Who Played Obi Wan

in Star Wars

Over the course of George Lucas’ Star Wars franchise, several actors have played the character of Obi-Wan Kenobi. The original Obi-Wan appeared in the first three classic films in the series, played by Sir Alec Guinness. In the prequel trilogy, he was played by Ewan McGregor. Finally, in the standalone film, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, he was played by a digitally recreated Alec Guinness.

Sir Alec Guinness first played Obi-Wan Kenobi in the 1977 film Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope. His performance earned him an Academy Award nomination and established him as an iconic character to generations of fans. Guinness was later offered a chance to reprise the role in the sequels, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, though he was unhappy about the insecurity of his salary, declining so that he could focus on other projects.

Ewan McGregor took over the role of Obi-Wan in the prequel trilogy beginning with Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace in 1999. McGregor did a fine job in bringing a different level of complexity to the character, showing Obi-Wan to be messier, more human and more nuanced than portrayed by Sir Alec Guinness.

In the 2016 movie, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Alec Guinness reprised the role of Obi-Wan, but just his image as the character was used. This was done through the impressive use of digital techniques. A young er version of Alec Guinness’s face was digitally recreated, allowing him to reclaim the role of Obi Wan one more time.

Over the years, several characters have portrayed the sage Obi-Wan Kenobi, but all have been excellent in their respective roles. Each actor has brought his own layer of depth and insight to the character, creating a wide range of interpretations. Through the various interpretations of Obi-Wan, a timeless and beloved hero was created, providing comfort and hope to Star Wars fans across the galaxy.