Thanks to insider Jeff Grubb, fans know a lot aboutStar Wars Jedi: Fallen Order 2. He had previously stated that it would berevealed at Star Wars Celebrationand has remained adamant about that. He has also stated that it would release on current-gen consoles only, meaning PS5 and Xbox Series X, and he recently doubled down on its 2023 release window.
SPOILERS FOR STAR WARS JEDI: FALLEN ORDER AHEADThat’s not all, though. Jeff Grubb has recently stated that the official title isn’tStar Wars Jedi: Fallen Order 2, butStar Wars Jedi: Survivor(as transcribed by VGC from his recent Grubbsnax show). This new subtitle means big changes could be coming to the next entry in the franchise, and while this is pure speculation on the title changes, it stands to reason that it could feature a new protagonist. And there’s a strong case that the new protagonist could be Obi-Wan Kenobi.
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Why Cal May Not Be Star Wars Jedi: Survivor’s Protagonist
Sometimes, punctuation matters little in a title, but that’s not the case forStar Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. Respawn intentionally placed the colon after Jedi, and this naming convention is important. “Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order” would imply that it’s aStar Warsgame harping on the Fallen Order. “Star Wars Jedi:” could imply that this is not a direct series of sequels, but a more anthological approach based on Jedi in theStar Warsuniverse. Obviously,Fallen Order 2would likely continueCal Kestis’ story, but this is reportedly notFallen Order 2.
Fallen Order 2, also, would be a bit redundant. In the first game, Cal and friends seek aJedi Holocroncontaining a list of Force-Sensitive children across the galaxy. They pursue it to rebuild the fallen Jedi order, but at the end of the game, Cal destroys it so the Empire cannot get their hands on it. In other words, the idea of rebuilding the fallen order—central to this game and to its title—is no longer relevant outside of indicating a potential direct sequel.
IfStar Wars Jedi,then, is meant to be more of an anthological approach, the subtitle has to reflect the character and story.Survivorcould arguably fit Cal Kestis, but that would be more of the past than the present. Cal is no longer cowering from the Empire, forced into hiding and trying to survive. He is looking for his next adventure. Now, if Cal isn’t the protagonist, that doesn’t mean he won’t appear inStar Wars Jedi: Survivoror somewhere else down the line, but Cal’s story may be done for now.
Why Obi-Wan Kenobi is a Good Fit for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
This begs an important question: if not Cal, then who? This is pure speculation, but past comments could indicateObi-Wan Kenobiplaying a role in the game, and if that game doesn’t have Cal and isn’tStar Wars Jedi: Fallen Order 2, then he could be the lead role.
During a recent interview on the Jimmy Kimmel show, Obi-Wan actor Ewan McGregor discussed a variety of topics related toStar Wars. He specifically praisedObi-Wan Kenobi director Deborah Chowfor her understanding of the greaterStar Warsmultimedia universe. The most important bit was where he said that allStar Warsstorylines have to add up and that there can’t be “some fact in a video game that doesn’t match up with the movie.”
Many have understandably taken this as a hint towardObi-Wan Kenobiand the newStar Wars Jedigame. At the time, this suggestion could have meant that Obi-Wan appears in the newStar Wars Jedigame, perhaps as a cameo or important side character, or that Cal could make his live-action appearance inObi-Wan Kenobi. Either of these could remain true, and the latter doesn’t really contradict anything about this theory.
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But the title ofStar Wars Jedi 2could add a different context to these comments. If this is an anthological series and Cal isn’t the protagonist, then McGregor could have been slyly remarking about the show storyline adding up with Obi-Wan’s game storyline. It lines up perfectly. Disney Plus’Obi-Wan Kenobiis 10 years afterRevenge of the Sith, which means there are another 8 or so years beforeA New Hope. The show could showObi-Wan’s encounter with the inquisitors and Darth Vader, while the game shows what happens after.
Survivorwould be a fitting subtitle for a game featuring Obi-Wan. No matter what happens in the show, fans know that Obi-Wan must hide from the empire and continue to survive for another 8 years. Plenty of stories likethe Disney Plusshow could fill this time, and it makes more sense to call Obi-Wan, who is on his own, a survivor than it does Cal.
There is the timing to consider, too. The first two episodes ofObi-Wan Kenobipremiere on May 27; Grubb has said thatStar Wars Jedi 2will “100%” be at Star Wars Celebration, which takes place May 26-May 29. A new game with a new protagonist doesn’t take away from the show, but airing the show and shortly after confirming that there will be a game with Obi-Wan Kenobi would 100% be the power playEA needs as itsStar Warsexclusivity contractcomes to an end.
This theory admittedly draws connections between things that may not be connected, and it’s likely nothing is known for sure until the Star Wars Celebration. But an Obi-Wan Kenobi game reveal following the show would be a huge way to end the month. Ewan McGregor has appeared in one game before, playing Obi-Wan Kenobi in the PSP version ofStar Wars: The Force Unleashed, so while it does seem unlikely, it’s not impossible.
If Not Obi-Wan or Cal for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Then Who?
Now, it could be thatStar Wars Jedibeing an anthological series holds true (or doesn’t), but that McGregor’s comment amounts to a cameo orCal Kestis’ live-action appearanceand nothing more. This poses another question: if not Cal or Obi-Wan, then who?
A former Respawn employee recently commented that many of the devs onStar Wars Jedi: Fallen Orderwanted the protagonist to be “black and/or a woman.”Thus, either a new character or perhapsJedi: Fallen Order’s Cere would be good to step into this role and fulfill the devs’ original desire. Ultimately, a new character is the most likely option for an anthological series, if a powerhouse like Obi-Wan Kenobi is not an option.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivorreportedly releases in 2023 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
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