Liam Neeson scoffs at his character’s ‘namby-pamby’ demise in “The Phantom Menace”: ‘Please, hardly a Grasp Jedi’

Some 26 years in the past, Liam Neeson took a lightsaber to the intestine — and he nonetheless isn't completely happy about it.

The actor, who starred as Jedi Grasp Qui-Gon Jinn in 1999's Star Wars: Episode 1 — The Phantom Menace, has admitted that he wasn't impressed along with his character's climactic demise, which occurred throughout his intense duel with nasty Sith Lord Darth Maul (Ray Park).

"I believed my demise was a bit namby-pamby," the British star just lately instructed GQ whereas trying again at a number of the main roles of his profession. "I'm presupposed to be a Grasp Jedi. My character fell for the, 'Oh, I'm going to your face! No, I'm not, I'm going to your abdomen.' 'Oh, you bought me!'"

Scoffing, Neeson rolled his eyes, "Like, oh, please. Hardly a Grasp Jedi."

Regardless of his disappointment in Qui-Gon's destiny, Neeson stated making The Phantom Menace was nonetheless a fantastic expertise. He particularly loved wielding a lightsaber, sound results and all.

"The primary time Ewan McGregor and I had to attract our lightsabers, I keep in mind we each made the sound at the very same time," Neeson recalled, mimicking the distinct hum of the kyber-crystal-powered blade. "I keep in mind George [Lucas] stated, 'Boys, you don't have to try this. We will add that stuff."

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Given his fond reminiscences from the set, Neeson was completely happy to oblige when the chance got here round for him to reprise his function for McGregor's Disney+ spinoff collection, Obi-Wan Kenobi.

"It was only one little scene," he recalled. "I kinda preferred that. It was only one line. It was good to recreate that and be with Ewan after 18, 20 years. It was candy."

As maverick Jedi Grasp Qui-Gon, Neeson appeared in solely the primary of the Star Wars prequels. He served as a sensible and mild mentor for Obi-Wan and deliberate to take younger Anakin (Jake Lloyd) beneath his wing as properly — till Darth Maul and his double lightsaber intervened. Ultimately, it fell upon his personal Padawan to mentor the Power-attuned little one, finally resulting in Anakin's flip to the darkish facet.

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Though Qui-Gon didn't dwell past the movie during which he was launched, Neeson has saved his relationship to the Star Wars universe alive and properly, lending his voice out to every part from the second prequel movie, Assault of the Clones, to the animated collection Star Wars: The Clone Wars. He additionally had a voice cameo in Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker.

So would Neeson ever reprise the function for greater than just some strains? The actor beforehand said that he's open to it, however he shrugged off the thought of main his personal spinoff collection.

"There's so many spinoffs of Star Wars. It's diluting it to me," he stated throughout a 2023 go to to Watch What Happens Live. "It's taken away the thriller and the magic, in a bizarre means."

Watch Neeson mirror on Qui-Gon's demise within the video above.

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