Ewan McGregor Explains Why the Star Wars Prequels Are So Beloved Now
Perhaps the most significant shift in the Star Wars universe over the last two decades has not been the release of the sequel trilogy, the revelation of new heroes, or even the debut of the Mandalorian and Grogu. It has been the coming of age of a generation of fans who grew up with the Star Wars prequel trilogy.
The kids who saw the prequels in theaters are now adults, and all of a sudden, the narrative has shifted.
The once-maligned prequels are now held up as perhaps the definitive Star Wars films and Hayden Christensen and Ewan McGregor have been hailed as conquering heroes upon their return to the franchise.
Ewan McGregor Chimes In
For McGregor, meeting the children who grew up loving the prequels has brought him closer to Star Wars and, in many ways, shaped his relationship with the franchise.
“I think it’s different people. The people that I meet that really love them were kids then. And nobody was listening to them because there was no internet, you know, and they were kids. But now, I’ve just…I feel closer to them. And I appreciate them,” he said during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel.
McGregor, who once refused to talk about Star Wars and was adamant that he would never return, is suddenly appearing at fan conventions and publically campaigning for Disney to renew Obi-Wan Kenobi for a second season. It is the fans, he says, that have made the experience so meaningful.
“This little guy came in — he must have been nine or 10 years old — this little boy with his mom and dad. And he was…you could just see that when he saw us both together he just couldn’t hold it together. And the tears were starting to run down his face. And it was just the most beautiful thing. It just meant so much to him.”
The Recognition They Deserve
As someone who saw Phantom Menace in theaters at eight years old, it’s great to see McGregor and Christensen get the love they always deserved.
Hopefully, the duo will continue their Star Wars run.