(Left to right:) Ewan McGregor in 2023, in “Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace”.Photo:Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Disney; Lucasfilm Ltd./courtesy EverettEwan McGregoris getting candid about playingObi-Wan Kenobiin a galaxy far, far away.The Scottish actor, 52, began playing one of the most iconic characters in theStar Warsuniverse inGeorge Lucas’ 1999 prequelEpisode I –The Phantom Menace.“I am happy that I am this character for a lot of people,” the actor toldVarietyin an interview published Wednesday. McGregor inherited the role fromAlec Guinness, who played the mysterious Jedi in the 1997Star Warslater titledEpisode IV – A New Hope.But the critical reception toPhantom Menacewas less than warm, McGregor noted. “When these films came out, they were so disliked,” he said of the prequel trilogy. “That was hard.”He added, “The first one was panned and we still had to make another two! It was weird to be in a film that washammered.”Ewan McGregor in “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones”.20th Century Fox Licensing/Merchandising / Everett CollectionNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Set 32 years before the original trilogy starringMark Hamill,Carrie FisherandHarrison Ford,Phantom Menacefeatured McGregor alongsideLiam Neesonas his mentor, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn.Natalie Portmanplayed the young Padmé Amidala, queen of Naboo, while Jake Lloyd introduced audiences to the Force-sensitive child Anakin Skywalker — who would later become the villainousDarth Vader.McGregor, speaking from the Göteborg Film Festival in Sweden, added that he felt “very reluctant” to play Obi-Wan at first.“It wasn’t a done deal for me. I didn’t think it was at all who I was. I believed, at that point, I was aDanny Boyleactor. [His 2000 film]The Beachwas more important and I meant it, it wasn’t flippant. I did ask a lot of people for advice.”(Left to right:) Natalie Portman, Liam Neeson, Jake Lloyd and Ewan McGregor in “Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace”.AJ Pic/AlamyDespite the reaction toPhantom Menace, McGregor reprised his role — alongsideHayden Christensenas Anakin — in 2002’sAttack of the Clonesand 2005’sRevenge of the Sith. After another trilogy of films, the actor reappeared in Disney+’s Emmy-winningObi-Wan Kenobi, the 2022 miniseries devoted to his character following the events ofSith.“I would love to do the second season, but there’s no talk of it yet,” McGregor toldVariety. “There is a lot going on at Disney.”In an interview withConan O’Brienin September, Neeson, 71, admitted he and McGregor “automatically” started voicing lightsaber noises when they pulled out their weapons while filmingPhantom Menace.“George [Lucas] said, ‘Uh, let’s cut there. Boys, we can add that in later,'” Neeson joked.McGregor will next appear in the filmBleeding Love(in theaters Feb. 16), costarring hisdaughter Clara.
(Left to right:) Ewan McGregor in 2023, in “Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace”.Photo:Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Disney; Lucasfilm Ltd./courtesy Everett
Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Disney; Lucasfilm Ltd./courtesy Everett
Ewan McGregoris getting candid about playingObi-Wan Kenobiin a galaxy far, far away.The Scottish actor, 52, began playing one of the most iconic characters in theStar Warsuniverse inGeorge Lucas’ 1999 prequelEpisode I –The Phantom Menace.“I am happy that I am this character for a lot of people,” the actor toldVarietyin an interview published Wednesday. McGregor inherited the role fromAlec Guinness, who played the mysterious Jedi in the 1997Star Warslater titledEpisode IV – A New Hope.But the critical reception toPhantom Menacewas less than warm, McGregor noted. “When these films came out, they were so disliked,” he said of the prequel trilogy. “That was hard.”He added, “The first one was panned and we still had to make another two! It was weird to be in a film that washammered.”Ewan McGregor in “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones”.20th Century Fox Licensing/Merchandising / Everett CollectionNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Set 32 years before the original trilogy starringMark Hamill,Carrie FisherandHarrison Ford,Phantom Menacefeatured McGregor alongsideLiam Neesonas his mentor, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn.Natalie Portmanplayed the young Padmé Amidala, queen of Naboo, while Jake Lloyd introduced audiences to the Force-sensitive child Anakin Skywalker — who would later become the villainousDarth Vader.McGregor, speaking from the Göteborg Film Festival in Sweden, added that he felt “very reluctant” to play Obi-Wan at first.“It wasn’t a done deal for me. I didn’t think it was at all who I was. I believed, at that point, I was aDanny Boyleactor. [His 2000 film]The Beachwas more important and I meant it, it wasn’t flippant. I did ask a lot of people for advice.”(Left to right:) Natalie Portman, Liam Neeson, Jake Lloyd and Ewan McGregor in “Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace”.AJ Pic/AlamyDespite the reaction toPhantom Menace, McGregor reprised his role — alongsideHayden Christensenas Anakin — in 2002’sAttack of the Clonesand 2005’sRevenge of the Sith. After another trilogy of films, the actor reappeared in Disney+’s Emmy-winningObi-Wan Kenobi, the 2022 miniseries devoted to his character following the events ofSith.“I would love to do the second season, but there’s no talk of it yet,” McGregor toldVariety. “There is a lot going on at Disney.”In an interview withConan O’Brienin September, Neeson, 71, admitted he and McGregor “automatically” started voicing lightsaber noises when they pulled out their weapons while filmingPhantom Menace.“George [Lucas] said, ‘Uh, let’s cut there. Boys, we can add that in later,'” Neeson joked.McGregor will next appear in the filmBleeding Love(in theaters Feb. 16), costarring hisdaughter Clara.
Ewan McGregoris getting candid about playingObi-Wan Kenobiin a galaxy far, far away.
The Scottish actor, 52, began playing one of the most iconic characters in theStar Warsuniverse inGeorge Lucas’ 1999 prequelEpisode I –The Phantom Menace.
“I am happy that I am this character for a lot of people,” the actor toldVarietyin an interview published Wednesday. McGregor inherited the role fromAlec Guinness, who played the mysterious Jedi in the 1997Star Warslater titledEpisode IV – A New Hope.
But the critical reception toPhantom Menacewas less than warm, McGregor noted. “When these films came out, they were so disliked,” he said of the prequel trilogy. “That was hard.”
He added, “The first one was panned and we still had to make another two! It was weird to be in a film that washammered.”
Ewan McGregor in “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones”.20th Century Fox Licensing/Merchandising / Everett Collection
20th Century Fox Licensing/Merchandising / Everett Collection
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Set 32 years before the original trilogy starringMark Hamill,Carrie FisherandHarrison Ford,Phantom Menacefeatured McGregor alongsideLiam Neesonas his mentor, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn.Natalie Portmanplayed the young Padmé Amidala, queen of Naboo, while Jake Lloyd introduced audiences to the Force-sensitive child Anakin Skywalker — who would later become the villainousDarth Vader.
McGregor, speaking from the Göteborg Film Festival in Sweden, added that he felt “very reluctant” to play Obi-Wan at first.
“It wasn’t a done deal for me. I didn’t think it was at all who I was. I believed, at that point, I was aDanny Boyleactor. [His 2000 film]The Beachwas more important and I meant it, it wasn’t flippant. I did ask a lot of people for advice.”
(Left to right:) Natalie Portman, Liam Neeson, Jake Lloyd and Ewan McGregor in “Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace”.AJ Pic/Alamy
AJ Pic/Alamy
Despite the reaction toPhantom Menace, McGregor reprised his role — alongsideHayden Christensenas Anakin — in 2002’sAttack of the Clonesand 2005’sRevenge of the Sith. After another trilogy of films, the actor reappeared in Disney+’s Emmy-winningObi-Wan Kenobi, the 2022 miniseries devoted to his character following the events ofSith.
“I would love to do the second season, but there’s no talk of it yet,” McGregor toldVariety. “There is a lot going on at Disney.”
In an interview withConan O’Brienin September, Neeson, 71, admitted he and McGregor “automatically” started voicing lightsaber noises when they pulled out their weapons while filmingPhantom Menace.
“George [Lucas] said, ‘Uh, let’s cut there. Boys, we can add that in later,'” Neeson joked.
McGregor will next appear in the filmBleeding Love(in theaters Feb. 16), costarring hisdaughter Clara.
source: people.com
