Actor Liam Neeson recently shared why Star Wars fans should not expect to see Qui-Gon Jinn again in live-action.
In an interview with Screen Rant, Neeson opened up about the possibility of an animated or live-action return to Star Wars, saying, “I enjoyed very much being with Ewan [McGregor] and George Lucas on The Phantom Menace. We shot that 26 years ago! Would I do it again? I don’t think so. Too ******* old, ya know? I can’t see the situation, I really can’t, you know?”
Qui-Gon Jinn returned in Disney+’s Obi-Wan Kenobi
Neeson first appeared as Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn in the 1999 movie, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, serving as a mentor to Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi. Although Qui-Gon was killed by Darth Maul in The Phantom Menace, Neeson returned as a Force ghost in the series finale of the Disney+ limited series, Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022). He also voiced the character in Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2011-14) and Tales of the Jedi (2022), as well as in Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002) and The Rise of Skywalker (2019).
While Neeson’s time in the Star Wars galaxy looks to be over, his prequel trilogy co-star, Natalie Portman, recently expressed a desire to return as Luke and Leia’s mother, Padmé Amidala. In December 2023, the actor revealed that she would be “open” to reprising the role in a future Star Wars project, although “no one has asked” her to return yet.
The Phantom Menace heads back to the big screen
Directed by George Lucas, The Phantom Menace is set 32 years before the original Star Wars trilogy, during the Galactic Republic era, following Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan as they try to protect Queen Padmé Amidala of Naboo in hopes of securing a peaceful end to an interplanetary trade dispute. The duo must also deal with the mysterious return of the Sith, as well as a young slave named Anakin Skywalker, who boasts unusually strong Force abilities.
To celebrate the movie’s 25th anniversary, Disney and Lucasfilm will be rereleasing The Phantom Menace in theaters starting on May 3, 2024. The screenings will also offer Star Wars an exclusive look at the franchise’s new Disney+ series, The Acolyte, which premieres this June.
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace and Obi-Wan Kenobi are available to stream on Disney+.
