One of the biggest questions fans have about the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi series is how much we’ll see of the iconic Darth Vader. A part of that question seemed to be answered by the casting of Hayden Christensen in the show. After all, why bring back the actor if Vader wasn’t going to play a crucial role. And now, in a new article from Vanity Fair reviewing all the Star Wars TV shows, we get more insight into what Darth Vader’s appearance will look like in Obi-Wan Kenobi.
In fact, we learn that Darth Vader almost didn’t appear in the series at all in its earliest iterations. But in the article, he is referred to as being “the missing component” from the show as it began to come together. Michelle Rejwan, an executive producer of Obi-Wan Kenobi shares in the context of bringing Vader back for the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, “We have these what-if conversations 24/7… It’s fun to, in your head, peruse the Star Wars toy store. ‘Oh, we could have this character, or feature that ship.’ But at the end of the day, we really need to keep it pure about why.”
For Deborah Chow, the director of the series, the why is fairly specific. In a way it’s obvious, but also, an incredibly complex story to parse.
For me, across the prequels, through the original trilogy, there’s a love-story dynamic with these two that goes through the whole thing…I felt like it was quite hard to not [include] the person who left Kenobi in such anguish in the series.
The article notes, “What intrigued her was the idea that despite what Vader had become, Kenobi might still care deeply about him.” And Chow adds, “I don’t know how you could not…I don’t think he ever will not care about him. What’s special about that relationship is that they loved each other.”
While #ObiWan anguishes over his past, Anakin Skywalker is a man at war with himself. Showrunner Deborah Chow tells V.F. that what intrigued her most about the series was the thread between them: “I don’t think [Obi-Wan] ever will not care about him… They loved each other.” pic.twitter.com/E6uvJVQl4k
— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) May 17, 2022
But does Vader still care deeply about Obi-Wan? And even if he does, what does Vader caring deeply look like at this point. Probably the galactic manhunt we see in Obi-Wan Kenobi‘s trailer.
Hayden Christensen, Anakin Skywalker’s actor in the Star Wars prequels notes, “A lot of my conversations with Deborah were about wanting to convey this feeling of strength, but also coupled with imprisonment. There is this power and vulnerability, and I think that’s an interesting space to explore.”
No doubt fans will think so too. Although the Obi-Wan Kenobi series will have a lot going on, it seems clear the relationship between Obi-Wan and Darth Vader will live at the heart of it. Christensen thinks it’s an interesting place to explore and we have to agree. Darth Vader, Obi-Wan, and company will return when the Obi-Wan Kenobi series releases on May 27.
