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Following the release of the new Obi-Wan Kenobi mini-series, Star Wars fans have reflected on late actor Alec Guinness’ portrayal of the character.
Fans were first introduced to Obi-Wan Kenobi in the 1977 film as Guinness took on the role. Actor Ewan McGregor has since portrayed the character and reprised the role in the new series.
Obi-Wan Kenobi dropped on Disney+ on Friday, with some fans having wondered what age Alec Guinness was in the classic Star Wars film. Let’s take a look…
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What was Alec Guinness’ age in Star Wars?
According to the 1977 film’s IMDb page, filming for Star Wars began in March 1976 and ended in January the following year.
However, the film was actually in production for a total of four years between 1973 and 1977. It premiered in May 1997 when it hit cinemas across the US.
Alec Guinness, who portrayed Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars, was born on 2 April 1914. This would mean he would have been 58 years old when production began and 62 during most of its filming.
He would have also celebrated his 63rd birthday a month before the film’s May release.
Guinness’ acting career went on to span six decades before he sadly passed away, aged 86, in 2000.
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Ewan McGregor was 6 when the 1977 film premiered
Ewan McGregor was born on 31 March 1971, which would mean he would have been just six years old when Alec Guinness first portrayed Obi-Wan Kenobi on-screen.
Ewan McGregor first took on the role of the younger Obi-Wan in 1999 film The Phantom Menace and would have been 28 when it premiered. The now 51-year-old actor has since reprised his role as he stars within the new mini-series.
McGregor recently opened up about how he is now closer to Guinness’ age when the 1977 film was released.
While chatting to The Project, he said: “Now I’m closer to him in age — I didn’t realize he was 63 when he made [Star Wars]. I’m getting closer to that age now. As I get closer to him, I have to be more like him, I suppose.”
