Disney Has Announced the Kenobi Cast And It Is STACKED
(via Disney press release)
Obi-Wan Kenobi” is directed by Deborah Chow, director of two critically acclaimed episodes of “The Mandalorian,” Season 1.
The series also marks the return of Hayden Christensen in the role of Darth Vader.
Joining the cast are Moses Ingram, Joel Edgerton, Bonnie Piesse, Kumail Nanjiani, Indira Varma, Rupert Friend, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Sung Kang, Simone Kessell and Benny Safdie.
In case you're not familiar with the general concept of the series, here was the last big tease for it:
"Obi-Wan Kenobi begins 10 years after the dramatic events of Revenge of the Sith, where he faced his greatest defeat: the downfall and corruption of his best friend and Jedi apprentice, Anakin Skywalker turned-evil-Sith-Lord, Darth Vader. Our fans will be thrilled that Hayden Christensen will be returning in the role of Darth Vader. This will be the rematch of the century. The series is directed by Deborah Chow, coming off the great work she did with us as a director on Season 1 of The Mandalorian. Production will begin in March of next year. Here is an early look at Obi-Wan Kenobi."
Lets run through some of these castings real quick because some of them are AWESOME.
Kumail Nanjiani is a great comedian who you probably recognize from Silicon Valley, The Big Sick, or from getting rediculously jacked naturally for his upcoming role in The Eternals. He is extremely funny and has a fantastic delivery which makes him a great add for a star wars universe that is slowly filling up with comedians.
Joel Edgerton was obviously already in Star Wars, playing the younger version of Luke's Uncle Owen in Episode II and III. Since he is presumably reprising that role, that means there is actually a chance we may get to a see a young Luke Skywalker which is pretty awesome. Edgerton is also just a great actor, not that I think this is going to be a spot for him to display that.
HAYDEN CHRISTENSEN coming back was already confirmed a while back, but I just love to see this again. No, he isn't Daniel Day Lewis. But he was also given some of the worst dialogue in blockbuster history to work with by George Lucas! He also really loved the character and being part of the fandom.
Indira Varma is someone I mostly know from 2 HBO shows, Rome and Game of Thrones. She was really great in both shows, espeically as the freaky Ellaria Sand in the latter. Her scream after the red viper got his head bashed in? Chefs kiss.
Rupert Friend is a guy I mostly knew as the confused hitman from Homeland and the 1 of the 2 terrible Hitman (video game) movies. He recently shocked me with amazing comedic chops as Stalin's failson in Death of Stalin, though!
Like Edgerton, Bonnie Piesse was in Star Wars ep II and III (but as Lukes aunt, Beru). She hasn't been in much work I or you will recognize since, though.
Moses Ingram is a fresher face in the industry, but recently killed it in The Queens Gambit.
Former LCB Interviewee Benny Safdie getting a role was a HUGE shocker, but he is a great actor AND director. Fantastic add to the series.
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O'Shea Jackson Jr was really good playing his dad in Straight Outta Compton, but he is also starting to work his way out of his dad's shadow as well. I liked him a lot in Den of Thieves and Just Mercy, and some would say that getting into a Star Wars property is a huge step in the right direction!!
I recognize Sung Kang for one role only, and that is Han from the Fast Franchise. He's been in plenty of good shows and movies since and before those, but the ill-fated(?) Han will always be my favorite role of his.
Simone Kessell is the name I am least familiar with. She's ton some movies a lot of TV (shes from NZ so a lot of those corny Hercules/Xena show-type roles).