Lucasfilm Will Reportedly Start Shooting Their OBI-WAN KENOBI Movie in 2019 in Belfast
It looks like Lucasfilm might be farther along on the development of their Obi-Wan Kenobi movie than previously thought. It seems they are looking to shoot the film in Belfast at Paint Hall studios in the Titanic Quarter. This is where HBO's Game of Thrones series is shot. According to the Belfast Telegraph, once production on Game of Thrones comes to an end, Lucasfilm will be moving in to start work on the Obi-Wan solo film. Apparently, they'll start shooting in 2019. Oh, and George Lucas even visited Belfast to check out the shooting locations for the new film.
Movie mogul Lucas was pictured eating out in swanky Holywood restaurant Noble during his short Belfast visit. The snap led to frenzied speculation as to why he was visiting the city.
It's understood that it was to give his seal of approval to the latest Star Wars spin-off being shot in Northern Ireland - a move that will pump millions of pounds into the local economy.
Lucas spent part of his time here last November being given a guided tour of the Paint Hall studios. Paint Hall sources said Lucas was hugely impressed by the Belfast studio.
I'm not sure why the location would need his seal of approval. Lucasfilm is making all kinds of Star Wars decisions without his approval. Not sure why he would have to visit the filming locations. Wouldn't it be crazy, though, if the reason he is their scoping things out is because he might be directing the film!? That's just speculation on my part, but... what if? That would certainly be unexpected because it's such a long shot. According to an insider:
"It was all very low key, only a few people knew that the old guy walking round the set was George Lucas. It was only when we were told about Star Wars coming here next year that it dawned on us that was why he was here before Christmas."
There was a report that Lucasfilm was looking to hire Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot, The Crown) to direct, but there's been no official confirmation that he's been hired, so at this point, anything could happen.
Ewan McGregor is expected to reprise his role in the film. This is definitely one of the most exciting projects that Lucasfilm has brewing and it will be great to see how it all comes together and how it eventually turns out.
I seriously doubt that George Lucas is going to helm the movie, but would you want to see him direct it?