"Actor Liam Neeson speaks out against his own 'Star Wars' scene"
In an interview with GQ, Liam Neeson, who played the iconic role of Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, expressed dissatisfaction with his character's death scene. Neeson felt it was unconvincing for a Master Jedi like Qui-Gon to be defeated in such a manner, specifically criticizing the dialogue and choreography where Qui-Gon is fooled by Darth Maul's feint[1][2][4][5].
Neeson elaborated, saying it was like, "'Oh, I'm going for your face! No, I'm not, I'm going for your stomach!' 'Oh! You got me!' It's like, 'Oh, please. Hardly a master Jedi.'" Despite this critique, Neeson enjoyed much of his experience working on the film overall.
Qui-Gon Jinn was portrayed as hesitant during his death scene in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. Neeson's character was supposed to be a Master Jedi, and he believed that the lightsaber fight between Qui-Gon Jinn and Darth Maul is one of the best scenes in the film, despite his criticisms[6].
It is unclear if Neeson's comments about his character's death scene were made in jest or if he was expressing genuine disappointment. However, it is worth noting that George Lucas, the director of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, instructed Neeson and Ewan McGregor, who played Obi-Wan Kenobi, not to make the lightsaber sound simultaneously during their first fight scene, as it could be added later[3].
Despite these criticisms, Neeson reprised his role as Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn in the Disney Plus show Obi-Wan Kenobi, which was released in 2022[7]. Qui-Gon Jinn was involved in a fight to protect Natalia Portman's character, Padme Amidala of Naboo, in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.
References:
- GQ Interview with Liam Neeson
- Collider Interview with Liam Neeson
- Star Wars Insider Magazine
- Empire Magazine Interview with Liam Neeson
- Den of Geek Interview with Liam Neeson
- CinemaBlend Interview with Liam Neeson
- StarWars.com Article on Obi-Wan Kenobi
Movies-and-TV, such as Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, often feature entertainment provided by celebrities like Liam Neeson, who played Qui-Gon Jinn. Neeson expressed concerns about his character's death scene, finding it unconvincing for a Master Jedi like Qui-Gon.
