Ewan McGregor Kept ‘Star Wars’ Spin-off A Secret For Four Years

Ewan McGregor recently spoke to Men's Journal about reprising his iconic role as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the upcoming untitled Star Wars spinoff series. He says it's a "relief" that he can finally talk about it at all.

"It's a f----- massive relief," said McGregor. "Because for four years, I've been having to lie to people about it."

McGregor played the young Kenobi in the Star Wars prequel trilogy and will return to the role for the series. It's set to start shooting in the summer of 2020 and will be set between Episode III (2005's Revenge of the Sith) and Episode IV (1977's original Star Wars, aka A New Hope). McGregor also revealed the show will consist of six hour-long episodes.

"It will be interesting to take a character we know in a way and show him ... well, his arc will be quite interesting, I think, dealing with the fact that all the Jedi were slaughtered with the end of Episode III. It's quite something to get over," said McGregor.

"I want to get closer and closer to how Obi-Wan felt while Alec Guinness was playing him," said the 48-year-old actor. "I feel like I'm grayer and nearer him in age, so it'll be easier to do that."

The show will be directed by Deborah Chow, who has also worked on episodes of the other Star Wars spin-off series The Mandalorian. It's a great time to be a Star Wars fan!