A new image from the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi series shows Rupert Friend's Grand Inquisitor using his double-bladed spinning lightsaber. The show, which premieres on Disney+ next month, sees Ewan McGregor returning as the titular Jedi Master, alongside newcomers like Moses Ingram, Kumail Nanjiani, Sung Kang, and others. The Grand Inquisitor will serve as one of the show's primary villains, in addition to Ingram's Reva, Kang's Fifth Brother, and of course, Darth Vader.
The Grand Inquisitor—an otherwise unnamed Pau'an male—made his franchise debut in the animated series Star War: Rebels. A high-ranking Empire operative, he was responsible for hunting down the remaining Jedi in the years following Order 66, and took a special interest in rebel crew of the starship Ghost. Before his fall to the dark side, the Grand Inquisitor served as a Jedi Temple Guard, and was involved in the events surrounding the bombing of the Temple during the Clone Wars. In Obi-Wan Kenobi, Friend's inquisitor is one of many threats to Obi-Wan throughout his stakeout on Tatooine as he looks after a young Luke Skywalker, while the Empire continues its goal to eliminate all remaining Jedi.
In the cover story of the latest issue of Total Film magazine, a new image gives fans a closer look at Friend's Grand Inquisitor. In the photo, the Grand Inquisitor is seen wielding his signature double-bladed red lightsaber, presumably flanked by Stormtroopers. Check out the full image below:
This latest image implies that Disney is doubling down on their design choice for the Grand Inquisitor, after his live-action look gained its fair share of criticism from fans. But even though the Grand Inquisitor’s rounded head and not-so-yellow eyes doesn't exactly replicate his Rebels look, he certainly seems like he'll be a menacing villain in the Obi-Wan Kenobi show. While it's unclear just how large of a role the character will have in the upcoming series, the trailer and this recent photo do confirm that he will be present for at least some of the action. This sneak peek teases what could perhaps be an epic face-off against him and Obi-Wan, or anyone else who gets in the way of the Empire.
It'll be interesting to see if the show will feature flashbacks to the Clone Wars, where viewers could possibly get a glimpse at the Grand Inquisitor's past as a Jedi Temple Guard. But whether or not the series will explore his past, the Grand Inquisitor and other members of the Inquisitorius are sure to be a major threat to Obi-Wan as they ruthlessly hunt down him and other Jedi across the galaxy. Answers about the Grand Inquisitor’s role in the show and more will soon become clear when Obi-Wan Kenobi premieres.
Obi-Wan Kenobi premieres on Disney+ on May 27.
Source: Total Film
