Obi-Wan's New Home References The 1976 Star Wars Novel
The trailer and promotional images for Obi-Wan Kenobi have shown the titular Jedi spending time in a new setting that, whether intentionally or not, references the Star Wars novelization from 1976. Obi-Wan Kenobi lives in a typical, albeit secluded Tatooine house in A New Hope and other material, but the house has yet to appear in any of Obi-Wan’s marketing material, showing the Jedi Master in a cave instead. Whether this is truly his first home or simply a spot to meditate and watch over Luke Skywalker, the setting connects Obi-Wan to the very first Star Wars property to be released.
Ghostwritten by Alan Dean Foster (under the guise of George Lucas), the Star Wars novelization was based on one of the final drafts of the film’s script. The book was released over six months before the film, making it the first Star Wars media to be released. The novel features few differences from the film, but the lore it introduces that isn’t shown in the film is part of the Legends continuity.
One of the few differences between the Star Wars novelization and the film is that Obi-Wan Kenobi’s home on Tatooine is described as a cave in the former, making this detail non-canon to the Legends continuity. In the film and all other Legends and canon material, Obi-Wan lives in a house, though the idea of him living in a well-furnished cave makes some sense, considering his status as a fugitive and a hermit, as far as Tatooine locals are concerned. In Obi-Wan, Ben Kenobi is only shown in a cave, perhaps as a first home, but referencing the 1976 novel regardless of intention.
The first trailer for Obi-Wan shows the Jedi Master at the entrance to a cave, watching over the Lars family from a distance. Promotional photos released around the time of the trailer show Kenobi in a cave as well, which may be the same one. The cave might be Kenobi’s temporary home on Tatooine, with his familiar house not having been acquired yet, or perhaps it’s a secondary locale that Obi-Wan goes to for both its view of the Lars Homestead and for its seclusion, allowing the Jedi Master to meditate.
The idea of Obi-Wan living in a cave instead of a house is fitting for his mission on Tatooine. Obi-Wan is not truly in exile, but rather playing the long game by watching over Luke and waiting for the right time to train him as a Jedi Knight. Kenobi needs to keep a low profile and is known as a crazy hermit by locals, which helps him stay inconspicuous. Living in a cave certainly helps Kenobi maintain this façade.
Of all the Disney+ Star Wars shows so far, Obi-Wan is the most closely connected to the main Star Wars saga films, since it stars a major prequel trilogy hero and depicts his mission between trilogies. With this in mind, it’s fitting that Obi-Wan now spends time in a cave, whether it’s a home, a vantage point, or simply a place to meditate, as it harkens back to the only Star Wars media to precede the 1977 film. The cave’s purpose in Obi-Wan Kenobi has yet to be explained, but it’s a fascinating new locale that may remind some fans of the Star Wars novelization from 1976.