A brand new set of rumors reveals details about Darth Vader’s role in the upcoming Kenobi Disney+ series.
Vader showing up in the Kenobi series was confirmed by Lucasfilm Kathleen Kennedy during the Disney Investor Day 2020 celebration.
Related: Kathleen Kennedy Promises “Rematch” Between Obi-Wan Kenobi And Darth Vader In Kenobi Series
Kennedy stated, “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,” she added.
The official Star Wars account echoed Kennedy’s statement tweeting out, “Hayden Christensen returns as Darth Vader, joining Ewan McGregor in OBI-WAN KENOBI. The Original Series begins 10 years after the dramatic events of Revenge of the Sith, and is coming to DisneyPlus.”
Not only would Kennedy confirm that Kenobi and Vader would face off again in the “rematch of the century,” but Kenobi showrunner Deborah Chow also told GamesRadar, “We couldn’t tell the story of Obi-Wan without Darth Vader.”
She added, “We will definitely see Obi-Wan and Darth Vader get into it again.”
Related: Star Wars Rumor: Darth Vader Series Being Discussed For Disney+
Now, a new rumor details what Darth Vader’s role in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series will be.
The rumor comes from YouTuber Doomcock, who prefaces the information saying, “But I have here two contradictory leaks from entirely different sources about what the Obi-Wan series is going to be about. And I am going to share one of them in this video. I will feature the other rumor in a later video, once I decide how much of what I was told I should spill.”
Doomcock then details where his information comes from, “Please be advised that I have been provided with this information by one of my Hollywood spies, who got this from a source I consider to be absolutely impeccable. My agents tell me that this source accurately predicted a number of key Mandalorian story points ahead of time including the return of Luke Skywalker and so I have a higher than average confidence that this information may be very accurate indeed.”
Later in the video, Doomcock gets into the details of the rumor. He explains, “A major part of the Kenobi series will center around Obi-Wan on Tatooine blaming himself for Anakin’s fall and the fall of the Jedi Order.”
“And thus it will come to pass that Hayden Christensen will reprise his role as Darth Vader and will haunt Obi-Wan in his dreams,” he added.
Related: Rumor: Jar Jar Binks to Appear in Obi-Wan Kenobi Star Wars Series With New Look
He continued, “More like Vader will haunt Obi-Wan in dreams and visions and they will fight again, but in a dream, or even possibly in a nexus of the Dark Side of the Force like when Luke fought Vader in the cave in Empire Strikes Back.”
“It will basically end by Kenobi killing Vader anew, realizing that what he did was necessary and coming to terms with the situations,” Doomcock states.
He begins to close out the video stating, “That is what the source has told us. I have no idea how valid this is, but I report it because I find this information actually rather reassuring. It eliminates the ridiculous element of Vader and Obi-Wan meeting in the flesh, yet allows us to see Hayden Christensen and Ewan McGregor together again.”
Then Doomcock adds another layer to the rumor, “Plus, I’m told that Yoda and other Jedi will speak to Obi-Wan through the Force during this series as well.”
The idea that Obi-Wan would commune with other Jedi makes complete sense given Yoda actually instructed him to commune with his former Master Qui-Gon Jinn.
Yoda states, “Master Kenobi, wait a moment. In your solitude on Tatooine, training I have for you. An old friend has learned the path to immortality. One who has returned from the netherworld of the Force, your old master. How to commune with him I will teach you.”
Obviously, Kenobi does indeed commune with Qui-Gon as he too learns how to become One with the Force following his duel on the Death Star against Darth Vader.
Another interesting aspect about this new rumor from Doomcock is that it does match up with a previous rumor from our own source close to Bounding Into Comics.
This source claimed that Hayden Christensen would be filming scenes without his iconic Darth Vader helmet on.
While the source claimed this was due to celebrity recognition, it would make sense that Obi-Wan would see Anakin as he last saw him on Mustafar without his mask on if indeed Obi-Wan battles Vader in a dream or vision sequence.
Although given that the Kenobi series is supposed to take place 10 years after Revenge of the Sith, it’s also more than likely that Kenobi knew about Anakin’s transformation into Darth Vader and what he looked like.
In fact, he admits he lied to Luke Skywalker regarding the truth about his father in Return of the Jedi.
Obi-Wan tells Luke, “Your father was seduced by the Dark Side of the Force. He ceased to be Anakin Skywalker and became Darth Vader. When that happened, the good man who was your father was destroyed. So what I told you was true from a certain point of view.”
He then added, “Luke, you’re going to find that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view. Anakin was a good friend. When I first knew him, your father was already a great pilot, but I was amazed how strongly the Force was with him. I took it upon myself to train him as a Jedi. I thought that I could instruct him just as well as Yoda. I was wrong.”
“He’s more machine now than man, twisted and evil,” Kenobi added.
Obviously, these comments came after his physical battle with Vader on the Death Star when he encountered his former pupil in the mechanical monstrosity of a suit.
So, there could be an argument that Kenobi did not know about Vader’s mechanical transformation following their duel on Mustafar. Although it’s hard to imagine that Kenobi wouldn’t have realized that Vader would have needed significant mechanical functions in order to survive the state he left him on Mustafar.
I’m of the opinion that Kenobi would more than likely imagine or dream of his former pupil without the mechanical suit given he spent so much time with him without the suit.
What do you make of this rumor? Do you think this is how they will have Anakin and Obi-Wan fight in the “rematch of the century?’