Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (Pre-release)

[dascoyne]

Alec Guinness' Obi-Wan is quiet, introverted, perceptive, thoughtful and cunning. He is smart and has great emotional depth. Yes, that is all conveyed in his performance.

Ewan McGregor is anything but that. Ewan's Obi Wan is impulsive and hopping with nervous energy. It's even in the way he fights - with purposeless flourishes and, literally having to jump in place in order to bleed off hyperactive energy.

Guinness Obi-Wan chooses his words carefully. Ewan Obi-Wan simply says out loud whatever he's thinking.

I tried my best to justify the difference as Ewan Obi-Wan simply being an immature Jedi but it just got harder and harder to convince myself of this. Even as people mature in life they have personality traits that endure. I saw nothing in common with the two Obi-Wans... and I tried so hard to find some common ground in his performance because I really wanted him to be Obi-Wan.

I wouldn't be surprised if Ewan never even saw Star Wars before filming this.

 

[JediMichael]

So I just read that Grand Moff Tarkin will be created as CGI for the movie. Although it was an article from February, so its probably already been talked about on here,just pages and pages back. Still would like to hear thoughts on that.
As CGI is getting pretty good at creating faces now, like on Ant Man, I think it could do good, if they don't over do it.
If george was doing Episode 1 now, he would probably make Obi Wan CG.

 

[Bryancd]

Alec Guinness' Obi-Wan is quiet, introverted, perceptive, thoughtful and cunning. He is smart and has great emotional depth. Yes, that is all conveyed in his performance.

Ewan McGregor is anything but that. Ewan's Obi Wan is impulsive and hopping with nervous energy. It's even in the way he fights - with purposeless flourishes and, literally having to jump in place in order to bleed off hyperactive energy.

Guinness Obi-Wan chooses his words carefully. Ewan Obi-Wan simply says out loud whatever he's thinking.

I tried my best to justify the difference as Ewan Obi-Wan simply being an immature Jedi but it just got harder and harder to convince myself of this. Even as people mature in life they have personality traits that endure. I saw nothing in common with the two Obi-Wans... and I tried so hard to find some common ground in his performance because I really wanted him to be Obi-Wan.

I wouldn't be surprised if Ewan never even saw Star Wars before filming this.

With all do respect to the late Sir Alec, but Ewan has done far more to flesh out the character of Obi-wan and has done a masterful job. He's the brightest spot across all 3 PT films. His performance changes across the films as well, becoming much more nuanced. I am just astounded to read some of these comments. And I would bet even money we see Ewan back in the roll and I would be there opening night.

- - - Updated - - -

So I just read that Grand Moff Tarkin will be created as CGI for the movie. Although it was an article from February, so its probably already been talked about on here,just pages and pages back. Still would like to hear thoughts on that.
As CGI is getting pretty good at creating faces now, like on Ant Man, I think it could do good, if they don't over do it.
If george was doing Episode 1 now, he would probably make Obi Wan CG.

Its rumored and if they do I bet they get Steven Stanton to voice him.

 

[The Wook]

Alec Guinness' Obi-Wan is quiet, introverted, perceptive, thoughtful and cunning. He is smart and has great emotional depth. Yes, that is all conveyed in his performance.

Ewan McGregor is anything but that. Ewan's Obi Wan is impulsive and hopping with nervous energy. It's even in the way he fights - with purposeless flourishes and, literally having to jump in place in order to bleed off hyperactive energy.

Guinness Obi-Wan chooses his words carefully. Ewan Obi-Wan simply says out loud whatever he's thinking.

I tried my best to justify the difference as Ewan Obi-Wan simply being an immature Jedi but it just got harder and harder to convince myself of this. Even as people mature in life they have personality traits that endure. I saw nothing in common with the two Obi-Wans... and I tried so hard to find some common ground in his performance because I really wanted him to be Obi-Wan.

I wouldn't be surprised if Ewan never even saw Star Wars before filming this.

I agree with all of this. Their energies are completely different. But I give Ewan a pass, because he possesses such a unique charm of his own, and watching him, and Ian McDiarmid, was the best part of the entire prequel trilogy.

The Wook

 

[Bryancd]

Ewan's ROTS performance was restrained and nuanced, you guys are nuts, that was Obi-wan coming to the sad realization that all he had believed in was betrayed and destroyed., that's why 20 years later he is the man we see portrayed by Guiness.

 

[dascoyne]

Ewan's ROTS performance was restrained and nuanced, you guys are nuts, that was Obi-wan coming to the sad realization that all he had believed in was betrayed and destroyed., that's why 20 years later he is the man we see portrayed by Guiness.

Let's agree to disagree.

 

[Paul Andrew]

Alec Guinness' Obi-Wan is quiet, introverted, perceptive, thoughtful and cunning. He is smart and has great emotional depth. Yes, that is all conveyed in his performance.

Ewan McGregor is anything but that. Ewan's Obi Wan is impulsive and hopping with nervous energy. It's even in the way he fights - with purposeless flourishes and, literally having to jump in place in order to bleed off hyperactive energy.

Guinness Obi-Wan chooses his words carefully. Ewan Obi-Wan simply says out loud whatever he's thinking.

I tried my best to justify the difference as Ewan Obi-Wan simply being an immature Jedi but it just got harder and harder to convince myself of this. Even as people mature in life they have personality traits that endure. I saw nothing in common with the two Obi-Wans... and I tried so hard to find some common ground in his performance because I really wanted him to be Obi-Wan.

I wouldn't be surprised if Ewan never even saw Star Wars before filming this.

I think there is a marked difference between the two renditions of the character, and it's in his story and the length of time between the prequels and the OT. Obi-Wan goes from thinking he's in a fight he can win to realizing he's been outmaneuvered for the last thirteen years at the end of ROTS, and another 19 years of living alone in the desert to dwell on that will change a person.
At least, that's how I look at it.

 

[Bryancd]

I think there is a marked difference between the two renditions of the character, and it's in his story and the length of time between the prequels and the OT. Obi-Wan goes from thinking he's in a fight he can win to realizing he's been outmaneuvered for the last thirteen years at the end of ROTS, and another 19 years of living alone in the desert to dwell on that will change a person.
At least, that's how I look at it.

Yes, it's a man effected by extreme tragedy and loss. And with 20 years to consider his mistakes. That will dramaticly alter a man.

 

[PHArchivist]

About the R1 trailer - I understand its purpose, but still - WAY heavy-handed on the character set-up, and the "I rebel...!" line made me cringe and worry...

 

[Inquisitor Peregrinus]

Can I throw this into the Obi-Wan argument...? ESB:

Yoda: "Much anger in him. Like his father."
Obi-Wan's Disembodied Voice: "Was I any different, when you taught me?"

[...]

Yoda (to Luke): You are reckless!"
Obi-Wan's Disembodied Voice: "So was I, if you'll remember."

Don't make the mistake of presuming old Ben Kenobi who'd been a hermit in the desert for nearly two decades and largely left his life as a Jedi Knight behind is reflective of who he was as a younger man. I like both Sir Alec's and Ewan's performances each for what they are. Plus, Ewan's seriously internalized Obi-Wan. And I trust that, in the hands of a director who's actually good with people, he'll nail it even better.

--Jonah

 

[The Wook]

Can I throw this into the Obi-Wan argument...? ESB:

Yoda: "Much anger in him. Like his father."
Obi-Wan's Disembodied Voice: "Was I any different, when you taught me?"

[...]

Yoda (to Luke): You are reckless!"
Obi-Wan's Disembodied Voice: "So was I, if you'll remember."

Don't make the mistake of presuming old Ben Kenobi who'd been a hermit in the desert for nearly two decades and largely left his life as a Jedi Knight behind is reflective of who he was as a younger man. I like both Sir Alec's and Ewan's performances each for what they are. Plus, Ewan's seriously internalized Obi-Wan. And I trust that, in the hands of a director who's actually good with people, he'll nail it even better.

--Jonah

These are good points. I think Ewan did as good a job as he could do, and perhaps anyone could do. I do think his natural energy differs from Guinness', and he's not exactly his doppelganger, either. But his performance was a highlight of the prequels, no doubt. And as I stated previously, I'd love to see him do more Star Wars, with better writing and directing.

The Wook

 

[OldKen]

QFT!

I think that a new obiwan movie with him could be seriously awesome.

Obi has grown beyond sir Alec. (Did I just say that???)

As far as Ewan goes... I liked his look and portrayal better than the movies he was in....

Not PERFECT. But the way he has been shown in the various cartoons is Very... Obiwan...

It just is what it is.

These are good points. I think Ewan did as good a job as he could do, and perhaps anyone could do. I do think his natural energy differs from Guinness', and he's not exactly his doppelganger, either. But his performance was a highlight of the prequels, no doubt. And as I stated previously, I'd love to see him do more Star Wars, with better writing and directing.

The Wook

 

[karmajay]

Ewan's ROTS performance was restrained and nuanced, you guys are nuts, that was Obi-wan coming to the sad realization that all he had believed in was betrayed and destroyed., that's why 20 years later he is the man we see portrayed by Guiness.

I agree. It is easy to see how a energetic character can change after essential having a hand in creating Vader, living through the jedi purge and 20 years of being a hermit on a desert planet. If Ewan plays him in the anthology we will probably see a performance in between the two.

 

[mistymills]

I agree that he did a great job. If you look back, in each of the prequels he starts to become more adult and wise as he gains experience. It felt seamless to me that he'd eventually become the old man Ben in the desert.

 

[Laspector]

I am also pro Ewan. I think he was the best thing about the PT. His was the only lines that didn't sound like they were being read off a cue card.

 

[SofaKing01]

I am also pro Ewan. I think he was the best thing about the PT. His was the only lines that didn't sound like they were being read off a cue card.

I'm very Pro-EM as well. He did a wonderful job in the PT and I hope the powers that be do explore his character a little more. It was great hearing both Obi-Wan's in TFA. The door is clearly open.

 

[Jaitea]

QFT!

I think that a new obiwan movie with him could be seriously awesome.

Obi has grown beyond sir Alec. (Did I just say that???)

As far as Ewan goes... I liked his look and portrayal better than the movies he was in....

I agree completely,....Ewan & Ian are faultless

J

 

[Wolfsburg]

Well I agree there's no doubt Ewan and Ian gave the strongest performances of the PT (although that's very relative and Ian got a bit goofy in ROTS), but I just didn't find Ewan to be the revelation some of you guys apparently did. I mean...he was fine I thought, but just that.

 

[SofaKing01]

I think EMs performance during the OT was a very sincere attempt at paying homage to Sir AG - those are some big shoes to fill / follow. I, along with many others, truly appreciated his efforts and found him to be a very believable Obi-Wan. With that, I feel the fan base would really enjoy seeing EM play Obi-Wan again, away from the OT, and allow him to stretch not only his acting abilities but explore and develop the character that both he and Sir AG brought to life.

 

[robstyle]

I thought Ewan was perfect as Kenobi. Show me someone who would have nailed it better. Besides time traveling to get a young Guinness himself.

Although Ewan has become OWK, Ray Fiennes would have nailed it.

and how he would have looked around casting for the prequels:

If you want to get technical, what you need to comprehend about Alec Guinness is he looked old even when he was young. Ewan has the youth gene lacking the stress features of someone thats actually been in battle. Ray Fiennes would have nailed it, of course had he been allowed to act as anything but a plank of wood.