Obi-Wan Kenobi series: speculation

It's great to see Ewan and Hayden together again and I love Arch Duke's imperishable enthusiasm. Nevertheless, a surfeit of PR interviews has never been my thing.

Just a few thoughts:



I can probably agree with you there. Hayden was young, and so it seems to me, receptive to whatever Lucas had to say. He wanted to be directed and wanted to know he was doing a good job -- doing the role justice. That led to good results and to Lucas being very complimentary of Hayden as an actor.


It's nice that Ewan speaks fondly of George here, but painting Lucas as a happy-go-lucker fella whom it's fun to hang out with hardly does justice to him as a visionary artist, a masterful businessman, or a dedicated philanthropist. How many times has he moaned about greenscreen by comparison? His words carry a mildly condescending tone of George as a loveable -- and possibly eccentric -- uncle. I clicked the link and read the article, hoping there was more, but there wasn't. While Ewan himself has a likeable personality, he is not redeemed for being a self-centered, stuck-up arsehole in the past just because he puts on a nice face for the press. I'm alluding to what Jonathan Rinzler previously wrote about.

It doesn't sound like either Ewan or Hayden has much of a relationship with Lucas anymore, so their words are pretty empty. Maybe they'd like to say more in a private moment, but they are publicly vague and comically vanilla. It's just more Disney employees tip-toe-ing around the whole GEORGE LUCAS MADE THE WHOLE THING AND GAVE US OUR CAREERS BUT HE DOESN'T HAVE ANY LEGAL SAY-SO OVER STAR WARS ANYMORE SO WE'RE GONNA JUST BRREZE OVER IT issue. They're always so careful with what they say. Rinzler was one of the few -- perhaps because he suddenly became an ex-Disney employee -- to deliver some truth bombs, only to be threatened by Disney and have his blog rapidly shut down.

That, to me, says everything.



He's already said he had more fun making this miniseries than all three prequels combined. But hey: George is a fun guy! Did he ever have a word for the haters of Jar Jar? Did he understand his own character enough to recognise the irony and say, "Obi-Wan thought Jar Jar was a pathetic lifeform to begin with, but he eventually stopped being a dipshit and grew as a person in his capacity to perceive and understand the world and all its complexities"? Did he ever say, "There was a bloody good story being told in the prequels and I wish people would give George a little love for what he did with the backstory"? Or: "These are some of the most visionary films I've ever been involved with and I was very glad I did them and people need to let it go"? When Ewan was needed in the trenches, he wasn't there.

That said: This post isn't intended to be "Have a go at Ewan Day" or anything. Ewan is a bit more grown up now and probably more comfortable in his own skin. He better be. After all, Anakin did save his skin ten nine times. 


Yes. That is a robust defence. It's just like something one of us might say. It's obvious that the prequels left the biggest (positive) impression on Hayden of all the recurring cast members. Other than the mild mentioning of George Lucas above (which is more a Disney thing than a Hayden thing), I can't really fault him for anything. Ironically, for someone accused of playing a "whiny punk" -- and, let's be honest, young Anakin has his issues (or there'd be no story) -- Hayden's conduct has always been exemplary.



Hayden is a mellow, introverted guy (as you said). If that makes him weird, let's have more weirdness in the world. Admittedly, I don't know who those people are, because I've only seen love and support for Hayden since these interviews came out. But you're absolutely right that Hayden isn't a hype agent. He has a relaxed, agreeable personality. He exudes a quiet strength. Personally, I thrive on his low-key energy. He's like Qui-Gon at the dinner table. Or, heck, AOTC Anakin at the dinner table. Nothing wrong with that.



Now, here, I fully agree!!! What a video!!! Even the setting, the lighting, the videography, and the mic-ing are all excellent (although the video image seems to have been pumped up in post). Their rapport is wonderful in this one. It's like being there with them and having a quiet pizza night in. As long as nobody orders Hawaiian for Ewan. 

They genuinely seem to enjoy each other's company a great deal. Hasn't Lucas always had the best casting? Look at the chemistry between the OT leads. Nice to see his instincts remained strong on the prequels even in this regard. 

I won't do a full breakdown, but there's a very wholesome moment (as you point out, AD) where Hayden remembers the name of an assistant who managed the lightsaber props. People in the comments on YouTube are very approving of that. And yes, what a fine lack of pretentiousness Hayden seems to have. 

It's also kinda interesting that Ewan says he's a speed demon and has loved motorbikes from a young age, while Hayden isn't and doesn't! Of course, Hayden has said elsewhere that he liked sports growing up, which resulted in him being physically adept and doing a lot of his own stunts on the prequels. But, I guess, when Anakin is buzzing on adrenaline in the airspeeder scene, and Obi-Wan is nearly crapping himself as he tells Anakin to slow down, we can now really call that good acting! This little surprising inversion of the real-life duo reminds me of a few moments in the prequels where Obi-Wan swiftly springs into action, while Anakin fumbles. People used to say, "My God! Nothing in the prequels makes sense. Why the hell does Obi-Wan leap through a window instead of Anakin???" Well, now, there's something of a real-life irony in the pair's psychology backing it up.


"I sense it, too!"




"Pull up, Anakin. Pull up..."




Now, with this reaction of Ewan's, I'm prepared to forgive virtually all sins! 

Maybe I have more in common with Ewan than I realise. A Marvel hater? Okay, Ewan, you can come round for tea.