Ewan McGregor Reflects on Memorable Star Wars Blooper in Heartwarming Video

Ewan McGregor shared a memorable experience from his time on the Star Wars set in a viral video. During the filming of Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, McGregor took on the challenging role of a younger Obi-Wan Kenobi. With Alec Guinness' iconic portrayal in mind, McGregor had to step into big shoes. Despite the pressure, McGregor successfully portrayed the character's wit, strength, and sarcasm.

In a 2023 interview with Jonathan Ross, McGregor revealed the most challenging scene he filmed. It involved handing baby Luke over to Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru (whom McGregor amusingly referred to as "Aunt Peru"). McGregor also shared his experience of working in a green-screen environment, adding an interesting behind-the-scenes perspective.

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McGregor had to pretend he was riding a moving creature by rocking back and forth while standing still. Adding to the challenge, during the final shot, George Lucas instructed everyone to look up at the suns, but there were no suns in the green-screen set, leaving everyone confused. To make matters even more amusing, McGregor had invited his friends to watch the chaos unfold.

CGI Made The Star Wars Prequels An Incredible Test For Their Actors

Obi-Wan Kenobi prepares to go into the desert in Revenge of the Sith. - CGI Made The Star Wars Prequels An Incredible Test For Their Actors

George Lucas has always been at the forefront of special effects. When he returned to Star Wars in the '90s, it was because he believed technology had finally caught up with his imagination. This led to a lot of the use of computer-generated imagery (CGI) in filming the Star Wars prequel trilogy. As McGregor recalls, this posed a challenge for the actors, as they couldn't actually see the things they were interacting with. This made it difficult to engage with the set, as much of it relied on imagination.

The issue was particularly prominent during the Star Wars prequel trilogy. The technology was new and unfamiliar, leaving many actors struggling to adapt. According to McGregor, Lucas' guidance wasn't always as helpful as they had hoped.

Modern Star Wars has evolved beyond traditional methods, thanks to Disney utilizing the Volume - the latest in CGI technology. The Volume enables actors to interact with a large, curved LED screen displaying a realistic backdrop. If Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith was made today, the actors would have had a clear visual reference for scenes like the iconic twin suns.

Editor's P/S:

Ewan McGregor's experiences on the Star Wars set, as revealed in this article, provide a fascinating glimpse into the challenges and rewards of portraying iconic characters in a CGI-heavy environment. His candid recollections of the difficulties he faced, particularly in green-screen scenes, highlight the demanding nature of acting in a world where much of the environment is imagined. McGregor's ability to overcome these obstacles and deliver a memorable performance as Obi-Wan Kenobi is a testament to his skill and dedication.

The article also sheds light on the evolution of CGI in Star Wars, from the groundbreaking but challenging techniques used in the prequels to the more immersive and actor-friendly Volume technology employed in modern productions. This technological advancement has undoubtedly enhanced the actors' ability to engage with their surroundings and create more realistic and believable performances, making the Star Wars universe even more captivating for audiences worldwide.