly have stayed an apprentice. The way Qui-Gon mentors him through the movie certainly suggests he wasn't ready for the trials. And this was only mooted once Anakin came into the picture, with Qui-Gon evidently happy to dump his apprentice in order to take on a new one instead.
9 He Could Have Been Denied
Qui-Gon's dying wish is for Obi-Wan to train Anakin. Though the Jedi council hadn't taken to the former slave, Liam Neeson's character is determined to get this done. After his mentor's heartbreaking death, Obi-Wan then talks things over with Yoda.
Yoda gives the green light for Kenobi to take Anakin as his apprentice, knowing he would be pretty harsh to turn down Qui-Gon's dying request. However, had he not allowed sentiment to cloud his judgment, everything could have been different. Obi-Wan would have been eased into his new role, rather than being thrown in at the deep end. And who knows, he may even have taken an alternate path in his life as a Jedi.
8 He Could Have Been Killed On Geonosis
Obi-Wan lands himself in a spot of bother during the events of Attack of the Clones, with the Jedi Master captured by Bounty Hunter Jango Fett on the planet of Geonosis. He's then sentenced to death by Count Dooku and comes precariously close to meeting his end at the Petranaki Arena alongside both Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala, who are also imprisoned.
While the trio does well by themselves, they would have all likely perished if the Jedi Council hadn't turned up. Without key figures, such as Yoda and Mace Windu on the battlefield, the Republic may even have fallen that day. Alas, fans will never know for sure.
7 He Could Have Fallen In Love
Fans of solely the Star Wars movies will be surprised at this one. Obi-Wan always appeared somewhat dismissive of the idea of love, often criticizing Anakin for his failure to keep his deep feelings of affection for Padme Amidala to himself. Yet, big watchers of The Clone Wars will know the notion of romance isn't entirely out of the question for McGregor and Alec Guinness' character.
Obi-Wan has a close connection to Satine, a Mandalorian duchess, during that TV show. The pair are close and seem to enjoy each other's company but, tragically, she's killed off by a Maul, who is hellbent on revenge following his defeat on Naboo many years previously. It's definitely a big case of what could have been.
6 He Could Have Faced Palpatine
In Revenge of the Sith, Obi-Wan is heartbroken when he discovers Anakin's fall to the dark side. This happens on the planet of Coruscant, with McGregor's character and Yoda then planning an assault on the newly-formed Imperial Empire in the aftermath. Obi-Wan asks his friend if he can fight Palpatine, therefore sparing him the prospect of a duel with his old apprentice. Unfortunately for him, Yoda deems it a mission only he alone can embark on.
It's definitely a lightsaber duel that would have been thrilling to see play out. Palpatine would probably have been too strong, especially given how he gets the better of Yoda. But, given Kenobi trumped Darth Vader in their own battle, he could have surprised everyone. Out of all the potential fights fans have never got to see, this would sit high on most fans' lists.
5 He Could Have Been Killed On Mustafar
Speaking of Obi-Wan's sensational duel with Anakin, it's time to talk about that. It's probably the best lightsaber duel in Star Wars history, with the actors, special effects and sounds all making it a cinematic masterpiece. Fortunately for the good guys of the galaxy, Kenobi betters his old friend, leaving him to die on the fiery banks on Mustafar.
Yet, it could certainly have turned out differently. With Anakin so full of hate and rage, he turned into an extremely powerful adversary. The Revenge of the Sith video game even had an alternate clip that showed Darth Vader murdering Obi-Wan, before proceeding to do the same to Palpatine. It's just a little teaser of how things could have played out differently, one fans would have lapped up the chance to see more of.
4 He Could Have Saved Anakin
Then there's the other flip of the coin. It's mentioned above what could have happened had Obi-Wan been killed by Anakin on Mustafar. But what if, instead of leaving Hayden Christensen's character behind, he had saved him instead?
It certainly would have been risky. Anakin hadn't exactly shown any previous signs of turning back to the light and, with Palpatine unlikely to want to give up his prized apprentice, would have liked hunted the Jedi down until he got him back. Either that or they could have become friends again. Now that would have changed everything.
3 He Could Never Have Become A Force Ghost
Training to be a Jedi is one thing. But just because a person practices that religion doesn't necessarily mean they are going to become a force ghost once they die. They're fairly prominent in the original trilogy, with Yoda and later Anakin Skywalker joining Obi-Wan in the Star Wars afterlife.
Had it not been for Qui-Gon Jinn mentoring Yoda, as revealed in Revenge of the Sith, then Obi-Wan may never have learnt the secret. That means Luke Skywalker would have grown up without being protected, therefore potentially being eaten alive by the Tusken Raiders in A New Hope.
2 He Could Have Lost To Maul
For many years, Maul was dead. Killed off by Kenobi in The Phantom Menace, it was then decided to bring the character back. This first happened in The Clone Wars, with the former Sith Lord later appeared in Star Wars Rebels. In that show, the villain and Obi-Wan finally get the rematch fans had been craving to see.
It isn't long, lasting a mere three strokes, and it's fortunate Maul had been weakened over the years. Obi-Wan reassures the Sith Lord the Chosen One will become and finally destroy Palpatine, who has caused them both so much torment, once and for all.
1 He Could Have Doomed Everybody
For the most part, Obi-Wan is a stellar mentor to Luke. But he very nearly leads to the deaths of Han Solo, Leia Organa and Chewbacca on Bespin when they're captured by Darth Vader in The Empire Strikes Back.
Obi-Wan implores Luke to stay still but, had he not taken their bait, all sorts of things could have gone wrong. Han, having been frozen in Carbonite, may have stayed imprisoned for the rest of his life. Leia and Chewbacca, meanwhile, would have been killed. Obi-Wan got a lot of things right but he very nearly sentenced everybody to a miserable existence.
from ScreenRant - Feed
Join Our Email Newsletter Now!
Join over 1,897 people who get free and fresh content delivered automatically each time we publish.
