Darth Vader's Breathing In Obi-Wan Trailer Protects (& Hypes) His Role

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Disney+'s very first Obi-Wan Kenobi trailer hides Darth Vader, allowing only the slightest few notes of iconic heavy breathing — a restraint that protects his role in the show. As soon as Ewan McGregor was confirmed for his own Star Wars solo series, fans dared dream of a reunion between Obi-Wan and Hayden Christensen's Darth Vader. In December 2020, that announcement came like an early Christmas present, setting the Star Wars fandom alight with prequel nostalgia.

Disney's marketing machine is now in full swing ahead of the big May 25 premiere. First images have hit magazine pages, the Obi-Wan Kenobi trailer has finally released after several years of anticipation… and, curiously, Darth Vader is nowhere to be seen. The most marketable helmet in movie history sits at Disney's fingertips, but the only sign of Darth Vader comes during the dying moments of Obi-Wan Kenobi's trailer — a few seconds of instantly-recognizable breathing over the title card. Some Star Wars fans will inevitably feel a twinge of disappointment at being asked to wait for Vader's onscreen return, but this tantalizing audio tease is far more effective than any visual could've been.

Related: Obi-Wan Kenobi Risks Continuing Star Wars' Canon Problem

There's something poignant about Darth Vader's breathy presence in the Obi-Wan Kenobi trailer. The sound of Kenobi's fallen padawan lording over the "Obi-Wan Kenobi" title card feels pleasingly ominous — as if Vader is watching his old master from the shadows, silently (well, as silently as Darth Vader can manage) waiting for his chance at vengeance for Mustafar, Padmé, and every other grievance. Those simmering emotions are accentuated by the Obi-Wan Kenobi trailer's use of «Dark Deeds» by John Williams —