Obi-Wan Kenobi will premiere on May 27th, 2022, which means there is still time to hone your Obi-Wan knowledge. Especially since Disney+ is generously helping us out with the Obi-Wan Kenobi collection. The collection is a mixture of live-action and animated Star Wars shows and movies that encompass Obi-Wan’s full story. In all, the Obi-Wan collection includes: The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith, A New Hope, Star Wars Rebels, and Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
This collection will see us through the prequels with Ewan McGregor, the animated Obi-Wan, and even A New Hope with Alec Guinness’ Obi-Wan. It is a massive collection that truly celebrates the character of Obi-Wan and gives casual fans guidance on how to prepare for the miniseries. Now, we’re also going to help and show you how to watch the Obi-Wan collection in chronological order.
1. Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
The Phantom Menace follows Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and his apprentice Obi-Wan (McGregor), who have been dispatched to settle a trade dispute. Unbeknownst to them, the trade dispute will have them contending with the return of the mysterious Lord of the Sith. Along the way, they also meet a young boy, Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd) who is unusually strong in the Force.
While the film received mixed reviews, it is a good introduction to Obi-Wan. Viewers will get to see Obi-Wan long before he was a Jedi master—when he was still a young apprentice. The future fallout between Obi-Wan and Anakin will also be more understandable after this film. While Anakin is a very young boy when Obi-Wan takes him on as his apprentice, many forget how young Obi-Wan himself was. He lost his master and then quickly had to take on an apprentice of his own. His self-blame in Obi-Wan Kenobi will be much more heartbreaking seeing how young he was at the beginning of it all.
2. Star Wars: Attack of the Clones
Attack of the Clones takes place about 10-years after the events of The Phantom Menace. The film features Obi-Wan and Anakin (Hayden Christensen), whom he has taken on as his apprentice. Together, the two are investigating an assassination attempt on Senator Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman), as the Galaxy remains on the brink of civil war.
This is the film in which Christensen debuted his iconic role as Anakin. Meanwhile, Obi-Wan and Anakin’s relationship/bond becomes more apparent in this film. Sadly, though, their master-student relationship is already showing signs of conflict. In the 10-years since The Phantom Menace, Anakin has grown powerful, but also rash and arrogant. He thinks that Obi-Wan is holding him back and finds more solace in his relationship with Padmé. This film really delves into the foundation what exactly went wrong between Obi-Wan and Anakin.
3. Star Wars: The Clone Wars
The Clone Wars is an animated series that takes place between The Phantom Menace and Revenge of the Sith. This series mainly explores the conflict between the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems. The Confederacy of Independent Systems is a movement run by Count Dooku (Corey Burton) that strives to pit planetary systems seeking secession against the Republic. Matt Lanter serves as the voice of Anakin in the series, while James Arnold Taylor voices Obi-Wan.
The Clone Wars ran for 7 seasons and consists of 133 episodes in total. While this is a lot to get through, it gives vital context to the live-action Obi-Wan. Particularly, it hones in on the true bond between Obi-Wan and Anakin. We get to see these two on numerous missions together, and even saving each other’s lives occasionally. On top of that, there is plenty of good-natured bickering and teasing between the two. The Clone Wars shows a side of Obi-Wan and Anakin’s bond that the films really couldn’t encompass.
5. Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith
Revenge of the Sith takes place three years after the onset of the Clone Wars. Together, Anakin and Obi-Wan rescue Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) from General Grevious. However, the Jedi council is highly suspicious of Palpatine, despite Anakin developing a close bond with him. Palpatine, who is secretly a Sith Lord, tempts Anakin with the power of the Force. Anakin, who has had a vision of his wife dying in childbirth, is eager for the power to save her. He then turns to the Dark Side and is named Palpatine’s apprentice, Darth Vader.
Of all the shows and films in the Obi-Wan collection, Revenge of the Sith is the most important to watch. Obi-Wan Kenobi is going to be a direct continuation of the film’s story. Meanwhile, this film really sets the stage for the kind of grief and heartbreak Obi-Wan is likely experience in Obi-Wan Kenobi. Not only did he lose Anakin to the Dark Side, but he was forced to fight his former apprentice. After years of bonding and practically raising Anakin, Obi-Wan had to leave him for dead. Not only that, but now he is tasked with watching over another young Jedi boy and Anakin’s son, Luke.
6. Obi-Wan Kenobi
Once Obi-Wan Kenobi premieres, it will fit right here in the Obi-Wan collection. This series takes place 10-years after the events of Revenge of the Sith. Obi-Wan is self-exiling in Tatooine where he watches over a young Luke Skywalker (Grant Feely). However, Darth Vader is still gaining power and the Inquisitors are hunting all remaining Jedi. Obi-Wan is going to have to face the Inquisitors, and likely his former apprentice, as well. There is going to be a lot of emotion, heartbreak, and nostalgia as we see McGregor and Christensen reprise their roles after 17-years.
7. Star Wars Rebels
Star Wars Rebels takes place roughly five years before the events of A New Hope. The series follows the emergence of a rebellion against the Galactic Empire, which is still continuing to hunt Jedi. Obi-Wan is not one of the lead characters in this series. Instead, he has several guest appearances where his devotion to Luke and his desire to protect Jedi is expressed. While not specifically focused on Obi-Wan, Rebels does prominently feature the Inquisitors. A lot of the Ghost Crew’s efforts are also reminiscent of Obi-Wan’s work. This series will likely serve as a great continuation and expansion of Obi-Wan Kenobi.
8. Star Wars: A New Hope
A New Hopes takes place about 20-years after the events of Revenge of the Sith. The Galactic Empire is still in power and is constructing the Death Star. However, the rebellion is still very much alive and the plans for the Death Star are stolen. The plans come into the hands of Princess Leia (Carrie Fischer), a secret rebel leader, and she hides them before being captured and held hostage by Darth Vader (David Prowse). Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Obi-Wan (Guinness), and Han Solo (Harrison Ford) team up to rescue Leia and aid the Rebel Alliance.
Obi-Wan is much older in this film and is portrayed by Guinness. You will definitely want to watch A New Hope after Obi-Wan Kenobi, as it will serve as a wrap-up for Obi-Wan’s story as a whole. It will also show the final confrontation between Obi-Wan and Anakin. While the film is a send-off for Obi-Wan, it also depicts his legacy. Obi-Wan kept his word to protect Luke and to later challenge the Galactic Empire. He not only kept his word but ensured that the rebellion would live on even when he passed.
(featured image: 20th Century Fox)
