Introduction
Disney’s approach to its Marvel and Star Wars shows has always been unique and unpredictable. While it’s customary for successful shows to receive a second season, the decision ultimately depends on the overall direction of the franchise. Marvel shows have seen a variety of outcomes: some transition into movies (such as “WandaVision” and “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier”), some receive second seasons (like “Loki” and “What If…?”), while others remain in limbo indefinitely (such as “Hawkeye” and “Moon Knight”).
The upcoming slate of Star Wars shows may follow a similar pattern. While “The Mandalorian” appears to have a long future ahead, “The Book of Boba Fett” may not return. Now, “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” set to debut this Friday, initially pitched as a one-off miniseries, might expand beyond its original scope.
One significant factor influencing this decision is the tremendous enjoyment the cast experienced during the production. There is a possibility that they may want to continue the journey. Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, shared her thoughts with Entertainment Weekly:
“Mainly because everybody came together and had such an incredible time,” said Kennedy. “Ewan had an incredible time. Hayden had an incredible time. So certainly from that point of view, everybody involved would love to see this not end. But we have to really spend our time asking the question: Why would we do it? If we were to decide to do anything more with the Obi-Wan character, we’d have to really answer the question why?”
Ewan McGregor, who portrays Obi-Wan Kenobi, expressed his interest in continuing the journey:
“Would I like to make another one? Yeah, I would like to make another one.”
Potential Challenges and Considerations
From a storytelling perspective, making a second season a reality may present difficulties. The series was initially intended to serve as a bridge between McGregor’s portrayal of Obi-Wan and the character’s appearance in “A New Hope.” There are also additional complications due to storylines in “Rebels,” including Obi-Wan’s final encounter with Darth Maul, which technically holds canon status. Compared to other upcoming Star Wars series, “Obi-Wan Kenobi” faces certain limitations due to its placement in the timeline (for example, “Ahsoka” takes place in a longer gap between Episodes 6 and 7).
The true viability of a second season can only be determined once the entirety of the show is seen by the audience. Given the length of the season and Disney’s preference for episodic releases rather than binge-watching, it will be six weeks from Friday until we have a complete picture. More updates will surely follow as the series kicks off this week.