STAR WARS: THE PHANTOM MEANCE Originally Included a Wild Obi-Wan Kenobi Twist That Would've Changed Things

George Lucas’ Star Wars: The Phantom Menace originally included a major twist for the character Obi-Wan Kenobi, and it would’ve been wild! It also would’ve changed the the way we watched the rest of the films in the franchise.

Artist Iain McCaig spoke to StarWars.com about the movie, and he revealed that the twist would've seen Obi-Wan and his Master Qui-Gon Jinn trade places. Lucas changed this at the last minute.

McCaig said: "For a time, the older Jedi was named Obi-Wan and the younger Jedi was named Qui-Gon. It was very poignant that at the end, as Obi-Wan dies and Qui-Gon defeats Darth Maul and stays with his Master as he passes away, he not only takes on his Master's quest, but he takes on his name.

He continues: “Qui-Gon becomes Obi-Wan. That's why when you see Alec Guinness in A New Hope, he puts his hood down and goes, 'Obi-Wan? Now that's a name I’ve not heard…' Because he's not Obi-Wan, he's Qui-Gon. And right at the end, George changed it."

That’s pretty crazy! This twist would’ve added a whole new layer to the Star Wars saga. Alec Guinness's Obi-Wan really being Qui-Gon Jinn in disguise!?

The character whole demeanor would take on deeper meaning, as it would have been forged by the sacrifice of his former identity.

It’s fascinating to consider how George Lucas's last-minute decision changed the fabric of the series and our perception of Obi-Wan. While this twist never made it to the screen, it serves as an intriguing “what if” that adds richness to Star Wars lore, sparking our imaginations about the stories that might have been.