What McGregor Did Next After Star Wars On Screen
- 01. Ewan McGregor's Star Wars Role and Complete Filmography Explained
- 02. Star Wars Appearances: Dates, Roles, and Box Office
- 03. Non-Star Wars Movies and TV Shows: A Complete List
- 04. What McGregor Did Next After Star Wars on Screen
- 05. Frequently Asked Questions
- 06. Why McGregor's Obi-Wan Remains Definitive for a New Generation
- 07. Complete Filmography Summary by Genre
Ewan McGregor's Star Wars Role and Complete Filmography Explained
Ewan McGregor portrayed Obi-Wan Kenobi in three Star Wars prequel films-Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999), Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002), and Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)-and later starred as the same character in the Disney+ miniseries Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022), which aired from May 27 to July 20, 2022, across six episodes.
Star Wars Appearances: Dates, Roles, and Box Office
McGregor's Star Wars legacy spans more than two decades, beginning with his casting announcement in 1997 and culminating in his critically praised return to the role in 2022. His performance brought emotional depth to a character originally played by Sir Alec Guinness, earning widespread acclaim for balancing stoicism with dry humor.
| Title | Release Date | Role | Global Box Office | Rotten Tomatoes Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace | May 19, 1999 | Obi-Wan Kenobi | $1.027 billion | 51% |
| Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones | May 16, 2002 | Obi-Wan Kenobi | $653.8 million | 66% |
| Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith | May 19, 2005 | Obi-Wan Kenobi | $868.4 million | 80% |
| Obi-Wan Kenobi (Disney+ Miniseries) | May 27 - July 20, 2022 | Obi-Wan Kenobi (Lead) | N/A (Streaming) | 82% |
The 2022 Obi-Wan Kenobi series marked McGregor's first live-action return to the role since 2005, receiving praise for its emotional exploration of the character after Order 66.
Non-Star Wars Movies and TV Shows: A Complete List
Beyond Star Wars, McGregor has built an impressive eclectic filmography spanning indie dramas, musicals, thrillers, and voice work. His breakthrough came with Danny Boyle's Trainspotting (1996), where he played heroin addict Mark Renton, launching him into international stardom just two years after his screen debut.
- Trainspotting (1996) - Mark Renton
- Shallow Grave (1994) - Alex Law
- Moulin Rouge! (2001) - Christian (musical romance)
- Big Fish (2003) - Young Edward Bloom
- Black Hawk Down (2001) - SWAT Sergeant Nick Grants
- The Island (2005) - Lincoln Six Echo / Tom Lincoln
- Angels & Demons (2009) - Robert Langdon
- Beginners (2010) - Oliver Fields
- Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2012) - Dr. Alfred Jones
- August: Osage County (2013) - Bill Fordham
- Beauty and the Beast (2017) - Lumière (voice)
- Fargo (Season 3, 2017) - Emmit/Stussy Sy (dual role)
- T2 Trainspotting (2017) - Mark Renton
- Raymond & Ray (2022) - Raymond
- Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022) - Cricket (voice)
- Mother, Couch (2023) - Actor & Executive Producer
He also voiced characters in animated films like Humpback Whales (2015, 100% RT score) and Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022, 96% RT score), demonstrating his versatility across genres.
What McGregor Did Next After Star Wars on Screen
After Revenge of the Sith concluded the prequel trilogy in May 2005, McGregor immediately diversified his career rather than chasing blockbuster sequels. He avoided typecasting by alternating between indie dramas and mainstream hits, occasionally criticizing big-budget Hollywood while remaining one of its most reliable performers.
- 2005-2007: Starred in The Island (2005), Last Legion (2007), and began American Pastoral directorial debut preparations
- 2010-2013: Earned critical acclaim in Beginners (2010) and Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2012)
- 2017: Played dual roles in Fargo Season 3 and reprised Renton in T2 Trainspotting
- 2019-2021: Focused on producing and selecting character-driven projects
- 2022: Returned to Star Wars as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Disney+ miniseries
During a 2016 Parade interview, McGregor admitted he "couldn't care less" about Star Wars at the time but remained open to returning if the right story emerged. His 2022 return fulfilled that condition, with the series filmed partly in London and Los Angeles over roughly five months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why McGregor's Obi-Wan Remains Definitive for a New Generation
McGregor's portrayal of Obi-Wan Kenobi is now considered essential to Star Wars lore, with critics calling him "the heart of Star Wars" because it's impossible to imagine the franchise without him today. His performance elevated green-screen-heavy sequences with genuine emotional weight, particularly in Revenge of the Sith during Anakin's fall to the dark side.
The 2022 miniseries further cemented his legacy by exploring Obi-Wan's trauma after Order 66, showing a vulnerable, exiled Jedi reconciling with his past failures. This depth resonated with fans long after the prequels initially received mixed reviews.
Complete Filmography Summary by Genre
McGregor's career demonstrates remarkable range, moving seamlessly between gritty indie dramas, lavish musicals, action thrillers, and family-friendly animation. His ability to anchor both $100M blockbusters and low-budget character studies keeps him relevant across decades.
| Genre | Key Titles | Years Active |
|---|---|---|
| Science Fiction / Star Wars | Prequel Trilogy, Obi-Wan Kenobi | 1999-2005, 2022-present |
| Indie Drama | Trainspotting, Beginners, Young Adam | 1994-present |
| Musical / Romance | Moulin Rouge!, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen | 2001-2012 |
| Action / Thriller | The Island, Black Hawk Down, Angels & Demons | 2001-2009 |
| Animation (Voice) | Pinocchio, Robots, Humpback Whales | 2005-2022 |
| Television | Fargo S3, Obi-Wan Kenobi | 2017, 2022 |
As of 2026, McGregor continues selecting high-impact character roles rather than chasing franchise fatigue, with upcoming projects including The End of Oak Street (2026) and The Land of Sometimes (2025, voice).
Expert answers to What Mcgregor Did Next After Star Wars On Screen queries
What Star Wars movies is Ewan McGregor in?
Ewan McGregor appears in three Star Wars prequel films: Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999), Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002), and Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005), all as Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Does Ewan McGregor play Obi-Wan in a TV show?
Yes. McGregor starred as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Disney+ miniseries Obi-Wan Kenobi, which premiered May 27, 2022, and concluded July 20, 2022, with six episodes total.
What was Ewan McGregor's first major movie role?
McGregor's breakthrough role was Mark Renton in Danny Boyle's Trainspotting (1996), released just two years after his screen debut in Shallow Grave (1994).
Did Ewan McGregor want to do more Star Wars after 2005?
Initially, McGregor expressed indifference toward Star Wars, telling Parade in 2016 that he "couldn't care less" about the franchise at the time, though he remained open to returning if the story justified it.
What is Ewan McGregor's highest-rated movie?
According to Rotten Tomatoes, his highest-rated feature is Humpback Whales (2015) at 100%, followed by Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022) at 96% and Trainspotting (1996) at 90%.
Has Ewan McGregor ever directed a film?
Yes. McGregor made his directorial debut with American Pastoral (2016), an adaptation of Philip Roth's novel, which he also produced.