A month after that much-anticipated announcement that Ewan McGregor would be reprising his role as Obi-Wan Kenobi — not in a film, but in a series for streamer Disney+ — the project has a director, and the studio didn’t have to look far to find her: It’s Deborah Chow, whose credits include The Mandalorian.
The Hollywood Reporter’s scoop says that “it is unclear if Chow will direct the entire series, which is said to be either six or eight episodes, or part of the series”, but Lucasfilm’s confirmation of the story on StarWars.com suggests Chow will be the sole director, quoting Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy:
We really wanted to select a director who is able to explore both the quiet determination and rich mystique of Obi-Wan in a way that folds seamlessly into the Star Wars saga. Based on her phenomenal work developing our characters in The Mandalorian, I’m absolutely confident Deborah is the right director to tell this story.
[referenced url=”https://gizmodo.com.au/2019/08/hello-there-the-obi-wan-kenobi-show-is-officially-happening/” thumb=”https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/t_ku-large/y2kau9wuzwkmj6q3ymn7.png” title=”Hello There: The Obi-Wan Kenobi Show Is Officially Happening” excerpt=”Last week we heard murmurs that, after what has been years of umming and aahing, Ewan McGregor had finally signed a deal to return to the Star Wars galaxy as the legendary Jedi Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Now, Disney’s just made it official.”]
The Jon Favreau-created Mandalorian is slated for eight instalments with directors Dave Filoni (who’ll direct the premiere), Rick Famuyiwa, Bryce Dallas Howard and Taika Waititi (who has the finale) splitting duties with Chow. Chow’s credits also include episodes of American Gods, The Man in the High Castle, Lost in Space, Jessica Jones and Mr Robot.
Though we still don’t know who’ll be starring alongside McGregor in the series, which will explore Obi-Wan Kenobi’s life eight years after the events of Revenge of the Sith, we do know who’ll be writing the scripts: Hossein Amini (The Alienist, Drive, Snow White and the Huntsman), whose involvement was also confirmed today.
Chow, Amini and McGregor will also be among the show’s executive producers.