New Obi-Wan Kenobi Disney+ Plot Synopsis Teases Trouble With the Empire

By Savannah Sanders Updated:
Obi-Wan Kenobi Vader Empire

May 25, 2022 will be a day long remembered by the Star Wars fan base. At last, Ewan McGregor from the Star Wars prequel trilogy will reprise his role as the franchise's original Jedi Master in Obi-Wan Kenobi for Disney+. Not only will the series connect both of George Lucas' trilogies, but it will finally tell a story that Star Wars fans have been wanting for years. 

Lucasfilm's third series for Disney+ is also set to serve as a sort of prequel-era reunion. In addition to McGregor, Hayden Christensen will return as both Anakin and Darth Vader, as well as Jimmy Smits as Senator Bail Organa

Thanks to the show's first trailer, fans know the Ewan McGregor-led series features Star Wars Rebels Inquisitors and a young Luke Skywalker; but now, Disney+ shed a little more light on what audiences can expect ahead of Obi-Wan Kenobi's premiere.

Disney+ Hints at Obi-Wan Kenobi's Problems with the Empire

Obi-Wan Kenobi
Star Wars

Disney+'s official synopsis for Obi-Wan Kenobi now refers to the Jedi Master's crucial mission amidst the reign of the Empire and the trouble he will face as a result. 

“During the reign of the Galactic Empire, former Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi embarks on a crucial mission. Kenobi must confront allies turned enemies and face the wrath of the Empire.”

As the series is set ten years after the events of Order 66 and Revenge of the Sith, Emperor Palpatine's Galactic Empire is clearly established, having reached its first-decade milestone. No doubt the upcoming series will be sure to highlight this reality.

The synopsis also noted that during Obi-Wan Kenobi's mission, he will confront allies who have become enemies and even face the wrath of the Galactic Empire.

Now, this is somewhat different from the previous synopsis fans have been analyzing, which included Kenobi watching over Luke Skywalker on Tatooine while evading the Empire's Jedi hunters or Inquisitors.

In fact, this newly confirmed information supports rumors and leaks about why Obi-Wan may be forced to leave Tatooine and possibly sets the stage for how he and Darth Vader will cross sabers for their highly anticipated rematch

Obi-Wan Kenobi's Potential Imperial Entanglements

While Kenobi and Vader's lightsaber duel is anything but a secret, just how the former Padawan crosses paths with his former Master remains to be seen. Since the synopsis now claims Kenobi will face the wrath of the Empire, does that mean only Vader? Or will Kenobi face capture, imprisonment, and possibly the Emperor himself

The Disney+ synopsis also teases Kenobi confronting allies who have become enemies. Since Vader, again, is a given and way too obvious, the question is who else knew the Jedi is now willing to betray him? 

Fans have long speculated that Temuera Morrison as Captain Rex and Rosario Dawson's Ahsoka could appear in this series, and there are some clues in the trailer that hint at that possibility.

However, Ahsoka seems like an unlikely candidate to double-cross Kenobi, considering she knows what it's like to be betrayed. Rex also seems unlikely, since he has removed his chip and even turned on his clone trooper brothers to do the right thing. 

Therefore, it's possible that this synopsis is referring to the Inquisitors as some were former Jedi. In fact, Rupert Friend's Grand Inquisitor was a former temple guard. 

Another possibility is Joel Edgerton's Owen Lars. Star Wars fans know Luke's Uncle Owen wasn't a fan of Kenobi in A New Hope. While the Tatooine farmer accepted an infant Luke from Kenobi at the end of Revenge of the Sith, perhaps their relationship will suffer - and even come to betrayal - if Kenobi's presence on Tatooine poses problems for the Lars family during the series.

Fortunately, Star Wars fans won't have to wait much longer to find out. Obi-Wan Kenobi is set to debut on Disney+ on May 25. 

- About The Author: Savannah Sanders
Savannah Sanders joined The Direct as a writer in 2020. In addition to writing for The Direct's Star Wars, Marvel, and DC teams, Savannah specializes in the relationship between Disney's blockbuster franchises and the Disney Parks.