Disney+ Obi-Wan Series Release Won't Be Delayed Despite Reported Problems, Star Ewan McGregor Says

Ewan McGregor says despite reports of a production delay, Lucasfilm’s internal release date for the Disney+ Obi-Wan series has not changed and no episodes have been cut.

McGregor commented in an IGN interview released Friday about his upcoming DC Comics film, “Birds of Prey,” where he plays the villainous Black Mask. He assured fans the only thing that has changed is the production schedule. He said the show is still set to meet Lucasfilm’s unannounced release window.

“It’s just slid to next year, that’s all,” McGregor said. “The scripts were really good. I think now that Episode IX came out and everyone at Lucasfilm's got more time to spend on the writing, they felt like they wanted more time to spend on the writing.”

He continued, saying Lucasfilm is “still shooting toward having the show release when it was going to be originally.”

McGregor’s comments followed reports Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy was unhappy with the current set of scripts for the Obi-Wan series. The Hollywood Reporter said only two scripts had been completed despite Kennedy’s comments at D23 in August that all six episodes were written. The report also said Lucasfilm was looking for a new writer to rework the series down to four episodes.

The show was reportedly in preproduction at Pinewood Studios in England, but the crew was sent home. McGregor reportedly had been screen-testing with actors for the show.

One alleged source told The Hollywood Reporter the Obi-Wan series “trod similar ground” as their hit series, “The Mandalorian,” with Kenobi acting as a protector to young Luke in a fashion similar to the titular Mandalorian and “Baby Yoda,” as the creature became known online.

However, McGregor said he hadn’t “heard that” from Lucasfilm.

Despite the reported problems, Deborah Chow is still reportedly attached as a director on the series.