It would be glorious for Lucasfilm and Disney to realize they can make non-white and non-male characters that are awesome in their own right… without denigrating established heroes. Unfortunately, it appears we’re not done with the modern trope just yet.
For the past months there have been rumors about Obi-Wan Kenobi leaks regarding the ending of the series, as well as post-credit scenes. We have been hesitant to publish anything regarding these purported leaks because first: the series has been in post-production and things could change from leak to release, and second: after The Book of Boba Fett had its ending changed even once the series started releasing, leadership at That Park Place hasn’t been keen to be burned again.
Things are beginning to heat up, however, and Obi-Wan is just weeks away from release. When it appears the ending may have been completely leaked, it’s hard not to cover it when part of what we do is cover rumors. I guess I say all that to just implore our readers to temper their expectations. Could this be a legitimate leak? Yes. Could there be an intentionally leaked false ending to throw fans off? Sure. Could there be three different endings and we don’t know which one they’ve picked? You bet. So let’s just enjoy this potential leak for what it is: a rumor.
Before going any further, you’re obviously entering into spoiler territory.
Essentially, if the leaks turn out to be true, Star Wars will be retconned so that Obi-Wan Kenobi failed to protect Luke Skywalker… and in fact an inquisitor had the opportunity to kill him as a boy. However, out of goodness in her heart, she overcomes the desire to kill him and instead sacrifices her own life by being killed by Darth Vader himself. In that regard, Obi-Wan Kenobi will be made a failure twice-over: he will have now failed to save Anakin from becoming Vader AND failed to actually protect Luke from the Empire. Only by luck and the good-hearted nature of an inquisitor will Luke be spared. A woman of color will have filled in for an incompetent Kenobi and then given her life to the rage of a white man behind a mask. I wish that’s not how these Hollywood writers see the world, but I am continuously disappointed to see us return to tribalism and segregating narratives.
Here’s Drunk 3PO with the details:
For those who feel there is a misandric attack on Star Wars in which men are made inept and women are made the real heroes, and that this pattern repeats over and over, this will be another difficult story. For those who feel that Star Wars is a vehicle for social change, perhaps they will further enjoy the story. And for all the “normies” out there, I guess we’ll just have to wait and find out.
As for me, I believe that this is a make-or-break for Star Wars in terms of people caring. If they screw this up, I think they’ve reached the point where the brand will need a decade to recover. What a time to be alive and watch a company walk a giant property to the edge of the cliff while cultural ideologues chant “too big to fail” and “cry more.”
Shame on Bob Chapek for not dropping Kathleen Kennedy when he had the chance. He may have wanted to moderate the company but his weakness has resulted in his downfall and the potential downfall of Star Wars.
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