Kumail Nanjiani Makes a Blink-and-You-Miss-It Appearance in Trailer of Disney+ Series ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’
- "Star Wars" fans take to social media to speculate about the actor’s character.
The highly-anticipated trailer of the new Disney+ series “Obi-Wan Kenobi” dropped on May 4. The “Star Wars” prequel stars Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen, who played Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader in “Attack of the Clones” and “Revenge of the Sith,” who reprise their roles. Along with the regular characters like Reva (Moses Ingram), Uncle Owen (Joel Edgerton) and Aunt Beru (Bonnie Piesse), the series is also set to introduce new slate characters, including Pakistani American actor Kumail Nanjiani and British Indian actress Indira Varma.
In fact, Nanjiani made it to the trailer as well, albeit for mere seconds. Obviously, very little could be deciphered from his blink-and-you-miss-it appearance, but that was enough for Star Wars fans to celebrate the star on social media.
Nanjiani was seen wearing what looks like a Jedi robe and appears to be hiding from the Inquisitors, who are featured prominently in the new trailer. Collider notes that it is “ exciting” to see that Nanjiani “isn’t voicing a droid or a non-human species.”
Nanjiani, who was most recently seen in Marvel’s “The Eternals,” took to Twitter to share his excitement on being a part of the “Star Wars” franchise.
The six-episode limited series is written by Joby Harold and directed by Deborah Chow, who made her “Star Wars” debut by directing Chapter 3 of the series. It is executive produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Michelle Rejwan, Chow, McGregor, and Harold.
Though it was originally scheduled to release on May 25, the anniversary of the 1977 release of “A New Hope,” the “Obi-Wan Kenobi“ series will now premiere two days later, on May 27.
Some of Nanjiani’s projects in the pipeline include a limited series adaptation of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ayad Akhtar’s “Homeland Elegies” for the Disney-owned cable outlet FX, which he will star and executive produce. It will be the first major television lead role for Nanjiani.
His prior small screen highlights include “Silicon Valley,” voicing Jesus on the animated series “Bless the Harts,” episodes of “The X-Files” and “Twilight Zone” as well as hosting an episode of “Saturday Night Live.”
Additionally, he is teaming up with his wife Emily V. Gordon to write “The Doubtful Guest,” based on the illustrated book by the late Edward Gorey. Andy Muschietti is set to direct the film, which will also star Nanjiani, who will also executive produce along with Gordon.