Star Wars Jedi: Survivor star Cameron Monaghan reveals a live-action Cal Kestis appearance is not his priority, but he would love to get the chance.
A live-action Star Wars appearance as Cal Kestis is not Cameron Monaghan’s priority. Lucasfilm introduced another Jedi who survived Order 66 in 2019 with the release of the Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order video game. Cameron Monaghan’s introduction as Cal Kestis immediately made fans want to see more of him. The game’s sequel, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, is now only a few months from releasing, but that is not the only Cal Kestis content Star Wars fans want. There has been a growing hope in recent years that Cameron Monaghan will return to play Cal Kestis in a live-action Star Wars Disney+ show.
Following the release of the first Star Wars Jedi: Survivor trailer, Cameron Monaghan spoke to EW about the highly anticipated sequel set for release on March 15, 2023. While the conversation primarily focused on what players can expect from the new game, the interview did eventually discuss the possibility of a Cal Kestis live-action appearance. Cameron Monaghan made it clear in his response that he would love to get that opportunity if it happens, but returning for a live-action Star Wars role is not his priority. He instead is keeping his focus on the video game franchise and Cal Kestis’ arc in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, and possibly beyond.
I love this character. They’re starting to explore him through other mediums — we have a novel coming up. It’s been really amazing doing it within the video game space because I think games are vastly under-explored and underutilized, and are only really getting their due in this moment — people are looking at games and seeing they’re incredible and moving and significant. So my priority right now is to make sure we have a satisfying arc within the games. What happens or where Star Wars wants to go from there is anybody’s guess, but I can say I love Cal and it’s been a joy finding him over the past few years. So we’ll see.
Cal Kestis’ Live-Action Star Wars Appearance Can’t Happen Yet
As much as audiences might want to see Cal Kestis in live-action and Cameron Monaghan return to play him, it is not the right time for that to happen. Cal Kestis and the Star Wars Jedi video game series are key to Lucasfilm’s plans on the video game side of making more Star Wars content. As long as Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is another success, there is a strong likelihood that a third entry in the franchise will be made. Telling a specific story across the games and delivering a great potential trilogy should be where the focus on Cal Kestis goes, which thankfully is what Cameron Monaghan wants.
The real trouble that would come with any live-action Cal Kestis appearance right now is how it would impact the Star Wars Jedi franchise. There is not really room for Cameron Monaghan to play Cal before Order 66 and the events of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. An appearance that takes place years later, even after Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, would risk spoiling Cal Kestis’ story. It would in some way pigeonhole the video games to make sure Cal’s future could still include what happened in a Star Wars Disney+ show or movie.
Will Cal Kestis Get A Live-Action Star Wars Disney+ Show?
Whenever the Star Wars Jedi video game franchise concludes, that could be when Cal Kestis gets a live-action Star Wars Disney+ show starring Cameron Monaghan. Since the character design is based around the actor’s real-life look, it would be a seamless transition. A Cal Kestis Disney+ show would also be a great way to bring more audiences to discover Monaghan’s Jedi character. Rumors have circulated that such a show is already in development after Cal Kestis was not in Obi-Wan Kenobi as speculated. Given Cal Kestis’ rising popularity, though, a live-action Star Wars appearance in some form does seem likely.
Source: EW
