A significant change made inObi-Wan Kenobisuggests thatStar Warshas abandoned one of George Lucas' earliest concepts, and it’s been a disappointing turn for the franchise.Obi-Wan Kenobiwas a truly thrilling addition toStar Warsmovies and TV shows, especially because it brought back many ofStar Wars’best characters. In addition to Ewan McGregor returning as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Hayden Christensen reprising his role as Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader,Obi-Wan Kenobiintroduced 10-year-old Luke Skywalker (Grant Feely) and Leia Organa (Vivien Lyra Blair).
Along with these characters came the revelation that Leia and Obi-Wan had a much more extensive connection thanA New HopeorStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sithlet on. Those movies made it seem like Leia had not encountered Obi-Wan after she was born inRevenge of the Sith, butObi-Wan Kenobirevealed that Obi-Wan and Leia had a significant history—one that saw Obi-Wan rescuing Leia from the clutches of the Empire. While these were thrilling updates and changes, though,one deviation inObi-Wan Kenobiis more disappointing and represents a departure from George Lucas' vision.
Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Final Sets Stripped Leia’s Room Of Its Character
Leia’s Room On Alderaan Was Surprisingly Devoid Of Personal Touches
At Star Wars Celebration 2023, Lucasfilm’s Senior Vice President and Executive Design Director Doug Chiang, who was also Production Designer forObi-Wan Kenobi,revealed that,originally, Leia’s room inObi-Wan Kenobiwas much more befitting of a child and of a character with Leia’s personality, strengths, and interests. In a video posted byCobaltGreen1138on X, Chiang can be heard saying:
“We filled her room with scientific toys and gadgets, gave her room rich patterns and textures and a sense of sophistication for a little girl beyond her years. The room needed to mirror her intellectual energy.”
The video then cuts to an image of the final version of Leia’s room inObi-Wan Kenobi, and although Chiang jokes,“And here’s the final set, after she cleaned it up,“it’s clear that there really was a drastic change from the team’s original concepts for Leia’s bedroom.
Despite Chiang’s lighthearted approach to the topic,it really is a shame that these changes were made to the original plan for Leia’s room. As Chiang rightly points out, Leia should have had a room that suited her very strong and well-known personality. It would have been wonderful to see Leia’s room designed with these personal touches that represented Leia’s brilliance and curiosity. It also seems out of character for Leia, Breha, and Bail. Leia would no doubt have been headstrong and determined about her own room, and it’s clear Bail in particular wanted her to be true to herself.
George Lucas Always Wanted Star Wars To Have A “Lived-In” Aesthetic
George Lucas Prioritized Authenticity For His Sets
In addition to this choice for Leia’s room being disappointing withinObi-Wan Kenobi, it also has unfortunate implications forStar Warsmore broadly. The final version of Leia’s room inObi-Wan Kenobiis indicative ofStar Wars’more recent departure from George Lucas' vision of ‘lived-in’ sets.Lucas wanted theStar Warssets to feel authentic and natural, which meant designing them in ways that made them look as though someone realistically worked or lived there.
The final version of Leia’s room inObi-Wan Kenobiis indicative ofStar Wars’recent departure from George Lucas' vision of ‘lived-in’ sets.
This can be seen throughout the original and prequelStar Warstrilogies, particularly in residential spaces. InA New Hope, the Lars home has many items and features (and sometimes outright clutter) that reflect everyday life.Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menaceshows similar details in the home Anakin Skywalker shared with his mother, Shmi, on Tatooine. Anakin’s room is quite messy, in part because he was working on building C-3PO at the time. Unfortunately,Star Warshas taken a step back from this approach.
Anakin Skywalker’s Secret Force Power Explains How He Built C-3PO
Of all Anakin Skywalker’s incredible Force abilities, this power was especially unique in Star Wars, and it seemingly enabled Anakin to create C-3PO.
Modern Star Wars Is Too Austere, Too Controlled
Many Sets Are Now Precisely The Opposite Of What George Lucas Wanted
In recent years,Star WarsTV shows seem to increasingly feature sets with controlled, even somewhat cold designs. Although minimalist sets appeared earlier on intheStar Warstimelineas well, those choices tended to be much more logical. As a key example, the Empire’s aesthetic intentionally avoided any warmth or personality. Everything was meant to be sleek and rigid because the Empire was all about maintaining control.
It makes much less sense for this to become a widespread design principle, yet this more austere approach toStar Warssets can be seen across the board. In addition to Leia’s bedroom, scenes fromAndor, such as when Syril Karn visits his mother’s home, reinforce that residential spaces have also taken on this more subdued design. Other sets inAhsokaandThe Acolytereflect similar design qualities, although that makes a bit more sense when it involves Jedi or governmental spaces.
Star Warsis no longer embracing the ‘lived-in’ aesthetic George Lucas wanted to see in the franchise’s sets.
Even so, it’s clear thatStar Warsis no longer embracing the ‘lived-in’ aesthetic George Lucas wanted to see in the franchise’s sets. It will be interesting to discover whetherStar Wars’next TV show,Star Wars: Skeleton Crew,will continue this tradition, particularly given it heavily features a group of children. It’s nevertheless disappointing that Leia Organa’s bedroom inObi-Wan Kenobiwas changed in this way, as seeing a room that better reflected her personality would have been delightful.
Source:CobaltGreen1138
Obi-Wan Kenobi
The Padawan of Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi became a Jedi Knight after his master’s death. Obi-Wan trained Anakin Skywalker as a Jedi, with his own apprentice knighted after the Battle of Geonosis. The Jedi Master became a key player in the Jedi during the Clone Wars, and was heartbroken when Anakin turned to the dark side; Obi-Wan critically wounded Anakin before taking to the shadows, watching over the young Luke and Leia for years. He sacrificed himself for his two charges, becoming a Force Ghost and continuing to mentor them.
