Hossein Amini, a filmmaker of British nationality who was born in Iran, is widely recognized for his work on films such as The Wings of the Dove, Drive, and The Two Faces of January. He was originally chosen as the writer for the live-action limited series Obi-Wan Kenobi. However, in January of 2020, Kathleen Kennedy expressed concerns regarding the scripts' direction, leading to the suspension of production and Amini's replacement with Joby Harold.
During his childhood, Hossein Amini's son, Stephen Amini, was captivated by various elements of Star Wars, particularly enjoying the animated series and books. Obi-Wan Kenobi stood out as one of his favorite characters due to his presence throughout both the prequels and the original trilogy, setting him apart from other characters, in Stephen's view. His love for Star Wars stemmed from a long-standing interest in diverse religions, including the concept of the samurai, which he had always admired. He was also drawn to the spiritual aspects, as well as the entertainment and action elements.
Stephen Daldry, who was originally slated to direct the Obi-Wan Kenobi anthology film, initially reached out to Hossein Amini, and they discussed the possibility of him joining the project. Subsequently, he engaged in discussions with Lucasfilm Ltd., describing the interaction as more of a conversation than a formal pitch, which he greatly appreciated. Amini's involvement with the project dated back to 2017. The film was eventually reimagined as a television series, with Amini as the writer and Deborah Chow as the director. The series was initially planned to be set eight years after the events of Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith.
Amini dedicated a significant amount of time to researching the project, aiming for a wide range of sources. He acknowledged a sense of responsibility towards the fans, writers, and comic book artists who had contributed to the Star Wars universe. He also emphasized the importance of being respectful and gaining a thorough understanding of the project, akin to studying a historical event, delving into the characters, their backgrounds, and their future trajectories. Amini explored science fiction and the spiritual themes within Star Wars. He delved into numerous books addressing crisis situations and various aspects of anthropological subjects, drawing inspiration from diverse sources. Amini also studied The Hero with a Thousand Faces, a work that influenced director George Lucas, and learned from Lucas's research on Samurai costumes and weaponry.
Amini found appeal in crafting a character-driven narrative, as well as exploring the situation or crisis that Kenobi faced. He considered the show fascinating due to its setting in a period marked by significant change and adversity. He saw the show as a captivating opportunity to delve into a different facet of the franchise that he had always cherished. He observed that the show seemed to resonate on multiple levels. Amini found the show's time period challenging to explore due to the presence of both internal and external conflicts, which he seeks out in a story. Amini believed that the show was better suited as a six-episode limited series, as it allowed sufficient time to explore Kenobi's character and the state of the galaxy, including politics and the vastness of the Empire.
Amini prioritized character development in his writing, with the plot taking a secondary role. Amini collaborated with the Lucasfilm Story Group to ensure that the show aligned with the broader Star Wars canon. He found their input to be invaluable, describing them as an "inspirational safety net." He stated that the trailer for The Mandalorian did not significantly influence the tone of the show. On September 27, 2019, StarWars.com announced that Deborah Chow would direct the Obi-Wan Kenobi television series, with Amini as the writer. Amini, Chow, and Ewan McGregor were slated to serve as executive producers alongside Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy. In January of 2020, Kennedy announced that a significant overhaul of the series was necessary. She temporarily halted production and appointed Joby Harold to replace Amini. Despite his departure from the project, Amini still received writing and story credits for four episodes of the season. Harold and Chow subsequently developed a new narrative set 10 years after Revenge of the Sith.
- Deborah Chow to Direct Obi-Wan Kenobi Series Exclusively on Disney+ on StarWars.com (backup link)
- " Launchpad " — Star Wars Insider 194