Zach Braff and James Earl Jones? Obi-Wan Kenobi Episode 3’s big cameos, explained
Star Wars is giving fans a different reason to watch the credits.
Marvel Studios turned movie credits into an event with its post-credits scenes, but Star Wars has come up with a new reason for fans to stick around in the age of streaming. Lucasfilm’s Disney+ shows are full of unexpected cameos, and Obi-Wan Kenobi is no different.
Obi-Wan Kenobi Episode 3 features surprise appearances from not just one but two actors: Zach Braff and James Earl Jones. But who do they play? Let’s dive in. (Spoilers ahead!)
Zach Braff in Obi-Wan Kenobi Episode 3
If you noticed the Scrubs star’s name in Kenobi’s credits you might be surprised. Braff’s face is never visible in Episode 3. However, there’s a decent chance you’ve already guessed who he played... it’s Freck, the alien driver who picks up Obi-Wan and Leia on the side of the road and promptly rats them out to the Empire.
Freck (Zach Braff) in Obi-Wan Kenobi.
We don’t know much about Zach Braff’s character, except that he seemingly loves the Empire for bringing a little order to the outskirts of the galaxy. Of course, this comes moments after Obi-Wan points out that the planet they’re on used to be full of farms and families before the Empire showed up and turned it into a strip-mining operation. It’s possible both sides of the debate are at least partially right, but we’re gonna side with General Kenobi on this one. Sorry, Freck.
James Earl Jones in Obi-Wan Kenobi Episode 3
James Earl Jones at the premiere of Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones.
This one is a bit more obvious. As the credits make clear, James Earl Jones is officially back as the voice of Darth Vader. Before Obi-Wan Kenobi’s premiere, fans wondered if Jones would return. Now we have our answer.
Of course, this raises an even bigger question. If Jones is voicing Vader, then what exactly is Hayden Christensen here for? We assume the Anakin Skywalker actor is physically in the suit in Obi-Wan Kenobi Episode 3 when Vader fights his old master. We also assume we’re going to get more Hayden eventually — maybe in a flashback — but we’re definitely not mad to be hearing Vader’s familiar voice once again.
Obi-Wan Kenobi is streaming on Disney+.
