Over the years, Star Wars has introduced many iconic and recognizable characters through its movies and ancillary media. One of these characters, however, nearly had a very different backstory when it came time to explore his past.
Obi-Wan Kenobi has been a part of the Star Wars saga since the first film’s release in 1977. Played by Sir Alec Guinness in the original trilogy, Obi-Wan served as a mentor to young Luke Skywalker, giving him his father’s old lightsaber and guiding him in the early stages of his journey to become a Jedi.
In 1999, George Lucas released The Phantom Menace, which kicked off the prequel trilogy and introduced a younger Obi-Wan, this time played by Ewan McGregor.
Collider noted that the young Obi-Wan was under the mentorship of Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, played by Liam Neeson. However, their relationship was initially intended to unfold differently, and Obi-Wan was set to have a different origin.
While speaking with StarWars.com, Iain McCaig, who worked in the art department for all three prequels, discussed the original plans for the master-apprentice relationship between Kenobi and Jinn.
He explained that early planning for The Phantom Menace involved a role reversal between the two characters: the master would have been Obi-Wan, with the apprentice as Qui-Gon. When the master died at the hands of a newly revealed Sith, Qui-Gon would take on the name Obi-Wan, fulfilling his master’s dying wish to train young Anakin Skywalker as a Jedi.
“That’s why when you see Alec Guinness in A New Hope, he puts his hood down and goes, ‘Obi-Wan? Now that’s a name I’ve not heard….’ Because he’s not Obi-Wan, he’s Qui-Gon. And right at the end, George changed it,” McCaig said.
The Star Wars saga is now available to stream on Disney+.
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