Ewan McGregor Proposes Obi-Wan and Hera Syndulla Romance for Star Wars Return

Ewan McGregor has long hinted that he isn’t finished with ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’, and his recent comments reveal just how far his creativity has stretched regarding the character’s next chapter. The actor has taken on the role of an unofficial pitchman for his return to the franchise, sharing ideas during interviews whenever he gets the chance.

This trend continued at the Variety Lounge during the Edinburgh International Film Festival, where McGregor opened up about the concepts he has presented to Lucasfilm leadership. He has taken his ambitions beyond casual conversation, even bringing his pitches directly to the individual who could approve them.

McGregor disclosed that he approached Lucasfilm president and chief creative officer Dave Filoni with his ideas while Filoni was working on ‘Ahsoka’ season two, a production featuring McGregor’s wife, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, as New Republic general Hera Syndulla. The actor mentioned that the pitch process was informal yet persistent, expressing to Filoni that there must be more stories to tell for Kenobi.

One of his ideas revolves around Yoda, with McGregor noting that after the events of Episode III, Obi-Wan would have had no contact with the Jedi Master as they both scattered across the galaxy. However, the concept that has sparked the most interest involves a potential romance between Obi-Wan and Hera.

McGregor enthusiastically shared how this idea developed. Reflecting on the moment his wife joined the ‘Ahsoka’ cast, he told Variety, “I got very excited when Mary started working on ‘Ahsoka’. I thought, maybe this is the big love story — Obi-Wan and Hera.”

The pitch does come with a challenge, which McGregor acknowledges. He pointed out that Kenobi and Hera exist in different eras of the ‘Star Wars’ timeline, as ‘Ahsoka’ is set years after Obi-Wan’s death in the original trilogy. Still, McGregor noted that “time doesn’t really mean anything” across the franchise’s various narratives, leaving room for creative solutions.

Whether this involves a time-jumping narrative device or another inventive approach remains uncertain, and Lucasfilm has not indicated that any of McGregor’s pitches are currently in development. Filoni recently told Variety on the D23 red carpet that the long-rumored ‘Hunt for Ben Solo’ film is not moving forward, suggesting that the studio’s future plans are still very much in flux.

Regardless of which idea ultimately gets the green light, McGregor’s enthusiasm for returning to the role is unmistakable. “I enjoyed doing the series very much… and would be happy to do it again. I like playing him — he’s a really good character to play,” he stated, reiterating his eagerness since wrapping the first season of his solo series in 2022.

The real-life connection between McGregor and Winstead adds a delightful layer to the pitch that fans have quickly embraced. The couple met on the set of ‘Fargo’ in 2016 and have been married for two years, and this wouldn’t be the first time their careers have subtly intersected within the same franchise universe.

McGregor’s family ties to ‘Star Wars’ run even deeper, with his uncle Denis Lawson portraying Rebel Alliance pilot Wedge Antilles in the original trilogy, and his daughter Esther-Rose McGregor making a brief cameo in ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi.’ Winstead’s role as Hera effectively makes it a three-generation family affair within the same galaxy far, far away.

For now, fans will have to imagine what a Kenobi-Hera storyline might entail, as nothing concrete has been confirmed. However, given McGregor’s vocal desire for more time in the role, it seems unlikely that he will cease pitching ideas to Filoni anytime soon.

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