Joel Edgerton’s career has come a long way since his appearance as Uncle Owen in the Star Wars prequels. From making indie thrillers in Australia with his brother Nash, he has become an actual movie star in Hollywood.
Uncle Owen’s Role in Obi-Wan Kenobi
Although Uncle Owen’s character didn’t have much screen time in the original Star Wars film, he was one of the first characters audiences met, and his death along with Aunt Beru’s was the reason Luke Skywalker fought against the Empire. In the Obi-Wan Kenobi limited series, audiences got to spend more time with Uncle Owen than ever before.
Expanding Uncle Owen’s Character
Edgerton wanted to put more context on Uncle Owen’s character and get audiences to like him more. He asked the show’s producers and writers for a cool fight scene but didn’t want more screen time. In the finale episode, Uncle Owen bravely stands up to Inquisitor Reva, even though he’s not a trained fighter or Force user.
Initial Reticence
At first, Edgerton wasn’t entirely enthusiastic about returning to the character of Uncle Owen. He joked that Uncle Owen was the most boring character in Star Wars history because he was a moisture farmer and didn’t get to wield a lightsaber. However, after showing some backbone while standing up to Inquisitor Reva, Uncle Owen became less boring and more heroic.
Overall, Edgerton’s portrayal of Uncle Owen in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series expanded the character’s role and showed more of his personality, making audiences like him more than they did in the original Star Wars film.
Leave a Reply