Obi-Wan Kenobi finale includes one detail that changes a key Vader scene in Return of the Jedi

Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 4
(Image credit: Disney/Lucasfilm)

A new Star Wars fan theory suggests the Obi-Wan Kenobi finale has answered a lingering original trilogy question involving Darth Vader. Spoilers for Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 6 follow.

Darth Vader unmasking himself as he lay dying at the end of Return of the Jedi has stayed with several generations of Star Wars fans. You’ve probably noticed the wound on his head dozens of times too. How did the Sith Lord (then played by Sebastian Shaw) get the battle scar? The smart money may have been during the events of Revenge of the Sith on Mustafar which left Anakin broken and beaten on the lava banks of the fiery planet. But, as some on social media have pointed out, it’s possible that Obi-Wan actually caused the injury during the events of the Obi-Wan Kenobi finale.

Obi-Wan and Vader fought on an unnamed planet midway through the sixth episode. Each took some serious blows too; Obi-Wan was buried under rubble, while the Jedi Master eventually struck back with an onslaught of rocks, including one that pierces Vader’s mask and – potentially – causes the scarring that sticks with him decades later. Mind. Blown.

Obi-Wan Kenobi

(Image credit: Lucasfilm)

Some fans, however, are divided – pointing to Anakin’s near-fatal injuries in Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith as proof enough that the scarring was caused then. Others, though, have clapped back – saying that it’s perfectly feasible that a barrage of rocks would deepen the wound further, especially as the episode makes a pointed reference to the left side of his face being badly damaged by Obi-Wan’s attacks.

The jury is still out on this one, then. Still, it’s a cool detail that likely fills in even more gaps in Obi-Wan’s lost chapter between the prequels and the original trilogy than we originally realized.

Need more Obi-Wan in your life? Here’s what’s been said so far about a potential Obi-Wan Kenobi season 2.

TOPICS
Bradley Russell

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.

Read more
Darth Vader rising
20 years later, Star Wars fans are reflecting on one of the saga's most poignant moments
Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith
Star Wars fans think they've found a prequels plot hole involving Anakin Skywalker
Andor
Star Wars fans are debating the saga's darkest moment, and it's reminding us how messed up the galaxy actually is
Liam Neeson in The Phantom Menace
"Wise mentor" or "awful Jedi"? Star Wars fans are debating if Qui-Gon Jinn is to blame for Anakin's turn to the dark side
Watto in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
A Star Wars comic killed off a minor prequels character and the internet is in mourning
Neel in Skeleton Crew
Skeleton Crew ending explained: the truth about the Supervisor, Jod's Jedi abilities, and more
Latest in Star Wars TV Shows
Ben Mendelsohn in Andor season 2
Andor season 2 could be about to turn one of the darkest events in Star Wars even darker
The Death Star in the Andor season 2 trailer
New Andor season 2 trailer is an intense new look at the returning Star Wars show that sees the Rebels discover the Death Star
Star Wars Visions anime
First look at Star Wars anime Visions season 3 is a "psychedelic battle" exploring the "tormented psyche" of a stormtrooper
Diego Luna as Cassian Andor in Andor season 2
Andor showrunner Tony Gilroy says his Star Wars show is trying to be "more serious about this sh*t than anybody ever has been"
The Mandalorian and Boba Fett
George Lucas' unmade Star Wars show was so expensive and risky that it would have cost $40 million per episode and “blown up the whole Star Wars universe"
Diego Luna in Andor season 2
Andor season 2 showrunner Tony Gilroy calls Cassian “Star Wars Jesus” ahead of the show’s return on Disney Plus
Latest in News
Lunar Remastered Collection
"Will today’s players still enjoy a game from 30 years ago?": JRPG icon Kei Shigema says he was thrilled to see Lunar getting a remaster even if he's not involved himself
Nick Offerman as Bill and Murray Bartlett as Frank in The Last of Us episode 3
The Last of Us season 2 showrunners tease a "gorgeous" episode akin to season 1’s Emmy-nominated Bill and Frank story: "Just you wait"
The Witcher 4 screenshot with Ciri using sword and sorcery to fight an ancient monster
CD Projekt boss says "cutting-edge single-player games" – you know, like The Witcher 4 and Cyberpunk 2 – will "continue to enjoy great popularity" despite industry shifts
Cyberpunk 2077
Despite releasing exactly zero new games, CD Projekt bagged $120 million in profit for 2024 – the Witcher and Cyberpunk studio's third-best result ever
Muse
Daredevil: Born Again midseason trailer teases Matt Murdock’s violent fight with Muse, including a gory scene straight from the comics
Batman looking over the city during Batman: Arkham City, one of the best PS3 games.
The PS2 Batman Begins game was considered such a "disaster" that Christopher Nolan turned down a Dark Knight-inspired game